Going For The One - Yes

Advantages: Musicianship of the highest order
Disadvantages: sometimes strange lyrics

...date? Let's see..... Going For The One: title track and second single released, reaching No 24 in November 1977, this seems to me to be a song of two halves, with a rather plodding opening giving way at the bridge to an astonishing free-for-all in which all the band decide to go off in all different directions. Whilst this might not sound very good, it is actually very effective. Steve Howe (guitars) and Rick Wakeman (keyboards) seem to be having ...
...Yes come together after seperately going off in tangents. Wonderous Stories: a top 10 hit single in the UK. Funnily enough this is the weakest track on this album. A slow piece with excrutiating lyrics "my spirit climbed into the sky, I bid it to return to hear your wonderous stories, la la la la la la", ain't music a funny thing. A nice enough backing track though. Awaken: All along it seems that the whole record has just been a warm-up for this, ... Read review

Advantages: Embodies everything great about the band Yes
Disadvantages: Doesn't have a Roger Dean cover

...thing is for sure though, Going For The One, always features in any conversation when the discussion of their ultimate achievement is raised. Although in 1977 punk was beginning to tear down the sacred castle walls built by Progressive and Symphonic Rock groups, this did not stop the creation of something truly magical. Spawning an uncharacteristic hit single with the beautiful Wonderous Stories, Going For The One shot to the top of the album charts ...
...emotive pieces of music you will ever hear, while the powerful Parallels and Going For The One act as reminders as to why Progressive Rock bands in the seventies were loud enough to blow orchestras off stage. If you plan to own just one Yes album, make it this one. ... Read review

Advantages: Ties up the loose ends
Disadvantages: None

.... Not Moby Dick II, but interesting nonetheless. Rick Wakeman was recording his memorable keyboard solo to "Parallels" (from Yes's "Going For The One") in the same studios around about the same time as this. Wearing And Tearing: the third outtake from "Out Door", Zepp have a bash at punk and fail rather miserably. Produced by Jimmy Page, with an executive producer nod to Peter Grant, which usually meant he sat in the studio sorting the hangers-on out. The whole album reeks of understatement, which is probably exactly what was intended. Worth a listen.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Some good writing and clever arrangements
Disadvantages: Lacks some of the classic Yes elements

...When Rick Wakeman and Jon Anderson left Yes in 1979, it looked like it was all over. They had lost keyboard players before, but Jon Anderson's unique vocal style had become synonomous with the group's work. So, when Chris Squire, the group's bassist and longest serving member announced that he had found replacements for Anderson and Wakeman, it took the music world by storm. When he announced who the replacements were, it knocked the music world off its feet. The techno-pop duo The Buggles who had just had a giant hit with Video Killed The Radio Star were now a part of one of the most successful Progressive Rock bands in the world. The resulting album Drama, showed it was pretty much business as usual, and Yes were always going to be more than just one man. By his own admission, Trevor Horn is no great vocalist, but the clever... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: one of the best albums of 2005
Disadvantages: only a couple of poor tracks but that's being picky

...I had only heard of Juelz Santana by listening to Westwood on radio 1 and heard songs including Clockwork, Oh Yes, Shottas, Murda Murda and so bought the album as thought would give it a go. This is one of my favourite albums from last year - out of all of the tracks i only dislike 2 of them - and that's down to personal taste. A lot of single material on here, Juelz is now firmly established in the rap scene and cannot wait for more new material. My favourite track is Murda, Murda. Most of his songs seem to tell a story and that is something i like about it. Features appearances from Young Jeezy, Camron and Lil Wayne amongst others. The album starts with aconversation between Juelz and his cousin about his rise to stardom and how the teacher wanted his autograph! Most tracks have a really good beat and deserve to be played very... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful