I Rank All 21 Yes Albums... The Ultimate Prog Rock Journey!

[@TheProgCorner]

Good list but… THE LADDER is amazing.

[@ProgAxia]

Hey Scot, yep in the grand scheme of things, every Yes album is brilliant... I know your favorite is Tales, and that could have been mine on another day.. 😎

[@TheProgCorner]

@@ProgAxia Absolutely!!!!!!👍

[@toddhill7483]

I concur Scot

[@Mattomega]

@@ProgAxia you chose well with Relayer :) I probably would’ve put Fragile higher than GFTO, but great list and awesome commentary! Love all Yes!

[@Warp75]

Best one of these types of vids on Yes I’ve seen. Pretty much agree with all of it.

[@ProgAxia]

Hey thanks for that. Really appreciate it. What would have been you're top 3? 😎

[@dhalsim-1]

Their very first album called 'YES' has a great raw sound to it. The bonus tracks added to the CD version give it a jazzy vibe too. I'd probably have it at no.5 or 6

[@ProgAxia]

There's also some really good early footage floating around on KZbin, of them playing live that is on fire 😎

[@MatheusManzano]

21. Heaven and Earth 20. Open Your Eyes 19. The Quest 18. Union 17. Big Generator 16. Mirror to the Sky 15. Fly From Here 14. Tormato 13. Yes 12. Talk 11. The Ladder 10. Keystudio (studio songs in KTA I & II) 9. Time and a Word 8. Magnification 7. Drama 6. Going for the One 5. Fragile 4. Tales From Topographic Oceans 3. Relayer 2. Close to the Edge 1. The Yes Album

[@ProgAxia]

Nice ranking, In nearly all the ranking submitted to the channel and this specific video have put all the older albums at the top which says a lot about the substance of those incredible albums 😎

[@styles8007]

I saw the Yesshows 1977 tour in Louisville, Ky, and Donovan opened for Yes. What a show. Such memories. My first Yes album I bought was Relayer back when it was first released in 1974. And then I bought Tales. My brother had Fragile, Close to the Edge. My first Yes concert was The Yes Solo's Tour 1976 with Badfinger opening. I personally think the last outstanding Yes album was Keys to Accession vol.2. Thanks for the post. Cheers from Indiana 👍

[@ProgAxia]

I remember Donovan supporting Yes in the 70's and a warm welcome from England 😎

[@frankschneller2627]

Thanks for your opinion and expertise. I like your ranking. In deed all these lists are very, very personal and subjective, as you said. Also a very important hint is, that it matters, where one comes from - era, age, memories, context ... I got introduced to YES as a 13 year old mainstream or classic rock fan (Saga, Boston, Supertramp, Toto, Styx, Journey, ...) by '90125'. That was a huge hit album in germany, where I am from. I remember that every 'true' (and older) YES fan did not accept that record while new listeners - like me - loved it. About 40 years later - I meanwhile discovered Prog Rock and YES, even though it is still not my only or even favorite genre - I like and appreciate YES a lot. But with my personal background, my Top 10 list would look like this: 1. 'The Yes Album' and '90125' 3. 'Yes', 4. 'Time and a word', 5. 'Drama', 6. 'Close to the edge', 7. 'Fragile', 8. 'Going for the one', 9. Tormato', 10. 'Big Generator' ... or 'Relayer'? Hmm, I don't know. And, there I said it: I absolutely dislike 'Tales from topographic oceans'. Can't stand it. Too complicated, self-absorbed and even pretentious - for me. I don't get that feeling you describe. But that's the fun part about music, right? It's so individual and debatable. Prog fans are particularly passionate about it ;-) Cheers! Thanks again for your video.

[@ProgAxia]

Hi Frank, thanks for the comment, I love the way you described your entry point to the band. We came in a different points to Yes, but they have touched us both. Your ranking is great. I understand your journey and it's wonderful. 😎

[@richardnelson9453]

Considering you mentioned having 'everything' music-wise, I hope you'll consider more rankings or discussing your top 3 or 5 from the other bands you cherish on the level of Yes.

[@ProgAxia]

Hi Richard, yes we talk about a lot of prog. I have just done ranking of Gentle Giant with more on the cards 😎

[@richardnelson9453]

@@ProgAxia I watched that ranking and paid you a compliment. Glad to hear you have more on deck. I'm really looking forward to them. Thank you.

[@ProgAxia]

@@richardnelson9453 Thanks Richard. I'm not doing this full time but really enjoy it. Glad you liked the ranking. Make sure you hit the notifications.. All the best Andy 😎

[@JamesLamm-jt7vg]

Fragile was the launching pad for their greatest albums of Close, Tales and Relayer

[@garypowell1540]

Without trying to judge their worthiness or anything technical my list is simply what I played the most, which logically must have therefore been my favourite. As you may be able to tell from my list I have a preference for the long stuff which runs through most of the kind of music I like. As a general rule it needs to take me somewhere keep me there for a while and take the time to bring me back again. 1) Tales from Topographic Oceans 2) Relayer 3) Going for the One 4) Close to the Edge 5) Fragile 6) The Yes Album 7) Time and a Word 8) Yes 9) 90125 10)Drama

[@ProgAxia]

That's a great top 10, can't argue with any of it.. 😎

[@stevenhanson1454]

I totally agree with your inclusion of the first 2 albums making your top 10. They were doing what Vanilla Fudge & Deep Purple were doing on their early albums. Mingling their own tracks with interesting cover songs Fudge to Pchychedelic & Purple to UK "Fudge". Yes's first 2 were in a category of their own. A good companion to Yes & Time & A Word are their BBC sessions 2 disc set of this same period. Tony Kaye and Peter Banks Flash & Badger CD's are all worth a listen as well.

[@FUNKYTRUMPETER]

Agree about Relayer, in fact it would be my no.1! I wish P Moraz had hung around for longer - so many good ideas come through making the album there most advanced harmonically. But he was kicked out, apparently the chemistry wasn't there and, according to him, he was treated rather high handedly by the rest of the band.

[@ProgAxia]

Yep, Relayer is one of my all time favorite albums. It's sad that there was so much struggle and infighting. You hear a lot about people being treated badly within the camp. I love the vibe Moraz brought to Yes. 😎

[@drivenbeyondbelief]

I think your top 10 is near enough spot on, however I have put mine and I know it's s personal thing, dependent on when you come into the land of Yes and what clicks with you.. 1) Tales from Topographic Oceans 2) Close to the Edge 3) Going for the One 4) Relayer 5) Fragile 6) The Yes Album 7) Time and a Word 8) Drama 9) 90125 10) Yes Greatr vid mate 👽

[@ProgAxia]

To be honest, any of the top 4 could have been changed around depending how I felt at the time, or what I'd listen to last ha ha 😎

[@terrywilliams7827]

1. 90125 2.Close to the edge 3. Relayer

[@ProgAxia]

oooh that's contentious Terry ha ha 😎

[@baruyero]

Fantastic video. I wonder what you think about the new Jon Anderson's album. Thanks

[@ProgAxia]

Thanks... I posted a review of this yesterday.. here it is LINK: kzbin.info/www/bejne/l6qnfZ55hMqKg8U 😎

[@baruyero]

@@ProgAxia thanks si mucho great Chanel

[@genericusername1365]

Jon Anderson/Band Geeks "True" album is pretty good. I give it pretty close to 4 out of 5 stars. We'll see after the years pass by if it fades closer to 3.5 stars. I saw them live recently, and it was a great show. His voice sounded strained for the first 3 or so songs, then miraculously improved to wonderful after that. Maybe he just needed to warm up his voice.

