Yes - Machine Messiah - (Reaction)

[@totallyradreactions5006]

Folks, I'm just learning from you that this is not the original line up on this album. I feel embarrassed that I did not research this before choosing this as my first album to start the journey. Please let me know if it would be better to start from an earlier one so I can get a better feel into this one.

[@GlobalWarring]

Nothing wrong with where you've started. 'Owner' is their most well known 80's track, 'Roundabout' their most well known 70's track. There are others from both decades and up to the present day with their new studio album released next month. So 53 years of amazing, original music to explore. I would go back to the start and work my way through and go with 'Yours is No Disgrace' next. Enjoy ☺️ With Yes, always go with the studio audio versions first. The 2003 or 2008 remasters are ideal.

[@ChrisEchoes]

This is actually a great place to start IMHO and it could be very interesting for viewers if you simply work your back now in time, at least until you hit the album Fragile.

[@NewBritainStation]

Yeah, the original lineup released two albums and, while quite good, are not the “classic” Yes. The first “classic” album (The Yes Album) was the only one with the second lineup. Albums 4 (Fragile) and 5 (Close to the Edge) are often considered THE lineup. 6 (Tales from Topographic Oceans), 8 (Going for the One) and 9 (Tormato) were the same lineup, 7 (Relayer) was a one time lineup. The “classic” albums, regardless of lineups, were 3-10 (Drama), probably minus Tormato. Some might not include Drama because of the lack of Jon Anderson on vocals. And we didn’t even get to Owner of a Lonely Heart… Did you get all that? The point is, jump in wherever with Yes. There’s just lots of great stuff.

[@nickavenoso7851]

@@NewBritainStation Those are my favorite albums. From The Yes Album to Drama. I actually kind of like Tormato, unlike most people. I think those are the “classic Yes” albums.

[@randyhammill9021]

I agree, I really enjoy Tormato, but it suffers a bit from thin production and they didn’t quite get there on the arrangements on a few tracks. The songs they performed live sounded much better. But it didn’t quite come together like their prior albums, and it’s one that’s either forgotten or not liked as much by many.

[@matthiasnolte3817]

This is my favorit album from YES! nnd "Tempus fugit" my favorit song. You should listen to that one!

[@micknordstrom2591]

This is actually a prophetic song!

[@rayanthony7463]

"Tempus Fugit" from the same album is fast, hard, and short and also a great song. Having the Buggles fill in on vocals and keyboards for this album is such a surprise musicly that you can't almost tell the difference.

[@totallyradreactions5006]

that blows my mind about the buggles

[@michaelboyce9373]

Even Shorter "White Car",the track after this one!

[@midnightfury9001]

Nice to see someone reacting to this song from the Drama album yes this song is a full meal deal😋

[@adrianionobrocea1963]

Grandiouse and beautiful . Progressive blended with splashes of new wave

[@ChrisEchoes]

Imagine being a Yes fan for most of the 70s and then around 1980 you hear that original vocalist Jon Anderson and seminal keybord player Rick Wakeman have both left the band and their spots being filled by respectively Trevor Horn and Geoff Downes. And then you read these two were formerly known as a duo called The Buggles who had a smash pop hit called Video Killed The Radiostars (coincidentally the first song ever played on MTV) ... you can imagine the fear of what has happened to their beloved band Yes, and you wait with baited breath for the album to be released. You go the record store and immediately are struck by the album cover which sees a return to artwork made by Roger Dean. Then you get home put the record on and the first thing you hear is Machine Messiah.

[@totallyradreactions5006]

First off, thats a crazy as hell story (respectfully) LOL. I had no idea that was the Buggles. So now you have me very curious as to what kind of sound they had in the 70's I hope you were as pleased as I was when I heard this song. I may have to jump back to some earlier recordings so I can get a better feel of the change on this one. thank you for the comment

[@Biofilmz]

This is an under appreciated album. Don't worry to much about the meaning of the lyrics with Yes - it is more of a word painting to give impressions. Chris Squire was one of the greatest bassists. Steve Howe was the guitarist - also an amazing all around player. Thanks for reviewing Yes!

[@totallyradreactions5006]

yeah this is gonna be fun adventure

[@brian1nola]

'Satanic Mills' refers to 'Dark Satanic Mills' from the early 1800's referring to the pollution and human misery with the advent of the Industrial Revolution at the time in places like Manchester and London. As far as the song goes, it's interesting. The consideration of a Matrix like AI (the singular eye), even in 1980 seems to be the root of the idea of the song. It is singing from the point of view of someone welcoming it and subsumed in it, but I think we are meant to view it mostly as a cautionary tale.

[@totallyradreactions5006]

thank you for that information

[@tonyetchells6051]

Their undisputed masterpiece is Close To The Edge, strap yourself in and enjoy the adventure.

[@totallyradreactions5006]

Cant wait to dive in, thank you

[@lesblatnyak5947]

Best way to hear Yes is just to listen cause they will expose your soul. After fifty yrs of listening to Yes just go with the flow and you understand.

