DRAMA is YES' most underrated album. Jon and Rick left and Trevor and Jeff from the Buggles joined, and in a sense it was a dream collaboration between the Buggles and a group of talented musicians who were freed from the shackles of Jon. The soundscape of this album is different from that of previous YES albums, but the positivity that underlies YES is still there.

@lesblatnyak5947

2 жыл бұрын

Chris Squire was YES

@rossrossa7596

11 ай бұрын

agree

@Southbound63

2 ай бұрын

YES was Jon, Chris, Bill/Alan, Steve and Rick. The bugles were a shit pop band. I saw them on this tour and it was no where near as good as the classic Yes lineup live.

@Southbound63

2 ай бұрын

Not anywhere near CTTE, Fragile, The Yes album, TFTO and GFTO.

@Southbound63

2 ай бұрын

@@lesblatnyak5947 and Jon Anderson.

Ah Drama, the album where Chris probably shines brighter than ever before. The bass work on this album is awesome throughout .

@jeffschielka7845

2 жыл бұрын

Chris is phenomenal. R.I.P. my friend. You are SO missed.⚘⚘⚘😎

@chacob3380

2 жыл бұрын

Largely agree Graham - I think he and Alan both have a really tight/interesting rhythm section on this album. I also think you can hear the roots of where Steve Howe would take his sound with Asia.

@nickavenoso7851

2 жыл бұрын

The trilogy of GFTO, Tormato, Drama is my favorite from Squire in terms of his bass playing. Relayer is just insane as well (it being my favorite Yes album). Drama is definitely up there in my list of favorite Yes albums. I love how present both Squire and Howe were on this album and how much they could open up.

@fredericfuknchopin4552

2 жыл бұрын

@@chacob3380 Steve never played as good as this again. This was his last recording as a guitar great.

@martinhayward4466

Жыл бұрын

Not only his bass, but his great vocal support.

I had no idea Drama was this good! Totally surprised! The preamp sounds fantastic! Your enthusiasm was a huge bonus. Thanks!

@JimNewstead

2 жыл бұрын

Awww, thanks! It’s easy to be enthusiastic when the music is this good.

@jeffschielka7845

2 жыл бұрын

@@JimNewstead Yes!😎

"Are we done"? No Jim, Mr Squire is going to remind us why he's the greatest bass player in rock history. Absolutely loved watching the expressions of shock and joy on your face.

"Produced by the Band" - but the key being that the band included Trevor Horn. so that might explain why it sounds so good

@jeffschielka7845

2 жыл бұрын

Eddie had something to do with it.😎

@ChromeDestiny

2 жыл бұрын

Hugh Padgham was part of the production team for Drama as well.

@tomfabozzi6309

2 жыл бұрын

@@ChromeDestiny I didn't notice any "Gated drum" sounds on Drama - he must have saved those for Peter Gabriel and Phil Collins! :-)

@ChromeDestiny

2 жыл бұрын

@@tomfabozzi6309 You can hear them a bit during the breakdown of Run Thru The light.

@jeffmccaskill9227

10 ай бұрын

@@tomfabozzi6309 run through the light is gated

I was a metalhead in the 1970s (still am) and my friends tried for years to get me into Yes. I liked Yes better than Genesis or Pink Floyd, but it wasn't until I saw the promo video of Tempus Fugit on TV that I suddenly "got" Yes. I saw them live several times after that and Drama remains my favourite Yes album (Close to the Edge is a close second).

Who'd have thought that watching someone play an LP is almost as satisfying as playing an LP? Other than Tempus Fugit, I hadn't actually listened to this album since it came out (my copy got "borrowed" very early on.) Forgot how worthwhile it is. Thanks!

I’m a thorough Yes listener, and Drama is one of my favorites! It doesn’t get nearly enough love. I listen to it perhaps the most of any of their albums-well, it’s up there at least. Top 5 for sure. The rhythm section murders. And Horn and Downes are more than up to the task. It’s just splendid. And it rocks more than any of their albums! Howe is crazy on this album.