[@ProgAxia]

@@genericusername1365 Man, I'm a musician and sometime, you're not in the zone and then the audience gives you strength and good vibes and suddenly you're right in there and loving the vibe.. As for True, I think it will go down as a great Jon Anderson album. I just hope they can follow it up with as much passion and excitement for the project. 😎

[@leovanlierop4580]

Thanks for that! Before I watched this, I tried to rank them my self first. And astonishingly (or not), the top 3 albums are exactly the same as I chose them! For me Fragile is 4th, so there it ends. As for Relayer, that is the best album by far. BUT, Close to the Edge is more musical and speaks more to the heart and it cemented the band into legendary status, and therefor has to be number 1. One last note, thanks for mentioning Parallels! And now time to listen to some albums you've gotten me curious about.

[@holydiver73]

22. Heaven and Earth 21. The Quest 20. Open Your Eyes 19. Mirror to the Sky 18. Fly From Here 17. Union 16. KeysStudio 15. Magnification 14. Big Generator 13. The Ladder 12. Drama 11. Yes 10. Time and a Word 9. Tormato 8. 90125 7. Talk 6. The Yes Album 5. Takes from Topographic Oceans 4. Fragile 3. Relayer 2. Close to the Edge 1. Going for the One.

[@robinheisey198]

It’s all subjective, but this is the correct ranking 😊

[@neurophile]

I like "Heaven And Earth", which is more sunshine pop than progressive, because I like sunshine pop music !

[@martinlepage7576]

Yes ! I only know 6 -7 albums... The thing is, when i feel like listening to Yes , i revisit the same ones. Yes album ,close to the edge ,fragile ,relayer ,tropographic oceans.Thanks for the review =) i will listen to Yes albums that i dont know❤ because of you! I would like you to review van der graaf generator albums review. Its one of ma favorite band.

[@ProgAxia]

Hi Martin, I'm the same as you, I tend to go back to my old favs. The later Yes albums have on the whole been disappointing.. As for Van Der Graaf, I will do a ranking as they are one on my favorite bands as well.. Thanks for the comment and suggestion 😎

[@wesleyscott3465]

I bought Tormato before any other Yes album. Grew to love it.

[@genericusername1365]

Ah the much maligned Tormato album. I secretly love it too (don't tell anyone).

[@ProgAxia]

Tormato is a great album 😎

[@stevelamonica2297]

Man, it's so cool to see someone who mirrors my Yes favorites. Going For The One is undoubtedly my favorite, maybe my favorite album of all time. But Tales, Edge and Relayer are all close. A quadruple of perfect albums!!!

[@ProgAxia]

Going For The One is a stonking album! 😎

[@adrianmutimer3820]

Yup, agree. You really got this all right.

[@TRANZEURO]

In my mind the last *REAL* Yes album is 'Magnification". I can't accept the stuff that came after.

[@ProgAxia]

I hear you.. It was quite hard to rate 21 t0 12.. as many of them are just a little pedestrian for a band of the calibre of Yes.. Thanks for the comment 😎

[@irical100]

Man, after I heard - and fell in love with - the Yessongs version of "Close To The Edge", I really understood how the magic of a song like this that has been given the chance to simmer a bit from the exercise of playing it makes it all the MUCH better. I can't listen to the studio version without feeling like it is nothing but a rough outtake rehearsal version of the live Yessongs version. I realize that Yessongs did not deliver as a great live recording but even with its sonic flaws, I don't know, to me there was just something magic, something special, something dynamically superior and more robust in it's execution to the studio version of the song CTTE. My2cents

[@JimmyV1530]

Just found your channel, great post. I agree your top 5 can go almost in any order. I will say my most go to YES albums are Live / Yes Songs & Yes Shows, I also have a Japanese double CD of live material from the Drama tour. Drama still is a little special to me since that was my first concert ever. It was great seeing Jon Anderson last Friday night & hearing all the YES classics & his voice still held up just fine.

[@ProgAxia]

Hey Jimmy, I'm really jealous of you seeing Jon and the Geels live. I'm hoping they will be over in the UK soon. Those Live albums are fantastic.. A few years ago I did a podcast with my good friend Paul, who we call Dr Prog because he has a PHD is Progressive Rock, believe it or not ha ha! Anyway we did a podcast looking at out top 10 live prog rock albums of all time and I had Yessongs in at #2.. you can see that vid here > kzbin.info/www/bejne/g4PXmn2Jn89nn9U I also gave an honourable mention to Keys To Assention Parts 1 & 2 and Yesshows..

[@JimmyV1530]

@@ProgAxia It really was a great set list & the band was tight.

[@ProgAxia]

@@JimmyV1530 Have you listened to the True album from Jon Anderson & The Band Geeks?

[@JimmyV1530]

@ProgAxia absolutely, I have the autographed CD from Jon's website & it has been played often. Truly love hearing Jon play new muisc.

[@tomhenninger4153]

1. Close to the Edge 2. The YES Album 3. Going for the One 4. Relayer 5. Fragile 6. Tales Thanks for the video! 🙂

[@ProgAxia]

Could not argue with your ranking Tom... Thanks for the comment. I absolutely love each and every one of theses albums.. 😎

[@tomhenninger4153]

@@ProgAxia exactly… splitting hairs here. They are all great!!!

[@mikeloomis5435]

Love the order of your top 5! To me Time and a Word & Yes are the next 2. I'm not a huge fan of Tales. The reason I would have Union a bit higher than #12 is Bill Bruford.

[@hdeeps2964]

1 Close To The Edge (of course, one of top Lps ever & agree on all points) My first choice for desert island must have list.... but if there was only some power to play it lol 2 Fragile (amazing, balanced, they're excited with new line up and it shows and a big step to what would be next) 3 Relayer (still blows me away amazing) ,( saw 75' and 76 tours with Moraz that featured some Relayer) 4 Going For The One ( a change and a chance, and well done, great Lp) 5 The Yes Album (great) 6 Time and a Word ( THEN = one of the best Yes songs ever and the orchestration is great) 7 Tomato ( was 17 when came out & it challenged me with the new direction but learned to really like, think it's the last really good Yes Lp and WAS 1ST TOUR IN THE ROUND 78-79 ) 8 Drama (too bad Horn sang on it but some great bass and music ) 9 Tales (should have been condensed to ONE cd by shortening song parts and omitting others but the follow up to Close Edge has some of that magic) Everything after this list should not be mentioned in a real Yes list. A lot of the points ProgAxia made I totally agree with. Even though I was happy Yes got a 2nd life in 83 with 90215 and then Big Gen and saw both tours, I almost wished they had changed their name to Cinema. They are a band that still influence my song writing as well as Radiohead, Elbow, Beatles, P Floyd, and so many newer artist.

[@ProgAxia]

Can't disagree, great top 9... 😎

[@staggerlee6794]

I do have to chuckle at how Topographic Oceans seems to have had a renaissance in recent years. I remember at the time of its release it was universally panned not only by music critics but by hardcore Yes fans and even by members of the band itself. But now it appears in the top 5 of many folks best Yes album lists. I've always liked it musically and I only stopped playing it (and other prog bands) because when I was aged 15, punk came along and my music listening tastes changed dramatically. However, I never stopped liking Yes's output from The Yes Album up to and including 'Going For The One' and I am so happy that Topographic is now receiving the love and respect it truly deserves.

