Your rating of YES

[YesForSure.]

I'll give it an 8, one of my favourites. I'd rate it higher than Fragile.

[InverYes]

Eight seems OK to me. Hard to do a straightforward comparison with the later stuff though.

[Yes2Yes]

I liked it, so I gave it an 8 also.

[Stever]

Eh

[cinderella]

I can't vote, believe it or not, I've never heard this album.

[wolfhound]

I give it a strong 8.

I love "Looking Around", "Harold Land", "Every Little Thing", and "Sweetness".

"Survival" is my favorite.

[CybrKhatru]

I gave 'er a 7.

Great debut album---LOVE the opening track (Beyond and Before). Wouldn't it be sumpin if they'd do this one in concert??

--Matt

[moorglademovers]

Quite shocked Cinders....hmmmm, an eight too!

[InverYes]

I can't vote, believe it or not, I've never heard this album.

http://www.tsn.ca/images/stories/20030602/McEnroe_64861.jpg

[relayerjim]

I gave it a 8..I still listen to it every now and then...

[GoD57]

Not to be boring...I gave it an 8 also. I really like this first effort, much more than their second try. I also listen from time to time, it's a great change of pace.

I think it belongs in everyones collection...Cindy.


Bill

[Faceintheplace]

I really really like this album. Esepcially Harold Land which is the roots of Close to the Edge IMO. Note the symertrical intro and outro arrangement being used. The bonus tracks are great on the Rhino remaster, does anyone know when the early versions of Everydays, Dear Father and Something's Coming at the end of the cd (the second, earlier versions), they don't give the recording dates in the liner notes.

[muff]

Something's Coming was the B-side to Sweetness thier firsts single in the UK,

it was always thier finale in the early days, its been one of my favorite tracks now for almost 38 years,

I woud also give the album a 9 as it was the very first album I got into when it was eventually released, I still love it as much today as I did all those years ago, :D

[highaltitude]

YES is Beyond and Before all kind of ratings...that's it!!

[Malcolm Birkett]

I can't vote, believe it or not, I've never heard this album.

You should do hinny. OK no Mr Rabin but...

This was it for us all in the UK - certainly for me - a masterpiece at the time..OK then...it still is!!

Every Little Thing, Looking Around, Beyond and Before, Harold Land, Survival, Sweetness, I See You and Yesterday and Today were the real killers on this album for us....whoops, hell that is every track...nuff said pet!

AND...have you seen that purple hued inner sleeve photograph..as True Believer would say...don't they all look gorgeous!!..especially Jon 'Cochise' Anderson...but in those days he wasn't wearing the Red Indian make-up.