Its moments like this I realise what a yes snob I've been all these years. I have never even given this album a chance - its awesome!

13:24 “Holy shit- sorry, holy…” My thoughts exactly. As a relatively new listener to Yes (age rather than time) Machine Messiah was a punch to the gut in the best way possible. Keep up the good work! Looking forward to 90125.

@daffyrwt

2 жыл бұрын

My thoughts exactly. Also as someone who is new to Yes as well (and was inspired by Jim doing this Yes series), I semi-blindly checked out 90125 from my library and I should warn you it's unapolgeticly 80's, definitely more pop than progressive. I still recommend checking it out, but temper your expectations if this is what you're expecting.

When this came out I was blown away at how good - and aggressive - this album was. It is, for me, a top 5 Yes album. I was worried there was no Jon Anderson, but I was pleasantly surprised and over time fell more and more in love with it. Howe hadn't played as dark as Machine Messiah since Heart of the Sunrise. Loved your visceral reaction to this album.

I was so lucky to be 17 in 77 with the punk movement and 20 in 1980 to embrace the futurist/synth bands - all the way through (from about 12) we also had Prog, Bowie and bands like the Who etc - looking back it was such a amazing time and we took it all for granted, expecting greatness! This album sums up the morphing of the two eras perfectly. Great reaction! Check out The Age of Plastic by the Buggles - a great synth pop album with prog influences.

The story goes that The Buggles were recording in an adjoining studio to Yes when Anderson and Wakeman left and the other three carried on laying down some pretty heavy rhythm tracks (like It Can Happen) with Eddie Offord. Chris Squire dropped in on The Buggles session and asked Horn if they had any songs Yes could use. Horn offered Machine Messiah and was invited to demo it with band. He was flattered that he might be hustling a song onto the next Yes album, but still thought Anderson was going to sing it - and wondered would he mind - until Squire asked both Horn and Downes to join the band. Trevor Horn ended up finishing the production on the album and including another Buggles song, I Am A Camera. This is probably the most Squire heavy Yes album since Time And A Word. Many Yes fans were initially horrified at the news that The Buggles had joined Yes, but were eventually won over by the powerful result. (Sadly the following tour didn't go down well, but this material really came alive with a later lineup with Benoit David on vocals and Rick Wakeman's son Oliver on keyboards).

@galier2

2 жыл бұрын

I saw Yes in 2011 and it was indeed very Drama heavy. They opened with Tempus Fugit which is probably the song that Yes could declare as a signature song. Benoit David was the singer but keyboards were Geoff Downes.

@mvjonsson

2 жыл бұрын

Fly from Here (2007) was more or less a later follow up to Drama, with material that did not end up on the original album. Especially the second Return trip version where Trevor Horn did the lead vocals. It is debated if the original version with Benoit David on lead vocals or the Horn version is the best.

Your reaction to Machine Messiah made me laugh out loud. Going for the One, both the song and later the entire album, was my first serious introduction to Yes. Then a friend played Close to the Edge at a party sometime in the early 80's and I was hooked for the rest of my life. Drama, in my humble opinion, is a classic Yes and progressive album, wholly underappreciated by most Yes fans and underrated by fans in general.

I consider this to be an unjustly overlooked MASTERPIECE of an album.

You are a righteous dude Jim.

Drama is sonic gold. It's certainly a guitar and bass driven album, but Downes and Horn add so much excellence to this wonderfully written and produced album. Great review Jim! I get watery eyed with your exuberant reviews! Thank You Jim!

Yes is yet another one I have not dug into, but am for sure liking this. I of course know of them and have them as one I must go through completely.

