I decided to launch a new series to imagine myself as a critic at the end of the 60s and start of the 70s, and to rectify certain reviews from Rolling Stone magazine and Creem. This not meant to be contrarian, but to offer a more balanced perspective. All the albums reviewed are indeed classic albums.
Yes – The
Yes Album
(1971)
*****
Producers:
Yes, Eddie Offord
Musicians:
Jon Anderson, Steve Howe, Chris Squire, Tony Kaye, Bill Bruford, Colin Goldring
Songs and
Music: Yours Is No Disgrace, The Clap, Starship Trooper (a. Life Seeker b.
Disillusion c. Wurm), I’ve Seen All Good People (a. Your Move b. All Good People), A Venture, Perpetual
Change
Reviewed
By Matthew Anthony Allair
As a follow up to the prior years’ Time And A Word or the first album from 1969, The introduction of Steve Howe as a player is very different from Peter Banks, but his inclusion reflects real growth for the band, the prior album’s use of an orchestra seemed too self-conscious of The Moody Blues, or Pink Floyd’s Atom Heart Mother for my taste. The band has gone back to basics and this feels like a reset. In addition, the change of producers from Colton to Offord has helped to give them a new focus. To say that the playing between Howe, Squire, Bruford and Kaye is exceptional would be an understatement. Often the vocals between Anderson and Squire have a synergy to them that distinguishes this band. While the album only features five songs and one instrumental, it indeed packs a wallop and doesn’t’ wear out it’s welcome. Welther or not this band are the denizens of King Crimson is hard to access, but I can say it’s possible.
The
dynamics of “Yours Is No Disgrace” establishes an impressive tone. The opening
rock section has a lifting quality, the band sits back with the vocals before
the propulsive support with the verses, when you think you have reached a
comfort zone, there’s a laid-back swing grove that reframes it. Although the
core of it repeats, it manages to find interesting variations. The breakdown
takes it to another level with some expressive guitar work from Howe, that
swing section is represented with a folk a flavor. It all resolves with an
ascending quality. Recorded live, “The Clap” is a showcase for Howe with an
acoustic bluegrass excursion. “Starship Trooper” opens with a nod to the late
sixties with some dexterous guitar and bass work, the first section “Life
Seeker” seems to set up a narrative, the shift with the light bluegrass folk of
“Disillusion” before another band shift again. The closer “Wurm” has a
meditative anthem quality, Tony Kaye builds up some nice support before Howe
rides out the solo.
The second
half also moves at a brisk pace, the Two part “I’ve Seen All Good People”,
opens with “a. Your Move” the acapella
establishes the feeling before a bright folk feel of the number, as well some
tasteful recorder work, in the midst of the Organ, there’s a nice quote to
Lennon’s “Give Peace A Chance”. The old school rock of “b. All Good People” has
a bright rockabilly sensibility with some fine piano work, Howe sounds
liberated at this moment. The gothic organ takes over in the resolution. A
track that is definitely in the running for radio attention. A moody piano
eases into the pensive pop of “A Venture”, the interplay between the guitar and
piano is compelling. But Squire and Bruford opens up the second half up as
well. The closer, “Perpetual Change” has a dynamic opening before the lighter
pop tone of Anderson’s vocal settles, but like a creative mirror to “Yours”,
manages to shift into an introspective jazz feel by the mid-point, and offers
up surprises. A shift towards a rhythmic RNB shuffle riff allows some more work
from Howe and Kaye solos. This is a track that could manage to stumble, but the
manages to execute an uplifting ending.
Yes, with
its new line up, has managed to arrive, and I will be curious to see what they
offer up next.