Boy my mind is really returning to those days at the moment. I twas but a poor boy, a very poor boy...doing my A-levels (17/18 year old), no record player in the family abode (but I still bought the bloody album and also bought Time and a Word, and later The Yes Album, Fragile, Close to the Edge and Tales before I owned one...I used to commandeer my friends' record decks until I could afford one - jeez did I convert so many people to our Gods in those days), outside toilet still in my Geordie home (sorry, just kidding on that one!), loving the Beatles (of course), The Who, Spooky Tooth, Family (with Rick Grech on Bass who was later a member of Blind Faith, the first 'supergroup'), Dantalions Chariot (with a certain Zoot Money and Andy Summers - you know him folks....one of the lawmen...Sting et al..), The Kinks, Cream, all the 60s pop stuff..you know, The Hollies for example - a great band who must have what seems like a million 'catchy' hit singles and of course a certain Mr. Graham Nash who joined the Marrakesh Express, Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, God - the Beach Boys...out of this world -just how could they be so good!, any Classical stuff at all....at the time I was playing the violin in the school orchestra with a certain Trevor Horn on Double Bass (yes, I went to the same school as him!), I remember particularly playing a Bizet piece called 'Farandole' which Rick occasionally plays now...it is 'brilliant!', OK then, as Chris would say..'f...ing brilliant', any Tamla and Stax (too many artists to mention any)...R and B - 'River Deep Mountain High' - Tina I love ya, Blues..Robert Johnson, Elmore James, Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker et al, Rock and Roll..the King Pelvis, Little Richard, Carl Perkins, Buddy Holly - died so, so young and so much in such a short time, Jerry Lee (what a bloody wild one he was!) et al..too many to remember, as well as my childhood heroes like Nat King Cole, Deano, Bing (crooners in general...is that why I love Jon so much???), Rosemary Clooney, Ella, Sarah Vaughan, Mario Lanza!, Billy Eckstine, sorry not Frankie ole blue eyes boy....I know,.. sacrilege!! but I just don't get him!!.., all the corny hitsters, Brenda Lee, Connie Francis, Paul Anka, Bobby Vee, Dion, Frankie Avalon, Fabian, Bobby Darin - pickin' up things..like a walk in the park, things..like a kiss in the dark!, and then the UK bunch..Billy Fury, Dickie Valentine, Ronnie Carroll, Ronnie Hilton, Frankie Vaughan, Marty Wilde, Joe Brown, sorry...Cliff!!, oh, and the big band and swing band stuff...bloody amazing...Dorsey Brothers, Benny Goodman, Gene Krupa (Keith Moon eat your heart out, old Gene was a real loony!), the Andrews Sisters - now if ya talkin' harmonies Mr. Brian Wilson look no further than these gals!!, the one, the only Mr. Miller and Pennsylvania 65 thousand etc...can music get any better than this stuff??......oh yes indeedy-do IT CAN!!! because amidst all these faves of mine along came a certain band and a certain album (BACK ON THREAD) which to me was an amazing amalgamation of everything I adored in music with so many original twists....THE voice, THE bass sound....those (and the original compositions and arrangements of non-original compositions) were the two inescapable features of this ground-breaking album. It just blew my bloody tiny mind. What the F..K is this I thought....who the F..K is this I thought....I will never ever forget to my dieing day my reaction to the first tracks I heard from these guys...'Every Little Thing'....maybe, as an absolutely massive Beatles fan that did it for me...because this version had me well and truly gob-smacked...it just stopped me in my tracks....generally no-one in a cover of a Beatles track could do justice to the original...nowhere near...and yet, I heard this and my jaw just dropped..it contained everything...OK, 'every little thing' I loved in music (see the diatribe above!)...every element of every aspect of every facet of every style of music I adored...together!!...in a Beatles track!!...with that voice, those harmonies, that bleeding bass...where the F..K does that guy get that bloody bass sound from???...the arrangement...jeez, that bleeding introduction...for Christ's sake it even had a snippet of 'Daytripper' in it!! - good old Banksy. Whooosh, bloody whooosh...and then I heard 'Looking Around'..well well, well, well well...as good old Eric Idle would say....'Say No More!'.... great Hammond uncle Tony!..and ..harmonies???? whooosh, bloody whooosh again folks.
Those were the first ever tracks I heard...via radio..I just had to go out and buy this album...to see who these guys were....irrespective of not having any apparatus to play the bloody thing on!!..and then there was the image...boy were these guys cool, ever so cool - back to the purple hue!
Who is the bloke wearing the buck-skins I thought....etc..etc..etc
Then, once I managed to persuade my best friend (richer than I was - he had a record player) to let me play the album I just went absolutely ape-s..t!!!
I See You, Survival??? This is pop, rock and roll, jazz, R and B, soul, surf music, croonsville, big band, classical,...all in one track!!!..and with added original extra ingredients. Is this for real I thought. (Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid)..."WHO ARE THOSE GUYS!!"
Well, yes, YES, who are those guys...from then on my life changed...I became a fanatic...1968 to 2006...still am, always was, always will be...so my rating of YES (bubble logo)....life altering....life altering...life altering.

[Malcolm Birkett]

Something's Coming was the B-side to Sweetness thier firsts single in the UK,

it was always thier finale in the early days, its been one of my favorite tracks now for almost 38 years,

I woud also give the album a 9 as it was the very first album I got into when it was eventually released, I still love it as much today as I did all those years ago, :D

Oh and then there was this....I forgot, I loved all the corny 50s/60s musicals as well so when I heard this!!!...well, mind-blowing (yes Smatt even back then)
Mr. Bernstein.... Jon and the boys do him so proud here. Absolutely amazing.
I first heard this on John Peel's and Pete Drummond's Sunday afternoon radio show....and (God rest his soul)...Peely was raving about them in those days. Pity his opinion was so cynical and nasty in his later life.

[YesForSure.]

Glad that some recognition is being paid to this great debut! Sweetness and Every Little Thing are the tracks I don't favour, Something's coming, Beyond and Before, Survival and Looking around are my favourites. I just love Jons early forceful singing on Something's Coming (With a click, With a shock, Bell will jingle, door will knock!) And those lyrics on Beyond and Before! Great, underappreciated album.

[Faceintheplace]

I read in a guitar magazine a few years back an article on under-rated Guitar power albums and the first Yes album and 90125 were both in there. That really put a smile on my face.

[True Believer]

I can't vote, believe it or not, I've never heard this album.
Hey Cindy, do yourself a favour, girl .....

This is a great debut album from a very young band.

[YesForSure.]

I just bought the Rhino remaster of YES to replace my inferior "Somewax" russian peice of garbage copy, also purchased the two disc set of the BBC recordings 1969-1970. I wonder why we don't have a forum for that album? Anyway, hope it arrives soon! Can't wait to get a taste of that early Yes live. the amougies disc is nice and everything, but the quality isn't the best..;)

[Faceintheplace]

We do have one. See "Something's Coming"/ "Beyond and Before." It's confusing because that album was realeased under several different titles and one and two disc incarnations.

[YesForSure.]

Ah yes, I did notice that before, I just thought it would be between YES and TaaW, But tit makes sense now, considering the release date. Thanks.

[cinderella]

Okay so I got and listened to Yes. I do like the songs. I'd give it an 8
I think. I really like Yesterday and Today and Sweetness.

[Bugeyes]

Only scored a five. It's a warm up the fingers piece to me. I'm sure it's because my introduction to YES was Going for the One. They were very fluid by then.