[@ProgAxia]

Same here, Tales is a fantastic album. To me Tales From Topographic Oceans is one of the most magical and beautiful recordings of all time. I could have easily put it higher on any other day

[@staggerlee6794]

@@ProgAxia People sometimes complain about the length of the album like it's the Wagner's 'Ring Cycle' or something! 😆

[@ProgAxia]

Comes to something when a prog fan could think a double album is too long ha ha

[@staggerlee6794]

@@ProgAxia 😆

[@wesleyscott3465]

Tales From Topographic Oceans is my personal all time favorite Yes album. PERIOD!!!

[@MalcolmSmith-d4o]

Loving this video, and as a lifelong YES fan this completely resonates with me. Totally agree with the top 3, great work Andy 👍

[@ProgAxia]

Thanks Mal... appreciate it 😎

[@paulvalletta01]

Great choice, from conception to creation, CTTE is the masterpiece of Yes. It is interesting how every Yes fan has a narrative on how they got into the band? For me it was 1978, I was at an "institution" for a short stretch of time, only one person used the music room, I could hear this amazing, truly beautiful sound, it was CTTE i get up get down, i asked if i could sit down to listen, do not say a word, just listen to the music was his reply. My musical life changed for me at that sitting, forever grateful. Top five for me personally, and for reasons not to be shared are 5) Relayer 4)Tormato 3)Going for the one 2) Tales from topographic oceans 1) Close to the edge. Amazing video

[@ProgAxia]

Hey Paul.. thanks for sharing and a great top 5 😎

[@genericusername1365]

Yep, CTTE is not only the best YES album, it is generally the best prog album ever, and is the classic example of the genre. Thanks for having Tormato on your list (you're brave!) since I'm one of the few who love that album.

[@staggerlee6794]

Some days 'Relayer' is my favourite Yes album of all time and other days it is 'Close To The Edge' And yes, CttE is probably the greatest prog album of all time.

[@paulbrookes413]

CTTE is a 'Sacred Cow'

[@martinlepage7576]

I hear you! While listening to a great album or just after, i almost always tell to myself : thats my favorite album!!! Still happen when i listen to almost any pink floyd albums, with some exeptions that i wont name.

[@staggerlee6794]

@@martinlepage7576 With Floyd I have a similar battle between 'Wish You Were Here' and Animals. Of course DSotM is remarkable and easily one of the greatest albums of any genre ever made, but their following two albums probably had a greater affect on me on a personal level. Being 15yo when Animals was released, I was at a personal development stage where I was taking more notice of politics and social issues, so it hit home pretty hard.

[@Rickengeezer]

My list, at least at this moment: 21. Mirror to the Sky 20. The Quest 19. Open Your Eyes 18. Heaven and Earth 17. Keystudio (Keys 1 > Keys 2 originals) 16. Big Generator 15. Talk 14. Yes 13. Magnification 12. Union 11. 90125 11. Time and a Word 10. Drama 9. Fly From Here (original > return trip) 8. Tormato 7. The Ladder 6. Going for the One 5. Tales 4. Relayer 3. The Yes Album 2. Fragile 1. Close to the Edge ABWH I'd probably put in front of Union. JA & the Band Geeks, which I consider more Yes than at least the two most recent "official Yes" releases, I'd put somewhere in the top 10.

[@markholmes2357]

Really enjoyed this. I also believe The Yes Album - Going For The One is the greatest run of albums any artist has ever done. Just one minor point, by having an image of your top 5 or so Yes albums you rather took away an element of intrigue as to what your ranking was going to be. Maybe holding a copy of Open Youe Eyes or Union might have made for an Interesting diversion!

[@ProgAxia]

I totally agree from The Yes Album to Going For The One in one hell of a run of absolutely magnificent albums.. So glad you enjoyed the video 😎

[@paulbrookes413]

What's wrong with Tormato ? !

[@markholmes2357]

@@paulbrookes413 For me Tormato isn't a bad album just the most disappointing album of all time for me from the perspective of anticipation not being met (not even closely ). I remember buying Tormato and listening to it with my brother - we concluded it sounded like demos as opposed to fully worked out songs . Compare the openers Future Times/Rejoice to the openers on their classic period. It doesn't compare to Close To The Edge, Gates of Delirium Roundabout, Your Is No Disgrace etc. Take the closing track, Silent Wings Of Freedom - put that in the boxing ring with Awaken, the closing track off GFTO, Awaken would knock it out in the opening round! Circus of Heaven, Onward, Arriving UFO just can't compare with And You And I, Sound Chaser, Your Move, Heart Of The Sunrise etc. What's wrong with Tormato? It's an album that revealed that Yes were mere mortals after all and, IMHO, never really fully recovered from.

[@paulbrookes413]

​@@markholmes2357I love the vibe of Tormato! It's very approachable, without losing any of the idiosyncrasies! OPEN YOUR EARS 😁

[@markholmes2357]

@@paulbrookes413 I bought the album the week it came out in 1978 - so my ears have been open to it long enough thanks! 🤣🤣

[@alfietomkins7829]

I pretty much enjoyed everything from the debut up to Big generator. After that everything pales in comparison. The current Yes line up should be called the Steve Howe band. Nothing wrong with the last two albums but to me its not Yes. My rankings would be 12. Big Generator 11.Yes debut 10. Time and a word 9. Tormato 8. Drama 7. 90125 6. Fragile 5. Tales from Topographic Oceans 4. Going for the one 3. The Yes Album 2. Relayer 1. Close to the edge I enjoyed Union and bits and pieces from later albums, the best of the later albums for me is Magnification, thats my honorable mention. The first 12 albums are their best work for me.

[@ProgAxia]

Hey Alfie, great ranking.. That top 6 are just amazing albums!! 😎

[@alfietomkins7829]

@ProgAxia I totally agree, I think those 6 are definitely their most interesting, musically accomplished albums, and the ones that represent everything that Yes did brilliantly

[@smilerpink]

Good list. A lot of this is personal taste. Can’t quibble too much with any of it. I particularly liked your top four and the notion that they are pretty much interchangeable, again according to personal taste. The band’s top albums are of such high quality in terms of musicianship, composition and groundbreaking creativity. Close to the Edge would be my top choice as well with no shade to the others. With Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon, it is a genre defining album.

[@ProgAxia]

You're absolutely right, it does all come down to personal opinion. I think it depends on when you first get into a band or the first album that captivated you. Thanks for the comment 😎

[@ZealZaddy]

As a fellow lifelong Yes fan, I have my own list. It’s pretty different from yours from 4 on. Like your friend, I’m not a huge fan of Tales from Topographic Oceans, and I struggled with where to place it in my ranking (I’ve had it everywhere from 10 all the way up to 16). And Tormato is hard for me to get through outside of On the Silent Wings of Freedom. 1. Close to the Edge 2. Relayer 3. Fragile 4. Drama 5. Going for the One 6. 90125 7. Magnification 8. The Yes Album 9. The Ladder 10. Tales From Topographic Oceans

[@ProgAxia]

Sounds great, it's so subjective. It's all about where you come into yes, and simply what grabs you at the time. Your top 10 is just a valid as mine, it's just those albums meant so much more to me. Thanks for the comment 😎

[@paulbrookes413]

​@@ProgAxiaI started with CTTE, but I think it's terribly overrated !

