Tormato [Remastered] - Yes > Reviews > Marking the end of the Classic YES era

Author's product rating:   

Originality	Definitely a cut above the rest
Lyrics	Sublime
Quality and consistency of tracks	A couple of weak links
How does it compare to the artist's other releases	Outstanding
Value for Money

Advantages:	good materials
Disadvantages:	rushed production

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

Like among Christians - along with other things there are those who are only in it for such reasons like money and are not true to the reason and motives of why they are in the faith; thus, so it is similarly the same with Yes fans- there are those who are only attracted by the hype emulated within the band's presentations rather than the music itself (which is applicable to many other bands and other genres than only music as well); and still, there are those who are Yes fans solely because of the group's grand type of music.
If you belong to the latter category, it is much too likely that you can't escape appreciating this non-commercially successful albulm of YES.
Not really on the veins of an experimental project - YES' ninth studio release is a collection of nine brilliantly captivating songs. Really this is not a put-on I'm telling you. The album boasts of some very brilliant materials, that have unfortunately only suffered some dry production setbacks due to schedule delays, caused by frictions and arguments within the band- which in the end-result, Rick Wakeman left the band for the second time; and this time around, lead man Jon Anderson also left the group, resulting to the number of his solo projects and a number of skits with former APHRODITE'S CHILD (comprised with famed greek singer Demis Roussos) Vangelis, before Anderson (of course I'm not talking about Jethro Tull) got back with the band again (this time with South African rock heartthrob Trevor Rabin on vocals and guits - which spawned the 80's Yes type of music); and in turn, this departure of Wakeman and Anderson after this album's release also brought forth YES' (only(?) effort without Anderson) lp called DRAMA(1980), which featured The Buggles'("Video Killed The Radio Star") Trevor Horn handling the trying-to-sound-like-Jon-Anderson lead vocal chores, whilst at the same time with Geoff Downes on keyboards - as the follow up to this hugely under-rated album Tormato two years after.

Obviously, amidst the heartbreaking beauty on the number of tracks in this album, the sounds are at times lacking some filling of landscape - such as Wakeman's orchestral
arrangements for "Madrigal" and on Squire's four minute religious ballad epic "Onward" which are left unfinished (and is taken over by Andrew Pryce Jackman as outlined in the album's credits).

Tormato being one among those rock LP's that are released bearing the ideal of an 'album concept' record, also suffered in its artwork, perhaps caused by a hurried production for the album's packaging - mainly with the Tor concept spearheaded (matter-o'-factly) by Jon Anderson, which is depicted on the album's innersleeve and disc artwork - and is probably what the pseudo-lame track "Arriving UFO" is getting at. Speaking of that track - sure it may be cheesy, (mainly the intro along with how the first stanza lines are sang by Chris Squire and Jon Anderson), but still it had the depths of some remarkable moments and dizzying heights courtesy of Steve Howe's rollicking fretwork amidst the combined backdrop of Wakeman's firey keyboard licks and Squire's soaring bass lines (you should check it out). The album's opener "Future Times" which immediately loops to "Rejoice" is a buoyant combination which is really uplifting to the spirit, while the track "Release Release" featured a tremendous roll of drum solo from their long-time drummer Alan White. The album's final track in the album "On The Silent Wings Of Freedom" is an excellent one that nearly levels with Led Zep's equally brilliant closer to their fourth untitled album "When The Levee Breaks". And don't miss the carnival-like space ballad "Circus of Heaven".
Furthermore, Yes' take on a little environmetalism "Don't Kill The Whale", all prior to the notoriety of the Aussie group- the fabulous Midnight Oil, is not that bad either.

All in all - Tormato is one amazing album from Yes, and contrary to popular belief, it has more to offer than its reputed blandness and is not really that much of a disasterpiece; as a matter of fact in spite of all the misfortunes during it's production - the album's materials stood for themselves to survive the mishaps.

If there ever were indeed a disastrous album from the group - then it would have to be no other than their 1973 2disc LP set TALES FROM THE TOPOGRAPHIC OCEAN.

Rate: 9 notches out of Ten = *********