[@totallyradreactions5006]

HAHA! sounds good to me Les

[@robertwells3867]

You can't go wrong with yes Starship trooper heart of the sunrise close to the edge yours is no disgrace ...all great places to start from

[@totallyradreactions5006]

thank you for the suggestions this should be a fun journey

[@lesblatnyak5947]

Yes have two types of songs, regular 5 to 8 min songs and then they have symphonic masterpieces that will put you next to God and reaffirm your faith. Enjoy your ride!

[@flomalheur7467]

I don't think it's about a time machine, but rather something like ... do you know the novel "1984"? There is an all-monitoring computer called "Big Brother". Or in the movie "2001 a space odyssey" it's Hal. More like that.

[@totallyradreactions5006]

aahh thank you for the explanation

[@geraldnewton9675]

Hi. A very cool new background! You can use one of my paintings if you want. Yes for some are a difficult band to get into, to absorb. Lyrically always have been very bizarre and at times very profound. I think this song is about our reliance on technology. It mentions the Satanic mills of the Industrial revolution etcetera. Similar in some ways to Genesis but like Genesis and other great progressive rock bands they have such a unique sound. They have one of the greatest base players in my opinion. Chris Squire and lead guitarist Steve Howe who is astonishingly creative and brilliant. This album does not include there usual lead singer Jon Anderson who has such a fantastic and inspiring voice but the stand in singer does a great job. It is an amazing rabbit hole to venture down and you will be amazed if you listen to Awaken, The Gates of Delirium, Close to the Edge etcetera... I am serious about the painting. CHEERS Gerald Newton

[@totallyradreactions5006]

I was just telling another commenter that I may need to check out some of their earlier material so i can get a better feel into this album, with the vocal change. I had no idea. thank you for offering your artwork to the channel. I tell you what shoot me an email and lets discuss thank you for your continued support

[@totallyradreactions5006]

Oh and BTW I agree on the bassist comment, this guy is amazing.

[@michaelboyce9373]

Sounds like a Heavy Metal Intro! This album was issued during the Punk Era.

[@adrianionobrocea1963]

Post punk already by 1980

[@geraldnewton9675]

Hi again. That's okay. Up to you where you start your Yes journey. If you do go back to their beginnings maybe start with either the Yes Album or Fragile which has Roundabout on it. They did release two albums before The Yes Album entitled Yes and then Time and a word but they really got going with the Yes Album. I think with their first two albums they were just trying to find themselves. Often the case with a bands first couple of album releases. CHEERS Gerald Newton

[@JJ8KK]

I'm gonna recommend *Yours Is No Disgrace* for you off of their 3rd album, if you wanna take the journey through YES. The bass player, Chris Squire, seriously dominated YES' sound in the early years. I was a big part of their special appeal, as far as I was concerned. It still stood out impressively by the Drama album, which this song comes from. As far as YES' lyrics are concerned, you can forget about making complete sense of them. Jon Anderson wrote the band's lyrics prior to this album you're listening to now and his lyrics are even more difficult to grasp than this one. He used words in a way that challenges you to try to figure out what he was really saying. Intentionally cryptic. Often, you can only get a general sense of what he was hinting at, but it's usually pretty meaningful. Enjoy your journey, friend!

[@totallyradreactions5006]

thanks for the recommendation. i will have a look into that one for you at some point. thanks again

[@nickavenoso7851]

Yeah. The funny thing is that Jon has even said that he sometimes didn’t even understand his own lyrics.

[@patricknicolucci5073]

Chris Squire was a Rock Icon! RIP GOAT!!! bass players Song is about mans creation of the machine messiah technology and MONEY the all seeing singular eye ! " Show me the strength of your singular eye" Awesome song great dynamics YES is known for. Free Mason ideology maybe ?

[@totallyradreactions5006]

thats a good possibility

[@brian1nola]

Into the Lens is a great song from this album as well as Tempis Fugit

[@bazeye]

Roundabout not Roustabout. Everything they did in the 80's pales into insignificance compared to their 70's output.

[@lesblatnyak5947]

In the 70s the business did not dictate the genious of Yes thus the brilliant albums

[@totallyradreactions5006]

yeah I noticed I said that after I put the video up. Guess I had Elvis on the brain

[@adrianionobrocea1963]

Except this album

[@bazeye]

@@adrianionobrocea1963 Granted, If I had to choose their best album outside of the seventies it would be Drama, and I wish Tormato had been as well produced.

[@jtighe7090]

Drama may not have the "classic" Yes lineup, but it is a great album. Another great track off Drama is Tempus Fugit.

[@totallyradreactions5006]

its been pretty good so far. definitely different than what i was expecting i plan to get back to this album very soon sorry for the long pause of videos, had some things to work out

[@lesblatnyak5947]

Ladies and gentlemen Chris Squire and Yes the greatest show on earth. Having seen Chris Squire and Yes 36 times I would suggest you start with their first album. Or you can just start with Close to the Edge the greatest album ever.