[@FUNKYTRUMPETER]

Cheekily, I wonder where you'd place Anderson, Wakeman, Bruford, Howe?

[@ProgAxia]

I bought this album at the time and listened to it a lot. It was good to have what could have been seen as a Yes album at the end of the 80's.. For that reason I quite liked it.. But today I really struggle with it. I really don't like the drums.. I'm a big Bill Bruford fan and I don't understand his love for electronic drum kits. After many years of listening to it I'm not a massive fan. At the time it felt like another Yes album to listen to. Now, comparing it with the incredible Yes albums in the catalogue, it feels a little lame, and I absolutely hate 'The Meeting' and 'Quartet'. The problem, I think is that the early days of Yes were always on the edge, and ABWH was at a point where they were just contacted to do albums, which commercially achieved, but Yes fans just passed it by. I feel the same. It was nice at the time, but put up against any of my top 10 and it's not that great.. How do you feel about the album? That's the question.. And thanks for the comment. 😎

[@FUNKYTRUMPETER]

I've only skimmed through it. I remember quite liking Brother of Mine but on hearing it again years later I was a bit underwhelmed. To be honest, my interest in Yes waned after Going for the One although I do think Owner of a Lonely Heart is magnificent ​@@ProgAxia

[@ProgAxia]

@@FUNKYTRUMPETER I think you are 100% spot on 😎

[@FUNKYTRUMPETER]

@@ProgAxia and I have a huge soft spot for Olias. It's intertwined with memories of the hot summer of '76

[@jayspeijer614]

Can’t really quibble much with your top half dozen or so… In my current mood I’d go 1) Relayer, 1A) Going For the One, 3) Close to the Edge. At your lower range I personally would boost ‘Talk’ up a few spots and place ‘Fly From Here’ much higher (top 10 or 12 for me). Keystudio, which you have understandably left out, has some great songs and I’d slide it somewhere in the lower middle area of the ranking.

[@ProgAxia]

Yeah.. KeyStudio has some amazing track, it's just that it's no counted as a studio album officially as it's really a compilation.. but great non the less.. 😎

[@girthbloodstool339]

Largely agree, except that I think you over-rate Going For The One, which I would rate just above Tormato. I really think their melodic muse has abandoned them on this one - I've heard peple quote Awaken as an amazing song, but I don't think it contains enough ideas for a five minute tune, let alone a 15 minuter.

[@ProgAxia]

Thanks for the comment. Ranking is totally subjective, What you need to remember is I was 17 when that album came out. I purchased it on the day of it's release and then went to the Yes tour that year. It was massive for me and my friends, so it holds a special place in my heart. I love the album and Awaken is one of my favorite head trips from that time. 😎

[@girthbloodstool339]

@@ProgAxia ha yep, born in 1960 myself. Thought it was a huge fall from Relayer, and still do.

[@ProgAxia]

@@girthbloodstool339 Don't get me wrong, in Yes album terms Relayer is head and shoulders above Going For The One, but I still love that album and the times we had going to see them...

[@genericusername1365]

Well I'll include the ratings here from prog archives online (it's not my personal order of faves). The numbers after the titles are the average star ratings out of 5. It's 24 YES studio albums because I'm including Fly From Here: Return Trip, and also including the Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe album. Not including the Keys To Ascension albums, nor the From A Page studio sessions. 1. Close To The Edge 4.68 2. Fragile 4.46 3. Relayer 4.38 4. The YES Album 4.32 5 Going For The One 4.06 6. Tales From Topographic Oceans 3.92 7. Drama 3.77 8. Magnification 3.73 9. KeyStudio 3.59 10. Fly From Here 3.42 11. Mirror To The Sky 3.39 12. Time And A Word 3.35 13. YES 3.29 14. The Ladder 3.27 15. Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe 3.21 16. Fly From Here Return Trip 3.19 17. Talk 3.08 18. 90125 3.05 19. Tormato 3.01 20. The Quest 2.89 21. Big Generator 2.57 22. Union 2.52 23. Heaven & Earth 2.30 24. Open Your Eyes 2.06

[@ProgAxia]

Thanks for the comment, but I don't get their rating. I know it's feedback, but 'Fly From Here' at '10? That's bonkers, and Tormato at 19? Hope you enjoyed my ranking. I know it's subjective but 'Fly From Here is shocking coming from a band like Yes.. I'd live to know what your top 10, but from your heart 😎

[@genericusername1365]

@@ProgAxia Those are the overall ratings from hundreds/thousands of reviews, so it is what it is by popular vote of members (and staff) of prog archives. Yeah, I'll post my top 10 when I have a chance, or even my complete ranking. Seems like it's constantly changing though, like with the DRAMA album, which keeps creeping higher and higher on my list over the years. It's a regular 'go to' repeat lisen YES album for me. CTTE #1 for me, though. And it's so interesting how two people can have different views, but it's MUSIC, which speaks to the soul. For me, although they're not my faves, I quite like the Fly From Here albums, but like you, I do like Tormato quite a bit even though it has a mediocre rating. We're all different, and that's OK.

[@ProgAxia]

@@genericusername1365 I just think it's an interesting exercise.. I did it on video, so I really had to think about it and commit myself on video, but it's a really hard process to think about, write down, change it, go and listen to all the albums again and finally come up with a definitive list with explanation.. I tell you it's not easy. It's 100% subjective, but it's an interesting exercise, and it makes you realise what those albums really meant to you.. I look forward to seeing your ranking, just do it from the heart. Remember, you CAN NOT be wrong! 😎

[@RobertMurphy-nc5kx]

Believe it or not, I bought CTTE, never having heard Yes, because of the cover. I loved Roger Dean's logo and I loved the textured green exterior of the gatefold. It was 1976 and I bought it at JC Penny's ... yup, JCP used to carry albums. I got it home and listened. For a long time I only played side 2. I was 14 years old. But over time side one won me over! I completely agree with you, to this day it's still exciting and dangerous and risky and fantastic!

[@simpleman5688]

Love your Penny’s take! They also had a chord book of Steppenwolf: The Second, that I wish I had gotten…

[@Mattomega]

Arriving UFO has some of Yes’ best playing.

[@volpeverde6441]

YES had some BALLS writing a song like CIRCUS OF HEAVEN / ARRIVING U.F.O. at the height of punk....

[@wesleyscott3465]

​@@volpeverde6441I have always thought that Tormato was a Yes tribute to The Beatles 'Sergeant Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band,' as it was released approximately 10 years later, and had songs as eclectic and innovative as Sgt. Peppers.

[@genericusername1365]

Although I love Tormato, "Arriving UFO" is one of the songs people complain about (not I). It could have been improved if Wakeman would have spent a bit more time fleshing out his parts. It's obvious listening to it, that not much time was dedicated to his contributions to that otherwise good song. A little more thought on the keyboard parts would have resulted in a better reception (but I still like it, unlike others). Another song which was controversial was Circus Of Heaven. I do like it, but really it belonged on a Jon Anderson solo album, not a YES album. Release, Release is a great song (I love it) but some have criticized it because of the interlude with the spliced-in audience sounds. I guess some people didn't like it. A few other things here and there on the album and it could have been right up there with the previous YES albums. It is for me, but that's just me.

[@Rodeo1202]

Yeh the Ladder was a very good album. Magnification is also great.

