Yes – YES*****

Beyond & Before/I See You/Yesterday & Today/Looking Around/Harold Land/Every Little Thing/Sweetness/ Survival

The eponymous debut album from the progressive rock group Yes was untypical of the ethereal sound of their best known work from the early 1970s. Instead it consists of some of the finest melodic driving pop of the period.

“The album is filled with early progressive rock music and clear hints of psychedelia here and there. The vocal harmonies are beautiful. An absolute must buy for Yes fans, it is an exceptionally good album, and definitely worth a listen.”

“The album combines aspects of psychedelic rock, early hard rock, and proto-prog to create a sound that, although not groundbreaking, is still immediately identifiable as Yes via the pixyish vocals of Jon Anderson and the bouncy bass lines of Chris Squire. A good collection of tunes performed by obviously very talented musicians.”

“In a way this is closer to late British psychedelic than early progressive rock. Every so often, though, you can hear the 'Yes-that-will-be emerging', such as on Survival, when you get a good taste of where they will take the extended composition.”

“Knowing where the Yes sound ends up, you can hear it in embryonic form, most notably on Harold Land, which most anticipates the multi-part suites on the group's best albums. However, when you hear the driving sound of the opening cut, Beyond & Before, you will wonder who you are listening to.”

“While not being quite as polished as some of their later albums the 'Yes' sound is already distinguishable. A very strong debut - the songwriting is already in fine form, separately and collectively. This album is more pop than prog.”

“A bit jazzy, a bit psychedelic, very late-60s, but it's quite easy to hear that Yes sound developing, especially because of the very distinctive bass sound - it's not as prominent on this album as it was later, but it certainly adds some punch to the album, especially on the funk-tinged rocker Looking Around and on Harold Land.”

“The sweet vocals and catchy melodies don't get buried behind overly complex arrangements, synthesizers or too many chords. It's fair to call this a pop album with a progressive edge.”