Yesathon part 1: Yes

I have decided to embark upon a Yesathon. why? because i freaking love Yes! So what exactly does a Yesathon mean? it means i'm going to review every Yes album ever. So to begin this I will be reviewing their first album, Yes (not to be confused with The Yes Album)

One thing i feel that it is important to point out is that the lineup is not the classic Yes lineup. Instead of Steve Howe on guitar this album features Peter Banks and instead of Rick Wakemen we have Tony Kaye.

My favorite song on the album is the opening track, "Beyond And Before". the song grabs your attention with it's opening riff and keeps it for the rest of the song. It is a fantastic opening track and the best song on the album, but that doesn't mean the rest of the album is any worse. In fact, for the most part, it's just as good.

This album features something that is very rare for Yes, love songs. The songs in question are "Yesterday And Today" and "Sweetness". So how are they? They're actually pretty good. Out of the two, i have to say I like "Sweetness" more, but they are both pretty good. In fact, they could almost be called McCartney-esque.

Speaking of McCartney, Yes actually does a Beatles cover, "Every Little Thing" to be exact. They take the original song and change it to the point where it is unrecognizable in some parts, specifically the extended prog-rock intro, which incorporates part of another Beatles song. Which one? you'll have to listen to it to find out (if you can't figure it out you are not a real rock fan). I have to say i like Yes' version of the song more than the original

There is another cover song here, "I See You" by The Byrds. This song is the most jazzy song Yes has ever done. it's very different than anything else the band has ever done but I like it. unfortunately I can't offer any comparison to the original, as I have never heard it.
(edit: i heard the original, i like the Yes version more)

The other songs are all very good as well. "Looking Around" is very heavy on the keyboard and bass and an overall good song. "Harold Land" is the most fantasy filled track here, hinting at what would come in the future. finally we come to the track, "Survial". This is a great song. I especially love the intro bit. Actually, listening to the album again, I have to say I like it as much as "Beyond And Before".

This is very different from any other Yes album, but don't let that drive you away. If you are willing to open your mind to it, you will find a very enjoyable album. It's one of my favorites by the band, and I find it much more accessible than the side-long epics of their later albums (I do love their side-long epics, though. Especially "Close To The Edge" and "The Gates Of Delirium", but those will be discussed in later reviews). Still it is not their strongest work, that's still a few years away.

Best song: "Beyond And Before" and "Survival"
Worst Song: There is none!!!