[@charleswagner2984]

The Ladder is 4th and Magnification is 2nd favorite Yes albums. They are great Yes albums

[@stephencoe680]

Is it any coincidence that the top ten are also the first ten (and the only ten I have on vinyl)? Personally, I never heard another Yes album for what must have been another 35 years (when I discovered streaming). But to me, Gates of Delirium is the single best piece of (progressive rock) music ever recorded , so for me Relayer is always number 1, but 2, 3 and 4 depend on my mood (but are CTTE, TFTO and GFTO).

[@ProgAxia]

100%.. Relayer is the best album I've ever heard, until I listen to Close To The Edge again.. etc.. etc.. It's impossible rank the top 3, but I think Close To The Edge, is as near to perfect as you can get on one album.. Man it's so hard!!!

[@alexshkoditch4593]

Where would you place Keystudio? It is the studio tracks from both Keys to Ascension sets, isolated and re-sequenced. It's also long out of print as a stand-alone album. I had to program those tracks in the sequence given in the Key Studio CD from the Accension albums, and realized that I was listening to the last great album performed by the classic line up.

[@ProgAxia]

Keystudio s a really good album, I would have put it around #11 only because that top 10 are all really great, and important yes albums. It's a shame they didn't do a proper vinyl release because it should be part of the canon of studio albums. 😎

[@charleswagner2984]

​@@ProgAxiaI count Keys and Keys 2 as two separate albums with new studio tracks. Keys 2 is much better than Keys.

[@genericusername1365]

KeyStudio is ranked #9 of all YES albums on prog archives online.

[@harleyw]

I put Tales at #1. (Most days 😂) In my thoughts, I put 3 other albums on my list, even though they aren't technically YES Studio albuns: Olias of Sunhillow, Fish out of Water, and True. Each of them would rate highly on my top 21 and toss some of the other ones off... Olias and True in particular are 'essential' YES. FOOW is brilliant in its own right. Cheers!😊

[@ProgAxia]

I'm with you on all those, Olias and Fish Out Of Water are essential listening in my house, have been for years, but obviously could not include them, and True, well I love it... Just did a review of it. As for Tale, it's probably one of my favorite albums of all time. I just get immersed in it. 😎

[@paulbrookes413]

'True' Is more Frill than Thrill !

[@brianmurphy7646]

Top 8 for me from 8 to 1 would be 8. Yes - yours is no disgrace. 7. Fragile - long distance runaround. 6. Tormato - don't kill the whale. 5. Drama . Machine messiha. 4. Close to the edge . 3. Topographic oceans - ritual. 2. Going for the one - wondrous stories. 1. Relayer - the gates of delerium. BUT..... topping all of those would be jon anderson - olias of sunhillow.

[@ProgAxia]

Great choices Bri.. Love Olias so much. Such an amazing album 😎

[@JorisPtrs]

Jesus, didnt know they had that many... ! Guess i left around Tormato. Epic band. Chris Squire was a main part of their sound and the main reason i started to listen to Yes. I prefered the work with Bill Bruford on drums.

[@michaelschouchristensen4848]

Relayer is No. 1.Patrick Moraz takes the music to an other level.

[@paulbrookes413]

Always found Relayer a bit of a jumble

[@charleswagner2984]

​@@paulbrookes413Relayer is the finest concept album ever created.

[@genericusername1365]

@@paulbrookes413 Everybody is different, and that's OK. I took me a while to warm up to Relayer, but now I love it. It's awesome.

[@perigee1275]

I really love all their albums produced by Eddie Offord. A lot of Going for the One, some of Tormato. I didn't care for anything after that.

[@genericusername1365]

You're missing out. You didn't like Drama? I LOVE that album (my 7th fave YES album). What about "Talk" from the Rabin years (his best one)?

[@davescryptodays1441]

For me The Ladder needs to be above Open Your Eyes (dreadful stuff) and Big Generator needs to be below 90125; 90125's impact is still felt but I agree there ARE more classic YES tropes on Big Generator. I rather like the original Fly From Here album as well. Interesting take on your ratings/faves - enlightening. It's all very personal depending on when you first heard an album - great stuff!

[@ProgAxia]

Hi Dave.. you have got ranking 100%. It all depend on how old you are, how you got into the band, the live gigs you went to and the people around you.. It's totally subjective. I'd love to know your top 10 and why, personally... 😎

[@toddhill7483]

Excellent video. I respect your personal ranking. I have The Ladder ranked much higher. Also, in my opinion 90125 is far superior to Big Generator.

[@peterjoynes6765]

I would have chosen the same top four. I went to the Wembley Arena gig with the moving stage

[@ProgAxia]

That was a fantastic gig... Yeas at their best 😎

[@nuclearbumrecords]

This list reflects someone who started with Yes before me, and I guess would reflect older fans in terms of the top few albums. My first experience of Yes, on the other hand, was the Owner single, followed immediately by Drama, before 90125 appeared. So as you say, it comes down to when you discover Yes a little. Those 2 albums, Big Generator, even Union are high for me (now who's unpopular haha). I don't see Howe's guitar sound as the sound of Yes, it's more him and Rabin and Banks. I'm Running is a belter of a Yes song. Tormato has a couple of good songs but overall feels like an album of demos, where the keys and guitar often don't complement each other. I don't like Open Your Eyes or Magnification, which is too orchestral - that's moving away from a band dynamic. Love The Yes Album, Fragile, Time and A Word. The song Going for the One gets on my nerves because of Anderson's vocals, despite my loving him on alot of other stuff, though I felt he killed That, That Is with too many lyrics. Wakeman has contributed greatly to some albums, but done as much damage to others with dismissive one liners (and curry). Benoit was a fabulous singer and I wish there was more. Fly from Here is my favourite of the last couple of decades. I've yet to get into True, it feels like it's trying too hard to be all things to all people and while there's good stuff on there, it feels like a collection of great songs that don't all flow naturally into each other. Anyhow, I'll get my coat...

[@ProgAxia]

Your journey with yes is perfectly valid, so put your coat back on the hook ha ha... It IS all about where you join a bands journey and what inspires you. Yes means different things to different people. I'm happy you love the band. The weird thing is that, even the albums I don't connect with as much as those I love are still really good albums. Thanks for the comment and keep connected to the channel, I'm sure there's loads of bands and music we'll all connect to 😎

[@nuclearbumrecords]

@@ProgAxia I agree, very true. Thanks! :)

[@7karlheinz]

1. Fragile 2. The Yes Album 3. Close to the Edge 4. Yesterdays 5. Tales of Topographical Oceans 6. Yes 7. Time and a Word

[@ProgAxia]

Thanks for sharing, every single one a classic 😎

[@mojoll777]

1. Relayer 2. Tales 3. Yes Album

[@rocky-o]

tales is number one for me..great list...

[@ProgAxia]

Thanks Rocky... Tales id the one I'd take to a desert island... so much wonder on that album 😎

[@staggerlee6794]

My first and only Yes gig was also the Tormato tour. It was either Earls Court or Wembley. They were brilliant live of course, but I was very underwhelmed by the album and I still am. I got rid of the album during the great album cull in the 1980s. I have since toyed with getting it again but have thus far held back.

[@simpleman5688]

Might as well get it. I recently bought Yessongs, GFTO, and Tormato, and #2 as well on cd…

[@staggerlee6794]

@simpleman5688 yeah, it kind of feel like having a bit of a hole in the glory years of Yes discography. If I see a clean OG I'll get it.

