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Review Summary: This isn’t a classic Yes’ album. Although, this debut work of Yes is a very decent piece and a good starting point. “Yes” is the eponymous debut studio album of Yes and was released in 1969. The line up on the album is Jon Anderson, Peter Banks, Tony Kaye, Chris Squire and Bill Bruford.
Yes was founded in 1968 by vocalist Jon Anderson and bassist Chris Squire. In May 1968, Squire met Anderson in a Soho nightclub, where Anderson was working with a band. As they had a common interest in vocal harmony they began working together. After a while, both decided they needed a new drummer and Bill Bruford was recruited from an ad in Melody Maker. As the previous guitarist Clive Bailey left the band, Peter Banks joined them and soon another new member also joined the group too, the keyboardist Tony Kaye. After the entry of Tony Kaye, the band was complete and they adopted the name Yes. The name was suggested by Banks, with the argument that the word would be highlighted in advertising posters. According to Anderson, the name was accepted because it represented a very positive word.
“Yes” is considered one of the first progressive rock albums in the history of rock. Although Yes’ debut album isn’t exactly what they’re remembered most for, but still is a decent piece of proto-prog. From quite obvious reasons this is also their most 60’s influenced album. Two of the tracks, “Beyond And Before” and “Sweetness” dates back from the time when Anderson and Squire were in a band called Mabel Greer’s Toyshop. Some of Yes’ trademarks can already been heard here, like the falsetto vocal harmonies and the powerful and distinctive bass playing of Squire. But, this is of course a much more basic and rougher album than their following symphonic prog rock classics from the 70’s.
The lyrics on “Yes” aren’t as mature as the lyrics on future Yes’ albums. Topics range from war to love. Love has always been a neglected topic in progressive rock music. It’s a bit awkward that all this intricate music is being paired up with this subject matter. But you have to realize that Yes probably did this to break into the mainstream. I don’t blame them one bit. Anderson is a gentle man who can deliver vocally with his angelically tenor voice. But, he hasn’t yet developed his tantric-shmantric passions. Actually, he even writes love songs and it doesn’t matter that the lyrics aren’t innovative for a song. They’re still love songs at that. And love songs don’t have to be properly innovative.
People often overlook Yes’ early albums in favour of their more mainstream albums in the 70’s. Still, Yes has a lot to offer musically, even in their infancy. The line up started out a bit different, as we know. Instead of Steve Howe, we have Banks. He takes less chance in his playing but he still did a great job on the album. The same could be said about Tony Kaye. While the music may not be as dynamic or as progressive as their later works, it’s still interesting to listen to. Anderson’s voice resonates through every verse and chorus he sings. I truly believe he is one of the best singers in progressive rock. Bruford and Squire show their technical prowess. So, here we have the ingredients to have a nice job.
About the tracks, every single track on this album is nice and good. It opens with an enthusiastic and moving song called “Beyond And Before”. Yes continues to get more interesting as the tracks play on. “Survival” remains the classic track from this album, and it’s also the track with most glimpses of what Yes later would do. The bass riff is one of Yes’ best. “Yesterday And Today” is a beautiful and atmospheric little tune, but the other ballad on the album “Sweetness” is all too sweet and fluffy. “Looking Around” and “Beyond And Before” are a kind of a late 60’s progressive power pop driven by the excellent Hammond work of Kaye and the gutsy guitar playing of Banks. “Looking Around” has been known to get caught in my head at the most random times possible. “Harold Land” is another pretty tune with progressive tendencies and good melodies. They also covered The Byrds’ “I See You” and The Beatles’ “Every Little Thing” in a very refreshing and convincing way. Both are executed greatly and surpass the originals. They transformed “Every Little Thing” from a simple pop rock song into a good prog track. Only a great band would able to can do that.
Conclusion: “Yes” is a good debut album of the group. Despite two of the songs are covers and only two other songs, “Harold Land” and “Survival”, can be considered great tracks, this is a very interesting debut musical work, because even the cover songs are good and interesting versions of the original songs. If we compare this debut studio album with other debut studio albums of some other great prog bands from the 70’s, we can say that “Yes” is better than “From Genesis To Revelation” of Genesis, is as good as “The Aerosol Grey Machine” of Van Der Graaf Generator but is far away from being as good as “In The Court Of The Crimson King” of King Crimson. So, all in all, “Yes” marked, definitely, a very decent and solid starting point for a band that would become as one of the greatest progressive rock bands ever. In reality, all of the elements of classic Yes are featured, albeit not to the epic proportions in later albums.
Music was my first love.
John Miles (Rebel)
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Album Rating: 3.0
Initially, my intention in what I decided to call the wonderful music world of Yes, was only review the classic albums of Yes. And as we know all began in "The Yes Album" and ended on "Relayer". However, soon I decided to add "Tormato" too. Why? If it's true that the album isn't a classic Yes' album it belongs too that era because "Tormato" represents the end of an era in Yes and the end of one of their best line up too.
But more recently I decided to add their first two albums too. The idea was given to me by Intruder, when he said:
"It's a pity you have not reviewed the two first albums of Yes. It would be nice too."
So, I thought he was right. It it's true that tey aren't classic albums of Yes, but they show the birth and the first steps of Yes. Besides, they aren't bad albums and show a different line up and a different side of Yes. So, here it's the review of the first one and the next one will be about "Time And A Word".