I knew you'd love this album Jim! You're right about us needing music and that's what's so great about YES, they take us on journeys of enjoyment that calm us and help us cope. Side 2 is a blast! By the way, your sound has vastly improved. "Holy Crap that was good!" after Machine Messiah says it all Jim.😁

When this came out, my friends and I were 16-17 and had been serious Yes fans for about 5 years. We had gone to the awesome 1979 concert in Fort Worth (oddly, Yes did not play Dallas, due to a lack of a reasonably sized arena that year). We bought this album with some trepidation, given the absence of Jon and Rick and the fact The Buggles were in the band. But we were die-hard and bought it the first day it was in the record store (Sound Warehouse, where are you now?). We were blown away at how good a record this was. Eagerly went to see the 1980 tour (in the then-new Reunion Arena), which was a great show. This shift was scary at first, but this is a really good album, among my favorites of the post-Bill Bruford era Yes. Edit to note that Squire's bass at the end of "Does it Really Happen" is very similar to his approach on his solo album from 1975, Fish Out of Water. Very strong and in your face, with incredible tone and extremely melodic.

@kfleetwood

2 жыл бұрын

We were also big Yes fans since High School. Shortly before the album release we saw a video of this lineup performing “Tempus Fugit”, and “Into The Lens”, so we were excited to get the “Drama” album. Always loved all their albums, and it was interesting listening to the “Fly From Here” album, the version with the “Drama” reunion lineup.

Great reaction you had me excited by this record again it is a fabulous return to form after the rather lost meandering Tormarto and I agree with all you say the prog has a bit of metal and new romantic and production has more space and punch

Machine Messiah...what an opening !!!

My favorite Yes album. Hands down.

This album is one of my favorite ones. Steve and Chris are able to open up. Alan is great and the bugles are strong.

Very underrated album. One of favorites from Yes. Chris shares some lead vocals here as well, especially on Does It Really Happen. His vocals are underrated as well. Great vocalist

@joelliebler5690

6 ай бұрын

No doubt!

While I understood the despair/anger etc of die hard Yes fans of "Yes without Jon", I was 11 when this came out, and this was my second full Yes album (after Tormato), having heard things like Roundabout and Long Distance Runaround on US FM Radio. As such, I still have a real soft spot for "Drama", and as I've grown older, think it's a really good album. "Machine Messiah", "Tempus Fugit" and "Did it Really Happen?" are big faves of mine

This was so much fun! Just a wonderful reaction to an incredible Yes album! This was definitely a different sounding band who were looking forward. I’ve always marveled at the change from Tormato to Drama. Alan White sounds incredible! Thx for this one Jim 🥁🎸☀️

Remember when this came out, was a little sceptical about it, no Jon Anderson. But I needn't have worried, was blown away. I have a friend who like me has been a fan for over fifty years, he refused to bye the album, and as far as I am aware has never heard it, his loss. Great stuff Jim.

Drama is a great album. Definitely makes my Top 10 YES albums

"You walk the way; You take the path; To be assured; You draw a graph."

Jim, You are such a remarkably personable person with the feels for music, and an ear. Record producer is near of you good sir. :-) Thank you for you! -RR

@JimNewstead

2 жыл бұрын

Awww, love you man! Thanks 😊

When it came out I was blown away... Not everybody agreed..I saw the band twice on the tour for the album...it was a tough time for Trevor horn...that aside...I think it's a cracking album...well recorded and slightly new wave and very heavy to boot..machine messiah is probably the heaviest yes were. After this album Howe went on to form the mighty asia along with Geoff Downes and Alan white and Chris squire went on to bring together anderson and Rabin to do 90125. It's nice to see these days..even without jon on vocals drama gets appreciated by yes fans young and old. Fabulous album

Such a fantastic album, preceded by a shock announcement on Radio 1 by Tommy Vance, expectations were very low. As soon as I first played it I was utterly hooked. A big part of the sound and the material come about as Steve, Alan and Chris were freed from Jon Anderson's whimsy and ethereal influence for a while. They initially rehearsed as a three piece before recruiting Geoff nd Trevor. Such a shame they only made one album before parting ways. The live shows were phenomenal - even though poor Trevor's voice was shot to pieces by the time they landed for the UK leg. Amazing times and it was great to be there. Can't wait to see what you make of Side Two!!!

The best YES album ever!

BTW, I definitely notice the improvement with the preamp. This sounded awesome!