[@micksmith3875]

Top 3 can’t disagree mate👍🏻

[@ProgAxia]

Yeah, those 3 albums really are something else! 😎

[@bertbecker7532]

The GFTO tour (my first live Yes) was done on a conventional stage with minimal stage effects (lines across the speaker cabinets resembling the album cover towers). Squire had the backgammon board outfit. The In The Round tour had a better set list, starting with that great 1-2 punch of SK-->HOTS) and featuring that fantastic YesMedley. All imo, lol.

[@hpatss4966]

Yes are such an incredible band. The yes album - Going for the one is QUITE a pantheon of rock

[@ProgAxia]

A great body of work.. shame it was never as good after Going For The One..

[@ChrisB-ms8cd]

i think you could have mentioned great tracks on albums 21-12. There are definitely some good tracks. Especially on The Ladder. Also I believe that (older Yesfans) need to give the Yes west material props in it's own merit. 90125 is remarkable in it's own right, considering that this was a total reinvention of the band , that is definitely Yes. Those 1st 2 records didn't have Steve Howe but is great. That said BG is the best Yeswest in my view as it is yours.

[@elponchex]

How about the new Jon Anderson album, True? It's clearly a Yes album. And it could be pretty up high in a Ranking.

[@ProgAxia]

Ha.. you read my mind. I have literally just posted my review of TRUE about 20 minutes ago.. take a look kzbin.info/www/bejne/l6qnfZ55hMqKg8U 😎 Be great if you could leave a comment on that video, let me know what you think of my review..

[@jacekcel36]

Not sure, gonna check. Definitely ABWH might be considered.

[@paulbrookes413]

It's trying to be 😂

[@ionradu5095]

După opinia mea „Fragile” este #1

[@ProgAxia]

Fragile is an amazing album.. 😎

[@FrankBond0077]

MyRanking from the worst to the best``` (note, albums #18 -> #12 are sharing the same good ranking/rating) ========================= 21) Heaven and Earth (2014) 4.0/10 20) Open Your Eyes (1998) 5.8/10 19) Union (1991) 6.5/10 18) Magnification (2001) 7.3/10 17) Keys Studio (1996/7) 7.5/10 16) The Ladder (1997) 7.5/10 15) Fly from Here (2011) 7.5/10 14) Time And A Word (1969) 7.5/10 13) Talk (1994) 7.5/10 12) Big Generator (1985) 7.5/10 11) 90125 (1983) 7.8/10 10) Yes (1968) 7.8/10 09) Fragile (1971) 8.0/10 08) Relayer (1974) 8.3/10 07) ABWH (1989) 8.5/10 06) Drama (1980) 8.7/10 05) Tormato (1978) 8.7/10 04) The Yes Album (1970) 9.1/10 03) Close To The Edge (1972) 91/10 02) Going For The One (1977) 9.3/10 01) Tales from Topographic Oceans (1973) 9.5/10

[@ProgAxia]

Great to see another person put Tales as their #1. I love that album and on another day it could have taken that slot. Thanks for the comment 😎

[@volpeverde6441]

@@FrankBond0077 topographic in first....same here.... sometimes relayer.... like the yes album/yesterdays/close to the edge/going for the one/tormato/drama/the ladder/magnification/fly from here....

[@phillipnoble7868]

Just a question. They put out 3 albums, I believe in the early 2000's. Keystudio, Keys to Asension one, and Keys To Ascension two. Don't even remember them being released, and there were a few songs I liked, primarily Mind Drive. Being a Yes expert, maybe you or someone else could fill me in on the story behind those records. I believe they are completely out of print, since I can't find them anywhere. Thanks

[@ProgAxia]

Keys to Ascension came out of the the 90's reunion instigated by Castle Communications, a British label that thought it would be a great idea to reunite a classic 70's line up. So Howe and Wakeman came back to join Anderson, Squire and White. They arranged to put on some small intermate gigs in San Luis Obispo where Anderson was living and recorded it.. They also got together in the studio and recorded some new tracks. The problem was the format and distribution. I think the idea was to give Yes fans a new live recording with a classic line up and then give them a bonus of some new songs, but it sort of passed under the radar. Wakeman was really pissed of at the way it was put together. He thought the new material should have been put out as an official band album. The consequence of all this was that, Keys To Ascension and Keys To Ascension 2 didn't really take off and the subsequent Keystudio was a CD released with zero fanfare.. All a bit of a mess really.. I think they should have done these as seperate releases and Really pushed what turned into Keystudio as a BIG new Yes album and toured it properly.. all round a bit of a cock up 😎

[@phillipnoble7868]

@ProgAxia Thanks so much. I figured you'd know the answer. What is your opinion of the new songs on those albums. Mind Drive, That, That Is, Footprints etc?

[@ProgAxia]

@@phillipnoble7868 I've been listening to it all again over the last week or so and I think the music is really good.. There are some incredible moments, reminiscent of old school Yes. I'm going to listen to it a little more, because I'm thinking of doing a video on the back story to that period where they got back together and not only produced a fantastic live show, but also created an incredible double albums worth of new incredible material. 😎

[@phillipnoble7868]

@ProgAxia That would be awesome! I thought Mind Drive, while maybe not on par with the classic 6 early albums, was still the best long song I heard them do since those albums. Looking forward to it.

[@antonnee]

@@ProgAxia Agree. They could have done the Keys 1 and 2 bit differently. Release Keys to Ascension 1 as just a live album, and make Keys to Ascension 2 the release with all the studio tracks., or vice versa. Solid studio output that should have been more successful.

[@walterevans5658]

No apologies for 90125. I'd put that in my Top 5 Yes albums. Although, that is where I got onboard.

[@ProgAxia]

I find it fascinating where we come into listening to a band, I call these gateway albums, the one that gets you into a band and then you discover the back catalogue. I did a video on that concept with my introduction to Soft Machine. kzbin.info/www/bejne/eWSsY4WPmL1onLc where I got into listening to Soft Machine rough Bundles and Softs which was the gateway to their back catalogue. Thanks so much for the comment 😎

[@tomdrnach8319]

I know it’s one man’s opinion but the ladder should of been higher than all the latest works by the new lineup . 🙅🏻

[@ProgAxia]

Yeah everything is subjective and I know lots of people like The Ladder.. The great thing is we have Yes albums that we all love for different reasons.. Thanks for the comment 😎

[@davidcottone2700]

Open your eyes and heaven and earth are my worst its a struggle with each but i don't mind others

[@ProgAxia]

Thanks for the comment David, both of those albums are really annoying. Heaven & Earth with Jon Davison and Jeff Downes, who I've never rated, and Open Your Eyes, even though it had Jon Anderson, it just lacked drive. What was your favorite Yes albums?

[@jameswarner5809]

What happened to the Keys To Ascension studio tracks, which effectively make a double album (brought together in the Keystudio compilation)? That That Is and Mind Drive are quality.

[@ProgAxia]

It wasn't in the ranking because it's not deemed an official Yes studio album, its a compilation. However, I really like it and if it was included it would have been ranked quite high. There are some sections on those recordings that are magnificent.. 😎

[@bojcotrojc3096]

Personally I like Mirror very much. Good that you put GFTO and TFTO so high. Relayer ... well, not my favourite.

[@brendanandjacquimonk5422]

No no not the Ladder so low - it’s a great album

[@ProgAxia]

Homeworld is a great track but for me as soon as Lightning Strikes comes in with that pseudo calypso I'm in Lion King the musical and it all falls apart for me. I've had a few comments that The Ladder is a good album, but then you put Relayer on and that hits the prog spot 😎

[@borisdisko4322]

90125 is way better than Big Generator. Not even close.

