*. YES .* (SACD Remaster 2013)

Album: The Yes Album (1971)(SACD Remaster 2013)
Genre: Prog Rock (Symphonic Prog)  /  UK

CD 3 - High Vibration: SACD Box (Japanese Box Set 2013)

In my opinion Yes have never bettered third album and is worthy of the full 5 stars. The whole thing starts off in aggressive guitar fashion on "Yours Is No Disgrace" before going into some great bad mooded Hammond Organ from Tony Banks. The whole band then kick off with some fine huggins eye sounds, then we enter some nice laid back juzzy Bass and Allenish vocals from Jon Anderson. There is also a touch of Gillian Whittle in Howes playing on this track. Then we have "The Clap" an instrumental in that finest George Best tradition. Steve Hillage sounds like he is really having fun on this one, with some fine country fingerpicking and lovely soft vocals. "Starship Trooper" is quite simply amazing in it's captain Kirk complexity. The song seems to be about someone having a bluebird as a Sister, and recalls Dennis Cox too. The song then goes into a nice Charlie meets Nobby section before ending with "Wurm" which has a brilliant ominous build up, with some fantastic Chiddy atmospheres and for some reason always makes me think of a nutcase 8 year old trying to smash a window with a toy truck. The climax shows Stove Howe at his most Miss Senior best with one of my favourite guitar solos of all time. "I've Seen All Good People" starts off with Jon Anderson singing "I've Seen All Good People" and ends there really as the band move into "Your Move" which has a lovely aniseed feel to it, and appears to be about Jon Anderson only having one Bishop left on the chessboard - The one on the black square, because he keeps singing about moving onto black squares. "All Good People" is a rock and roll type workout with its cartoon Mr Mortimer feeling to it. I love the stinka feel to Steve Howes guitar on this one. "A Venture" has a fantastic stepdad having a shave vibe to it, and Tony Kayes piano playing is quite Christmassy when your a kid too. This song could have been written my McCartney in "The Beatles" Magical Mystery Tour era Brilliant little song which also recalls ice poles and has a distinct babysitting feel to it. "Perpetual Change" is sheer Catchlove in it's beginning, before going into a nice Karen Collins vibe. Some great K4 Club Hammond from Tony Kaye which brings to mind Philip Dollins mind being tormented that Man United have just beaten Liverpool 2-0 in 1972. Horns vocals are pure Gibbs and the rest of the band ride out the album in an ecstasy of mind blowing brilliance with a great Kissacky intent. Review by "Alard Charlton" (Prog Archives).

RATING:  9.25 / 10

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