@JimNewstead

2 жыл бұрын

Nice! I’m glad 😀

I have allways loved this album, Jim maybe you should consider doing " Fly from Here " as a next video, same Yes line up

This is a great album - can't wait for side two!

I love Machine Messiah, but my mind always now hears, in a certain part of the lyrics "Now is the time on Sprockets in which we dance!" :) I have found that everything Trevor Horn touched is gold. I strongly recommend the DVD concert Slaves To The Rhythm. He is a great musician and a staggering producer. Truly a genius. Drama has always been a favorite of mine.

Hey, Jim! My first YES concert was the tour of this album back in 1980 at Madison Square Garden. Awesome show (in the round!)

@robertwells3867

2 жыл бұрын

America was much kinder to Trevor than the UK shows The Madison square show was broadcast but it's poor quality

Cool. One of my favorite Yes albums.

So pleased that you like this one Jim. Always loved this album. It had a bad name due to the poppiness of the Buggles (Video Killed the Radio Star) joining such a classic lineup. A lot of the stalwarts disowned it as not being Yes. However, it is fabulous.

If there were no band members named on the album, this would rate as one of YES' finest (Top 5?) It's a fantastic album from start to finish and tops anything that came later, for sure. Loved the reaction!

@rcpsammy7186

2 жыл бұрын

Tops anything that came later is purely subjective. They had many outstanding albums after this...

@johnmavroudis2054

2 жыл бұрын

@@rcpsammy7186 Your opinion, also purely subjective. NOTHING they did after touches this, IMO. (added the ending to make you happy... Cheers!)

@ChromeDestiny

2 жыл бұрын

I think they had some good albums after this but they also didn't really reach these heights again either. As Drama is an album from 1980 it benefits from still having some 1970's residue and youthful energy to cling to. There are a couple of tracks on the followup, 90125 that remind me a bit of Drama, It Can Happen, Changes and Hearts.

@johnmavroudis2054

2 жыл бұрын

@@ChromeDestiny Loved those at the time... now the production on 90125 makes me cringe. Drama sounds a lot less dated to me. But, yeah... there were good songs afterward... just not an album that matches up, for me. Cheers!

@mikescriber1777

2 жыл бұрын

I agree 1,000%. If you closed your eyes, you could not tell the difference from the original members. I still rate it as one of their top albums.

Thanks for reviewing this. I still remember the shock. Still unfer recovery of tormato . Still licking the wounds and the a yes without Jon and Rick

I'm looking forward to what you think of Magnification when you get to it. 👍🙂

@JimNewstead

2 жыл бұрын

Me too!

..."White car" is about Gary Numan, who drove around in a white limo at the time....nice.

Absolutely great album, nice video

Jim ...."Are we done?" ....Chris Squire ...."Hold my beer..." ;)

Brother, great choice! Drama is a classic!

Machine Messiah and Does It Really Happen both get multiple high fives. With giant gloved mascot hands.

Did YES have detractors ? YES always have had them from day one. They also have a group of fans that only like certain phases and others (me) that understand times and band members change so I just accept they are who they are and appreciate the journey.

This record is pure polyphony-sheer contrapuntal, harmonic complexity. The baroque element was always in Yes, but on this album they turned towards a more orderly, metal, structured style that has more of the Rush side of progressive rock, and it allowed the counterpoint-focused progressions to take center stage. Less loose and open; more tight and machinic. Bach and fugues, with Steve and Chris mirroring each other harmonically on every track. Nowadays we call it math rock.

Hi Jim, me again, I think that looking back from 42 years this album can rightfully take it's place in the Yes cannon. I never understood some Yes fans who were ok with some of the replacements in the line up and dismissive of others. For me they have contributed to the band's history and catalogue. Pop into the Yesworld forum and the no Jon no Yes zealots are still at it after 18 years ffs. Looking forward to side 2 mate so much good Yesmusic still to come.

