After recording their second studio album (Time And A Word), Yes had their first major lineup switch - original guitarist Peter Banks was replaced by Steve Howe. This wouldn't be the first lineup change in the band's history, but on might argue that it was the most significant (Rick Wakeman notwithstanding). Whereas the first two albums found the band in many different genres (and finding their footing), their third album was the start of the truly "progressive" era for the band, a style that has continued to this day. Peter agrees in his review where he states that "This is the first truly essential Yes album, wherein all the masterful elements that would later typify the Yes sound were magnificently present." Sure, there's no Rick Wakeman (he would arrive on the following album, Fragile) but Tony Kaye fits in perfectly on keys here. The songs themselves aren't as diverse as their later, more progressive material, but don't let that distract you here; the songs here are nothing sort of brilliant. Chris agrees, stating that "...The Yes Album is probably the most relaxed album and although the albums that followed this one are produced better and show much more experimentation and epic musicianship, the toned down, simplistic songs here are solid gold..." What to expect, then? Musically, the band (Jon Anderson, Bill Bruford, Chris Squire, Tony Kaye & Steve Howe) deliver the goods in a way that almost 40 years later still resonates. Who can forget the ending of Starship Trooper? How about the sing along I've Seen All Good People - used to this day in commercials in the USA. The last word can be left to Kwis Payne where she states that "...this is the album where Yes really became the band they had always dreamed of."
For more information on Yes, please check out the following links:
The official Yes website
Yes on ProgArchives
Yes on Wikipedia
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