[@genericusername1365]

Did you like Talk? I thought it was the best of the Rabin years. Great way for him to end his tenure in YES.

[@borisdisko4322]

@@genericusername1365 Silent Spring is my jam. The middle part is so cool. AND THE WORLD TUUUUURNS. kzbin.info/www/bejne/r5KUlGmHqZV1fqssi=1wGymdAR-PcGYKZl. At 5:20

[@Yes_Jorge_Yes]

I think you missed 2 albums, Keystudio or the the studio songs from Keys to Ascention 1 and 2, and the other album you missed is From a Page. I would have put at 23 Heaven and Earth, 22 The Quest, 21 From a Page. 20 Mirror 19 Fly from Here. the rest I like your ranking.

[@ProgAxia]

Hey, thanks for the comment. I left Keys to Keys to Ascension I and II off because they aren't official studio albums and Keystudio, although a good album full of studio tracks is officially deemed a compilation.. However, I could have spoken about them on the video as Keystudio is a really good album. 😎

[@Yes_Jorge_Yes]

@@ProgAxia fair enough, very good video by the way, congratulations on your channel I am a fan.

[@JeremiahPickardMusic]

I came into yes with an established background in all variety’s of music, so I find something to enjoy out of all their albums, it helps that I wasn’t able to be betrayed in the 80s when they went more accessible. With that out of the way, my ranking of their discography is as follows. 22. Heaven & Earth - best song In A World Of Our Own 21. Union - best song I Would Have Waited Forever 20. The Quest - best song The Ice Bridge 19. Yes - best song Survival 18. Open Your Eyes - best song Wonderlove 17. Keystudio - best song That, That Is 16. Big Generator - best song I’m Running 15. Tormato - best song On The Silent Wings Of Freedom 14. Fly From Here - best song Fly From Here 13. Time And A Word - best song Astral Traveller 12. Mirror To The Sky - best song Mirror To The Sky 11. 90125 - best song It Can Happen 10. Magnification - best song In The Presence Of 9. Talk - best song Endless Dream 8. The Ladder - best song New Language 7. Going For The One - best song Going For The One 6. Drama - best song Into The Lens 5. Fragile - best song Heart Of The Sunrise 4. The Yes Album - best song Yours Is No Disgrace 3. Close To The Edge - best song Close To The Edge 2. Relayer - best song The Gates Of Delirium 1. Tales From Topographic Oceans - best song Ritual

[@ProgAxia]

Hi Jeremiah, great top 22.. Thanks for submitting your list. It's great to see other Yes fans opinions. 😎

[@ProgAxia]

Just a heads up... I just posted an album review of the new Jon Anderson & The Band Geeks LP.. The album is called 'True' and if you're a Yes fan, you may be pleasantly surprised.. LINK: kzbin.info/www/bejne/l6qnfZ55hMqKg8U 😎

[@cyounger5716]

1).Close To The Edge 2).Fragile 3). Relayer 4).The Yes Album 5).Going For The One 6).Tales From Topographic Oceans 7).Tormato 8).90125 9) Big Generator 10). Union 11) The Ladder 12) Time And A Word 13). Yes 14).Magnification 15). Talk 17). Drama 18).Keys Studio The rest suck 19). Open Your Eyes 20). Mirror To The Sky 21). Fly From Here 22). The Quest 23). Heaven And Earth

[@ProgAxia]

Great ranking, I didn't put Keystudio in just because it's no seen as an official studio album, it's catalogued as a compilation, but if I did, I would have put it in somewhere like #11 or #12. I've been listening to it a lot recently and there are some really good old school Yes moments on there. Thanks for the comment and the ranking... 😎

[@martinbamford8315]

I think we can all agree that the six album sequence from The Yes Album to Going For The One is the good stuff and everything else is everywhere else. Personal rankings within that will vary. My favourite Yes-related record outside of those six classics is actually the Anderson-Stolt album Invention of Knowledge

[@paulbrookes413]

Tormato 's Terrific !

[@frisco4758]

You forgot one: Keystudio

[@ProgAxia]

Hi.. thanks for the comment, I left it out only because it wasn't an official vinyl release, it is however a great album.. was listening to it today.. 😎

[@frisco4758]

@@ProgAxia That, That is.

[@LockeTheCole]

My issue with Heaven and Earth is Jon Davison doesn't sound like he has any conviction at ALL in the album... I think with proper balls out singing it'd be amazing, but he sounds so timid, like he was scared to put it out there (despite being an excellent singer on the already released Yes Music) either that or he didn't know how to sing for something that wasn't already predetermined for him. I agree though, easily the worst.

[@ProgAxia]

Yeah, it's a shame, and the music is just so pedestrian as well.. 😎

[@relayer27]

Should you not have included the Keys Studio, I know it was originally released on 2 cds combined with live tracks but it was later released as a complete collection, its the last collabaration of Anderson, Howe, Squire, Wakeman and White and deserves including

[@ProgAxia]

The only reason I didn't include it was because it's not an official studio album release, it catalogued as a compilation, but there are some fantastic tracks on there 😎

[@keriford54]

There are a number of albums with the Yes moniker that just aren't Yes to me, I'm not saying they are good or bad albums. Napoleon Jon Anderson was always at the creative heart of the band & the period up to Tormato has a continuity and it is clearly their great period. I quite like Drama, but to me its heart is closer to Ultravox's Vienna (which I also quite like) than it is to CttE , kind of interesting Horn having this image of an alternate Yes, with a Ballardian dystopian vision rather than Anderson's spiritual vision. Trevor Rabin resisted calling Cinema Yes and he was the leader of Yeswest and his sensibilities had nothing to do with the original band. Maybe Union and Open Your Eyes aren't quite Yes, they're not great albums although I can enjoy them if I'm caught in the right mood. From Magnification on I love all the albums below. Invention of Knowledge and True are more Yesish to me than the recent albums of the band that bears the name Yes. With that controversial take on the legacy out of the way here is my ranking: 15) Open Your Eyes 14) Union 13) Magnification 12) Keys Studio 11) The Ladder 10) Time And A Word 09) Yes 08) Relayer 07) The Yes Album 06) ABWH 05) Tormato 04) Tales from Topographic Oceans 03) Fragile 02) Going For The One 01) Close To The Edge

[@ProgAxia]

Thanks for the comment and a great top 15 there... the Jon Anderson / Roine Stolt album is a great listen and True is bloody marvelous.

[@charleswagner2984]

​​@@ProgAxiaABWH is not a Yes album. Not just because they were not Yes, but because there really isn't any Yes music on it. You got some Jon And Vangelis, Toto and Asia leftovers there, and the rest is Anderson solo songs with Howe and Wakeman helping. I was so glad that Squire sued them to keep them from using the name Yes.

[@ProgAxia]

@@charleswagner2984 100% right, That's the very reason I don't include it, plus it's not a great album. Thanks for the comment 😎

[@anthonyfarshaw8619]

Albums without Jon Anderson don't count. That album which Jon made with The Band Geeks is more Yes than Steve Howe's coverband is.

[@ProgAxia]

I hear you, I feel very much the same way 😎

[@Robert_St-Preux]

The albums without Jon and Chris both are not Yes albums to me, regardless of the b(r)and name on the cover.