Thank you Sir. my favorite album is DRAMA

Such a great album. And what a great reaction video Jim!!! Made my day

Ok so onto this. The same lineup put out Fly From Here (Return Trip) in 2016 or so. After Chris died and a powerful Yes album as his bass and backing vox are there. This “Return Trip” one has Trevor Horn on vox. The non-Return Trip one is another JA replacement and not part of the family. Trevor Horn wanted to do his own vox later, so did. Written in 1980 and performed once or twice on the Drama tour, Fly From Here is among the top Yes albums ❤ Anyway. This one is also magnificent. Starting it now.

One of the reasons to do it even now. Music is freedom.

I didn't get notified for this... But glad to see it! And you are right, music is our only break from the stupidity of the world atm

A most amazing album.

Their commercial success came in the mid 1980s with more lineup changes and "90125," which I am sure you'll get to.

One of the greatest Reprises in music history. Period.

"We need music more than ever" is a sentiment I wholeheartedly support. It's what makes us 'us'.That said, I bought this album within days of its release 41 years ago (yikes) and I suspect it's around 39 years since I last heard it. Actually, it's not bad!

Wow eh Jim, pretty fine performance of genius by Squire. Onward to two.

Drama took me a while to get into but it has stood the test of time and sounds really super today.... glad you dug it....

I love this album! I remember at the time feeling a lot of trepidation about the fact that Yes we're incorporating electro-pop duo The Buggles (of Video Killed the Radio Star fame) into the band. But wow! I wish they'd done a (immediate) follow-up with the same line-up (much as I wish they'd done another album with Moraz after Relayer). They've done some decent albums after this, but nothing to match it IMHO.

@ChromeDestiny

2 жыл бұрын

The second Buggles album, especially the expanded CD reissue has material that was originally intended for a second album from the Yes Drama lineup. Some of the material on the the CD bonus track version got revived for Fly From Here and Fly From Here Return Trip.

@soundsfromthewestcoast9939

2 жыл бұрын

@@ChromeDestiny Really rate Fly From Here as an album - one of the stronger post Drama albums.

@ChromeDestiny

2 жыл бұрын

@@soundsfromthewestcoast9939 Me too, it's the best of the three post Magnification albums imo. The only thing is that I wish they had incorporated one or two of the songs that wound up on the From a Page EP cause those tracks had a lot of potential. The Quest is not a bad album but very front loaded, I think it would have helped a lot if Tony Kaye and Patrick Moraz had guested on it. I think for Yes to continue Steve has to be more forceful, why keep Billy Sherwood? He was there as a favour to Chris. Why keep Geoff Downes? He was brought in cause Trevor Horn wanted him there when he was producing Fly From Here but that was over ten years ago now.

@soundsfromthewestcoast9939

2 жыл бұрын

@@ChromeDestiny Good points. I wish they'd kept Oliver Wakeman in the keyboard seat, and much as it saddens me I think it's time for Alan White to retire fully. I still think they have another excellent album in them but they need to take musical risks, and get in an outside producer who is rooted in prog.

I remember when this came out, I was livid that MY Yes was now this, and for the first time, ever, I did not see a tour...or buy this album. It took ages, but somewhere along the line, I listened to it as a standalone album...on its own, and to this day I think it is quite good. So...how did this all end? I saw the present guys play the whole album on CTTE... The circle is complete.

@michaelbeerbados3291

2 жыл бұрын

sorry you had to see the "current" lineup..wow they are poor.

@rcpsammy7186

2 жыл бұрын

@@michaelbeerbados3291 I didn't go on the cruise to see them...I actually went to see Curved Air, Focus, Steve Hackett, Stick Men, Patrick Moraz.... But I knew the current guys were playing the whole album...so, I caught that, and left when they started dismantling, Tales. To me, anyone but Anderson singing that music is sacrilege.

@rcpsammy7186

2 жыл бұрын

@@michaelbeerbados3291 also, if you think the current crop is poor, you should get a load of the new album. Absolutely forgettable.

I’m gonna have to get one of those hoodies or shirts! Love it! So stoked to get back into Yes! Thanks Jim!