About "Yes", and as I said before, it represents the first steps of the band. It's their album with a sound more close to the sound of the 60's, which isn't a surprise, shows a different line up and is also an album, like "Time And A Word", with some songs which weren't written by the band. It only happened in these two first albums. It isn't a masterpiece but represents a very decent work and good starting point for Yes. Besides, some of Yes’ trademarks can already been heard on this album. I hope you can revisit this album again and enjoy, some simple but good moments on this debut album of Yes.
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
I never thought that my comment made you revise these two albums. Still, I'm flattered with the idea. I think they deserve better attention that they had till this moment. I have not much time to read your review, (I am a very busy man), lengthy and complete as always, so, I will tell you something later about it. Meanwhile, pos due to the idea. Still, I think it will be great as the others.
| | | Album Rating: 3.0
Thanks Intruder by the pos, the comment and the idea. As I wrote before, you was right. My journey would be incomplete without these two albums. So, thanks again.
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
I think your English is improving, outside of some errors here and there I'd say the only one that truly sticks out is the sentence that closes the penultimate paragraph. Interesting review, I appreciate the anecdotes about the band.
I really like this album. It has a lot of raw energy in the playing but it's also pretty. My favorites are I See You (from ~5:10 it's just scorching), Every Little Thing and Survival
| | | Album Rating: 3.0
Thanks, Sab. I really always search to improve my English. But as almost a self-taught, it isn't an easy task. It has been very useful for me to write so many times in English in these last years. I think with the time and commitment we can be better and better.
I'm glad you liked the review too. And yes, the album is better than many people think.
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I like this a lot more than you but glad to see some Yes on front page again. if anyone hasn't heard this, do yourself a favor and do the first four tracks in order
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also when the piano refrain hits around 2:00 in Yesterday and Today, the world seems like a better place
| | | Album Rating: 2.5
Good review. It's interesting to me how much the music industry has changed. Back in the '60s and '70s, bands were given the luxury to grow, so that many of the giants of rock (Yes, Pink Floyd, The Who, Jethro Tull) were able to put out a number of albums before they grew into their best and most lasting work. Nowadays, too often, it seems like many bands' best albums are their first ones, and they start to slide backwards after that.
| | | Album Rating: 3.0
@Diva, good reflexion. I guess it depends if the core of a band remains solid. The more a band is tight and work together, the more mature they become, and they find their sound and identity pretty fast, and so they keep on growing. In these conditions, the band can keep on releasing albums. On the other hand, there's often a rotation of the personal into nowadays' bands, and they are not always able to do more than one hit or two, so their subsequent efforts don't meet the expectations, so all they can do in this case is a one shot winner.
@e21, The first Yes effort is good, but nothing to do with their classic sound. At least, we have Squire, Anderson and Bruford. I think Bruford and Banks were good partners since they both were into jazz vibes. But the classical style of Steve Howe is missing big time. And imagine if Wakeman was aboard. The sound of this album is raw and rough, and is leaning towards psychedelic rock of the 60s. Not much prog to be found here. I find that Anderson's vocals are quite fragile and uncertain at places. I think that only ''Survival'' shows the good things to come. Song is ahead of its time. I prefer Time and a Word over this one. Album is more mature, and is closer to the Yes sound.
Nice review, my friend.
| | | Album Rating: 3.0
Thanks Moto for your comment. It's nice to see some interest on reviews about Yes' albums, even nowadays.
| | | Album Rating: 3.0
Good reflection Diva. Usually we never thought that but you're right. In the 60's and in the 70's that was possible and we could see grew so many bands because the record labels gave them the time to became more mature. I think it started to change in the 80's. In our days, very often, the artists must be matures since the first minute. That is really a pity because that isn't a natural thing. Usually it end with the future of great talented artists.
Thanks, my friend.
| | | Album Rating: 3.0
I agree with you Jethro. The seeds were there but its sound is raw and rough and it sounds too much to the 60's. And yes, "Survival" is the best track that shows the good things to come in the future. I also prefer "Time And A Word". It's more mature and close to the real Yes' sound, indeed. But we will speak about it in the next week on its review.
Thanks, my friend.
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
I was sure that I was right. Excellent review, very informative in the line of the others. The album is very good and deserves more attention. Thanks for that. Continue your good work.
| | | Album Rating: 3.0
Thanks, bro. It's always a pleasure to see our work recognized. Cheers.
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
I have always loved this, it is a starting point, but I think it is more, survival, the covers, harold Land, all great
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
bump up the overall rating Motoman, rate this
| | | Album Rating: 3.0
Thanks for your comment, wham. Despite I don't love the album so much as you, I agree that "Survival", "Harold Land" and the covers are very good tracks, probably the best tracks on the album.
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"I have always loved this, it is a starting point, but I think it is more, survival, the covers, harold Land, all great"
yeah kinda surprised to see everyone rating this as just OK. i've always thought this was a very strong cut of classic rock with prog-tendencies, a few of my favorite Yes tracks are on here. it obviously pales in comparison to something like Close to the Edge or Relayer, but overall still think this is a gem.
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"bump up the overall rating Motoman, rate this"
i only use this account to rate new (to me) albums that i listen to while at work, as a reminder to download when i get home. i'll make an exception for you though whammy! strong 4/5 it is
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
u da man, I rate things I comment on.
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