[@ProgAxia]

I tend to agree 😎

[@JamesLamm-jt7vg]

I live TALK but you just cannot match Close, Tales, or Relayer

[@michaeldean6691]

I first saw yes in 1969 and I can't get out of the 1970's yes,the 1980's were too over produced, bill bruford/alan white,steve howe,chris squire rick wakeman,jon anderson,that lineup was unbeatable

[@ProgAxia]

I totally agree with you Michael, I'm totally rooted in 70's Yes. I purchased my first Yes album mid 70's as was totally hooked. By the y I'm really jealous of hearing you saw them in 69.. That must have been an incredible experience. 😎

[@michaeldean6691]

It was at a college in southend on sea in 69, tony kaye had his foot in plaster as in the yes album cover

[@ProgAxia]

Very cool.. 😎

[@martynhill3286]

Why didn't you include the ABWH album it's definitely a yes album

[@ProgAxia]

Only because it's not catalogued as a Yes studio album. 😎

[@smalltown2223]

Big fan of Yes but for me Relayer is not good. I’d have it in the bottom 5.

[@ProgAxia]

Relayer for me is bloody awesome... but as I say, it's all subjective.. Thanks you so much for the comment. Keep watching and keep commenting. I love hearing your perspectives.

[@JorisPtrs]

I wonder if i'm the only one that founds that 'Tales' is a great album but it sounds so terribly bad (mix/mastering)? I was something that struck me from the beginning, listening to the LP's. There's simply no low on it. I still cant figure out why this is, and was it done on purpose?

[@grantpenton1850]

I agree with most of this, though my top 10 are: 10 Fly From Here (Return) 9 Keystudio or Keys to Ascension 2 8 Magnification 7 TYA 6 Tormato 5 GFTO 4 CTTE 3 Relayer 2 Fragile 1 TFTO

[@vbassone]

You are completely wrong about Drama which should rank higher than you have it.

[@ProgAxia]

There are no right and wrongs, this is my subjective ranking, I'd love to see yours 😎

[@vbassone]

@@ProgAxia Whatever... "Subjectivity" is always a convenient thing to hide behind when you don't have a well informed opinion. WELL INFORMED Opinion is what you want.... You can have any opinion or list you want, but it doesn't mean that it is well informed. Again. you are definitely wrong about Drama.

[@JamesLamm-jt7vg]

Going for the One never connected with me.

[@ProgAxia]

Hi James, thanks for your comments. It's a shame Going For The One never connected with you because Parallels and Awaken are amazing tracks. 😎

[@JamesLamm-jt7vg]

@@ProgAxia I saw the complete Close and Tales in Columbia SC high on damn good MDA. It was so beautiful.1974 I believe

[@micasaveiro]

I think he fails on the Ladder

[@SunFellow941]

My top 22 albums and favorite songs on each! 22. 90125 (Hearts, It Can Happen, Hold On) 1983 21. Talk (Where will You Be, The Calling, Endless Dream) 1994 20. Big Generator (title track, I'm Running, Final Eyes) 1987 19. Open Your Eyes (New State of Mind, From the Balcony, Universal Garden, hidden track!!!!) 1997 18. Union (Angkor Wat, The Miracle of Life, The original 6 minute Take the Water to the Mountain, Remix of Dangerous) 1991 17. Fly From Here (title track suite, Solitaire) 2011 16. Magnification (In the Presence Of) 2001 15. The Ladder (Finally, New Language/Nine Voices) 1999 14. Time and a Word (Everydays, Astral Traveler, Time and a Word) 1970 13. Yes (Beyond and Before, I See You, Every Little Thing, Survival) 1969 12. Heaven and Earth (Believe Again, Subway Walls, Step Beyond, Light of the Ages) 2014 11. The Yes Album (Perpetual Change, Clap) 1971 10. The Quest (The Ice Bridge, The Western Edge, Minus the Man, Future Memories) 2021 9. Drama (Into the Lens, Machine Messiah) 1980 8. Tormato (Circus of Heaven, Future Times/Rejoice, Madrigal, Don't Kill the Whale, On the Silent Wings of Freedom 1978 7. Mirror to the Sky (title track, Luminosity, Time Circles, Unknown Place) 2023 6. Going for the One (Awaken, Turn of the Century, Wondrous Stories) 1977 5. Fragile (Roundabout, We Have Heaven/South Side of the Sky, Five Percent of Nothing, Heart of the Sunrise 1971 4. Keystudio (Mind Drive, Be the One, Footprints, That That Is, Children of Light) 1996/1997/2011 3. Close to the Edge (title track) 1972 2. Relayer (Sound Chaser, To Be over) 1974 1. Tales from Topographic Oceans (the whole album) 1973

[@ProgAxia]

Great top 22.. I didn't include Keystudio coz it's not an official studio album, but it's wonderful.. 😎

[@SunFellow941]

@@ProgAxia "It's not an official album" renders the most important REVIVAL of their classic lineup 's style null and void. I won't do that to Yes' legacy. Keystudio is not a greatest hits compilation (which I don't include), it's the record that compiles their studio work from that brief period of the San Luis Obispo concerts. I disagreed with the idea of putting them as bonus tracks on live albums, and I believe they should have toured to support them. They ended up playing very little from them in concert. "Be the One" and "That That Is" have never been played. Long live Keystudio! P.S. I always include Pictures at an Exhibition in my list of favorite ELP albums, and it's at #1! Sure, it's a live album, but it's ALL new material, and in my opinion, the monophonic synthesizer work is as innovative as anything Hendrix had done on guitar four years earlier.

[@ProgAxia]

@@SunFellow941 I don't disagree with you, I just chose to rank the official 21 studio albums, as I said I love Keystudio 😎

[@tdog9818]

90125 is a top 5 album with Fragile, The Yes Album, CTTE and GFTO. Jon Davidson albums are so dull they don’t make my list.

[@tomdrnach8319]

He had Union way too high

[@emartc1]

1. Close to the Edge; 1.1 Relayer; 3. Fragile; 4. The Yes Album; 5. Tales; 6. Going for the one; 7. Yes and Time (the first two). The rest shoudn’t even been considered as Yes music. Steve should stop this.

[@ProgAxia]

Nice top 7/8 thanks for the comment 😎

[@erikleenhouts834]

Good list. I don't like Relayer (sorry) 😊

[@ProgAxia]

No need to apologise ha ha.. It all depends if an album grabs you.

[@georgeford3687]

Omg Union better than the Ladder? Credibility issue there.

[@ProgAxia]

sorry, but I loose the will to live listening to The Ladder. It's so far from any sense of dynamics, melody, or ideas, that I can barely get past the first three or four tracks. That, and bits of Lion King the musical thrown in just doesn't bake my cookies. Silent Talking is OK but as a Yes album I personally think it's poor.

[@Schimechlyn]

F***k Relayer, it shouldn't even be in the top 5. 6-8 tops. Gates of Delirium was great, but side 2 meandered. Same for GFTO, no higher than 5, Drama ought to be up in the top 10, as well as Talk, 90125 and BG. This guy is definitely a Wakeman freak, and definitely has no love for trevor Rabin.

[@bobsbigboy_]

Zzz

[@volpeverde6441]

sound chaser.........'meanders'.... it's one of the heaviest proggy/jazzy masterpieces yes ever did....

[@ProgAxia]

@@volpeverde6441 100% agree 😎

[@panurge987]

Ugh, Union should be much lower.

[@ProgAxia]

Yeah, moved that album around a lot ha ha

[@stuartryan610]

Going for the one is no1.