@JimNewstead

2 жыл бұрын

Yes you are! I like them cos they don’t have my name or logo splattered all over them!

Caught up with this 2 hours after you posted and 49 comments in. Already a good representation of die hards have recalled their reaction to Yes without Jon and how it coloured many peoples attitude to the album both before release and immediately afterwards. Also pleased that so many now recognise its worthy place in the discography. I fall into the "Jon/Rick" camp a nd admit I held similar misgivings. However, this us a good YES Album and look beyond the change in vocalist and the dynamics of Chris, Steve and Alan hold up the tradition of the band; ably assisted by Geoff & Trevor. I also agree with previous comments that this was probably the last true YES sounding album. Little did we know.... Tempus Fugit!

I’m a little late to the video, but I am no stranger to this outstanding album. The vinyl crackling brings back fond memories of listening to this on my old copy. There are those who don’t view this album as being of any quality as compared to all previously released by the band, however this is fantastic. Headphones, or through good speakers, this is a very enjoyable listen. I do appreciate your time and visual enthusiasm. Thanks. I am trying to see more of your videos. Cheers

What a great reaction video. Makes me feel like the 1st time I heard it! Cheers.

@JimNewstead

3 ай бұрын

Wow, thank you!

You had to realize it was not Yes. But it was Yes now, and very very good.

Great to hear that you love it Jim! Many an old Yes fan are dissing it but I truly love it! (Maybe not quite as much as you seem to do though 😉)

@JimNewstead

2 жыл бұрын

I think I had it loud in my headphones and was excited to be listening to some music again!!!!

@jeffschielka7845

2 жыл бұрын

@@JimNewstead Really? Try again. Lol!🤣😎

Great record, although at the time, people were upset about the lineup change. They are definitely reinvigorated and punchy here. The new preamp sounds great, immediately noticable. I'm thinking about getting one for my home setup as well. Perhaps one with tubes

Really interesting isn't it? And it shows you how much Chris, Alan and Steve really fire off each other musically, and transforming the songs provided by Trevor and Geoff provided. Great album.

@JimNewstead

2 жыл бұрын

Fab album, really really strong.

One of the most underrated albums they ever did. It's brilliant..

