The Yes Album
Not quite the classic lineup (evenRick Wakemanwould not join untilFragile), but thanks to new recruitSteve Howehere for the first time is the mature Yes sound in all its sonic glory. On tracks like the barnstorming showpiece "Starship Trooper"Chris Squire's monstrous bass looms large in the mix,Bill Bruford's jazz drumming skates edgily around the beat, and layered on top are those remarkably long-limbed solos from Howe--one of the very few guitarists to fuse the best of jazz with rock (as well as creating a landmark in acoustic guitar literature with hisChet Atkins-inspired solo "The Clap"). SingerJon Anderson's elliptical lyrics had yet to flower into the truly bizarre realms ofClose to the EdgeandTales from Topographic Oceans, but he was already using words more for their sound value than sense ("Yesterday a morning came, a smile upon your face / Caesar's Palace, morning glory, silly human race"). Put it all together and you've got an album with a much sharper edge than their later bloated extravaganzas. --Mark Walker