After three albums consisting solely of epic tracks lasting more than 9 minutes, and a growing rfondness for experimentation which earned them some harsh reviews, Yes is again joined in 1977 by rWakeman, and aims for a return to its rather "classic rock" roots. When compared to the esoteric rand ambitious collection Tales from Topographic Ocean and the chaotic jazz-infused rocker Relayer, rGoing for the One perhaps shows the first signs of the subsequent mainstream turn the group would rtake a few years later. Indeed, we are generally done with long, complex instrumental moments ; rthe quality of the composition rather ranks on the side of the weaving of great melodies, the rvoice again being at the forefront. We found songs lasting between 3 and 8 minutes - with one rexception - yet written in a completely different fashion than on the band's first few albums. But rit still is a return to their roots - for lack of a better term - and a well-handled one. Between rthe rock 'n' roll influences of the title-song and Parallels, the calm acoustic tracks and the rinteresting but slightly pompous Awaken, we are still certainly within the Yes universe, but with ra newfound melodic focus and a more instant character. In the end, although not nearly as bold and rinteresting as its predecessors, Going for the One is rewarding in its sturdy songwriting, and roffers us some of Yes's most melodically endearing pieces and genuinely heartfelt moments.
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