As I was going through my Progressive Rock journey at 17-18 in high school, I had always known Yes's music through AOR FM Radio from the LA affiliates (KLOS 95.5, KMET 94.7 and KWST/Kwest 105.5). So when I heard the tracks for the 1st time in my senior year (Tempus Fugit and Does it Really Happen), I had no idea that the vocalist _wasn't_ Jon Anderson (don't kill me fans) :p. I probably bought the Lp a few months after its release, I was also becoming a HUGE "Roger Dean" fan from all the album covers he had done, and would soon own his debut art-book "Views". And he would become a big influence on my Logo design and typography (along with Rodney Matthews). I love the "Drama" logo font, and the painting I see everyday as its my laptop background :). "Drama" really made an impact on me, sure the Rick Wakeman years would WOW me with his musicianship and chops, but there was also something about the "sounds" Geoff Downes had, and the textures he painted. As everyone points out, Squire really shines on this album. Alan White really belting it out too! But this has to be the HEAVIEST Steve Howe has ever played and sounded, even more than "GTR" decades later. And his fills and flurries are really amazing. But to HEAR and experience "Machine Messiah" for the 1st time, was also for me a . . . . HOLY SH!T experience! I still play this track often, and its on a few of my "themed" playlists. The words are even more relevant today it seems (sadly). Up there with Judas Priest "Electric Eye", Death "1000 Eyes", Meshuggah "The Devils Name is Surveillance" and Rush "Temples of Syrinx"; "Machine, machine Messiah. Take me into the fire Hold me, machine Messiah And show me The strength of your singular . . . eye". This track has always been a "Movie" playing in my head, even the short "Man in a White Car" is a track I would LOVE to make a video for . . . If I knew how and had the means. But the whole song is soo grand and majestic . . . an all time fave moment in Progressive Rock Epics (for 10 minutes and 18 seconds). When Howe does those "taps" of the pick (plectrum) across the frets with the Crybaby/Wah-Wah and then "BoowWAAWA!" in that mini-solo . . . MAN! :O This was Howe really letting loose, and coming back in the reprise! I always wished when he did all those wild riffs, they would have come from different angles of the stereo space (so I used to "pan" my balance with each finger run on my cassette tapes) to take advantage of the panning and the _personal_ experience. Forget headphones . . . that track is made to wake-up the neighbors on quality speakers! Btw - When Dream Theater opened for YES on their 35th Anniversary Tour ("Train of Thought Tour" for DT), they did an absolutely awesome instrumental version of Machine Messiah, I was stunned! (They also did a great cover of "Diary of a Madman" by Ozzy). There is a good quality video of DT performing it, available here at Yt. Ladies and Gentleman . . . *Squire* on the Bass. "Does it Really Happen" is another fave, I love the "reprise" (which I used to edit out, and have it return at the end of my "Mix-Tapes" when I used to do some wild stuff on my Cassette Tapes, adding in sound fx and dialogue from movies, etc. through a mixer, with a walk-man, extra cassette deck and extra turntable). Those were fun days (though often a hair-pulling experience). I'll have to learn some computer programs to do all that again and burn them on DVD's and share them :). Btw - I have never seen anyone talk about this . . . On the LP and the "original" print of the CD, the "reprise" on Does it Really Happen comes in gradually. But in the 2004 Re-Issue, the reprise comes-in "Abruptly" :/. I always wondered if the band decided to do that, or it was a remaster mistake??? Have you also noticed (maybe in your 2nd listen), that Trevor Horn writes lyrics like Jon, very esoteric. He was really a great choice . . . even though no one could replace Jon. But this album is my 2nd favorite YES album. Maybe the POWER of it is there because of the rise of Heavy Rock and Heavy Metal that would then burst in the scene in the coming years (NWOBHM 1979 - 1983-85). Hehe; you repeated "YES YES YES!!!" as you have discovered, that is coming on side 2 :D. - So glad you LOVE it as much as many of us do, even though its a "contentious" album with die-hard fans, its a GREAT album in my collection, and in music in general :). See you on the otherside . . .

Sadly, this was not to be the new direction for Yes as they broke up after this album with Downes and Howe starting Asia. The next generation of Yes was to take almost 3 years with another large change in members and the main writer being Trevor Rabin. Anderson was brought back in late in the game as was the name Yes rather than the chosen name, Cinema.

Loved it from the moment I purchased it and heard the first notes.

...no, that's Chris and Trevor singing. Chris is indeed shining on this album and takes up parts of the lead vocals...

Thank you for this- it made my day!!!

@JimNewstead

2 жыл бұрын

That’s good!

These 2 joined Yes only a few months after releasing "Video Killed The Radio Star" as they were "The Buggles"

Trevor Horn was a great fill in for Jon Anderson, they both have a similar sound (though Jon has better range) but what really sells it as sounding like Yes, and something many people don't realize is what truly makes the Yes sound, is Squire's background vocals. He made Yes sound like Yes and without it the vocals don't sound right. I can't remember which album it was but one of the more recent ones buried him in the production and it just didn't sound right because of it.

Great reaction Jim, my sentiments exactly, I remember way back in 1980 checking out the new releases at the local record store & being thrilled to discover Yes were still alive & with these two new members, like you I was gobsmacked upon hearing Machine Messiah & side one. It was incredible how by chance Chris, Steve & Alan effectively teamed up with the Buggles & how they so seamlessly fit in & brought such energy, ideas, production knowledge & a new direction to the band, it was also amazing how good Trevor's voice was & how close in range he was to Jon's. Enjoy side 2, cheers

absolutely fantastic album. I remember when it was released. I didn't really care initially with key band members not on it. Until I listened to it at a friend's house, and I was in awe. In my top three of Yes albums. I am still in awe - what a perfect title for the album, too. Thank you for playing it here!

@JimNewstead

2 жыл бұрын

Isn’t it brilliant!

Can’t wait for side two…. What an amazing album!

Thanks for playing this album. The first time i heard (does it really happen) was in 1986 while driving and playing cassette tape cranked full blast, unbelievable sound!

Can't wait to watch your reaction on side 2, Jim 👍

Your first words were “and that is not Jon Anderson”. I first heard this album at a party and almost everyone said a great joke had been played on us. Jon had never left and that could be no one else but Jon. Absolutely love your reaction to one of my most enjoyed Yes albums. So we’ll produced.

This is a perfect album,now accompanied by a perfect reaction.

Great reaction. Thank you.

It's still YES indeed! I can't wait for your into the lens reaction 😁

"Yes with fresh paintwork". It took a little getting used to, but then it was awesome. By the way, while the "reshuffled Yes" were working on this album, Anderson did the first full album called "Short Stories" with Vangelis. I hope that makes you a little curious?

@rogerhennie8939

2 жыл бұрын

Yes saw They needed to change to survive so They hired Downes and Horn to replace Anderson and Wakeman to Get the Sound of the 80s. Having been a Yes fan since 1971, there was nothing I hated more than the Sound of the 80s. It was a New step down for Yes commercially and the band imploded, just to rise from the ashes with Trevor Rabin a few years later. I didn’t really return to Yes untill Magnification.

@alangraham10

2 жыл бұрын

He also brought out Song of Seven in 1980. Another work of art.

@inckyprog6924

2 жыл бұрын

@@alangraham10 True, Anderson was very productive in 1980

Very underrated album. In my mind, this is the album where Squire and White really connect to set up an amazing groove on every song. Espacially Tempus Fugit. Your reaction did not disappoint! Thanks Jim!

It's One of the best Yes albums of all their albums. Certainly one of my favorites. Drama was given to me 😃 as a Birthday 🎂 gift in 80's. I lost it and now.... thanks 🙏 to you, I am going to buy the vinyl again!!! Love ❤️ your reaction 💗

@JimNewstead

2 жыл бұрын

Awww, that’s great! I hope you enjoy it again 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

Hi Jim! Welcome to Drama! As I have said before, I'm not keen on Trevor Horn's vocals, but the music is very good. Going back to the Yes story and the Paris sessions and the split in the band over 3 members wanting a heavier sound, and Rick and Jon wanting a more melodic album. Well the three remaining members got their heavier sound :-).

Like a lot of Yes fans, I wrote this album off for a long time because of the absence of Jon Anderson. In recent years I decided to give this album a fair shake, and it is a much better album than I ever gave it credit. Maybe not up their with their best work, but certainly a worthy entry in their discography and better than anything that came after it. This is easily Yes at their heaviest, so I can totally see why this would be so appealing to you, Jim.

Yes disowned this album for many many years. They sort of pretended it never happened which is a shame coz its an amazing record. It should have put Yes up there with the new prog band Rush but after a short tour it was forgotten. I found it in my friends mums record collection when i was a teenager and loved it straight away.

@Daniel-415-Ponce

Жыл бұрын

Blame Jon Anderson - - he is the one member of the band who consistently refused to perform any material from the Drama album during live shows in later years.

Ooo... This should be good. I'm interested to see your reaction to the change in the sound

@JimNewstead

2 жыл бұрын

It’s wonderful!

It would be interesting to listen to Duke by Genesis next, it's their album from 1980.

An enjoyable album not too shabby

The part at the end where Squire starts 'walking' the bass line just kills me every time. Still my favorite Yes album (and the one that convinced me to listen to Yes in the first place)

@JimNewstead

2 жыл бұрын

I’m torn, because there are so many other amazing records they’ve made that I’ve listened to. This is certainly right at the top!

@chadmitchell7648

2 жыл бұрын

@@JimNewstead No need to be torn. I love all of Yes' work (even Tormato). Drama was just the entryway I needed to open my mind up to the rest of their music.