[YesForSure.]

Okay so I got and listened to Yes. I do like the songs. I'd give it an 8
I think. I really like Yesterday and Today and Sweetness.
I knew I was forgetting something! Yesterday and Today is probably my favourite song on the album, now that I think about it more.

[CybrKhatru]

The bonus tracks are great on the Rhino remaster, does anyone know when the early versions of Everydays, Dear Father and Something's Coming at the end of the cd (the second, earlier versions), they don't give the recording dates in the liner notes.

I wondered this too. Not sure, but I think they are BBC recordings unique to the Something's Coming/Beyond and Before set. I know that I used to have that second version of Everdays on an old tape somewhere...

---Matt

[YesForSure.]

I got the "Beyond and Before BBC Sessions '69-'70" And I definetely recommend them to fans of the first two albums. Peter shows that he is a pretty damn good guitar player. Better than Rrevot Nabir, anyway. Came with a nice poster and a cardboard sleeve for the jewel case too, so I'm pretty pleased. Again, the quality isn't supreme.

[Doktor Rokster]

I gave it a seven. Although It's an excellent debut, I think Yes really found their feet on Time & A Word.

[prem895]

I think all the Yes albums suck. Thats why I have the whole catalogue. ha ha

[relayeire]

I wanted to give it an 8.5... in the past I would have given it a 6.8 or so, but it's really grown on me... why not 10.0? it's partly due to the production and partly due to the fact that I actually knew Yes' really progressive stuff first... this is good, but it's no CTTE, TFTO or GFTO...

[YesForSure.]

And the Rhino YES came in the mail today! Back with the original cover, some good liner notes and pictures I haven't seen before. these guys do a pretty good job. Sound quality isn't to shabby either. Mixed way better than my Somewax copy, which I would have smeared in feces then disposed of in some unholy way if I didn't think it may be worth some money in the future.

[plodder]

I gave it an 8

I have it as a double album called "Two Originals Of Yes" with Time And A Word.

[Hill St.]

I gave it a 10.I love this album!!!!!!!!It's in my top 5 Yes albums.

[Yes.2]

I'd rate all their albums a 10! Cuz that's how much I love them.

[Hex]

A 7, for me. As debut albums go, not a barnstormer like "Piper At the Gates of Dawn", nor a damp squib like "From Genesis To Revelation". Shows promise of what was to come.

[khalpin]

Ha ha ha. I saw the thread title "What is your rating of YES?" and I thought of the band, not the album. So I gave it a 10, thinking everyone here would be giving it a 10. Then I saw the results and thought, what the heck???

So I'd like to change my vote. Compared to all other music, I guess I'd give it a 7. Compared to other Yes albums, it's more of a 5. If I never heard any of the songs again, I wouldn't be incredibly upset. But when I hear it, I enjoy it. And then I put it back on the shelf for another year.

[Purple Wolfhound]

One of the finest debut albums of any band.

[yesyadda]

http://www.tsn.ca/images/stories/20030602/McEnroe_64861.jpg
I shudder to think what THIS guy is saying to Cinders!

[GatesOfDelirium]

I'd give it a solid 7, closer to 7.5. It's a far, far better debut than Genesis' one is, in that the album still sounds stunningly fresh and it brims with innovation. Also, it's aged well and every track is first class. I agree, 'Beyond And Before' is a great track, but it's more pop-psych than prog- much like songs like The Nice were doing at the same time such as 'Bonnie K' and 'Happy Freuds'.

[tommc]

I give it a 7. I like it better than TAAW. Beyond & Before and Looking Around are my 2 favorites, they really rock. If this is a 10 though what the heck is CTTE?

[sparky]

I gave it an 8. It´s funny though; it´s the only one of the albums up to Drama that I don´t have on cd - I´ve been staring at it in the record shop for eons thinking about wether I should get it or not (my vinyl player died on me recently and my old vinyl copy of the album is really worn to bits). So, THIS week I decided I should get it and, of course - it´s not there anymore.. why does this always happen.. It seems like it´s always like that when I finally make my mind up (oh well, I could always order it).

[BillGuitar]

Not going there. 5.

This album sounds like an attempt, not a finished product.

Certainly didn't make me want to learn how to play it, like The Yes Album did.

Credit Steve for that. Sorry, Peter.

But many 60's albums were that way, very inconsistent...

The 70's brought more consistent entire albums, IMHO.

Maybe it's because I had to listen to this on 8-track? ka-chunk!

(ducking from the onslaught)

[MrCalling06]

Something's Coming was the B-side to Sweetness thier firsts single in the UK,

it was always thier finale in the early days, its been one of my favorite tracks now for almost 38 years,

I woud also give the album a 9 as it was the very first album I got into when it was eventually released, I still love it as much today as I did all those years ago, :D


Somethings's Coming is one of my favs as well, I didn't know that about it being one of their first singles in the UK though...cool I gave it a 10 because I just love the rawness of it all. Reminds me of when I was just a little boy or something like that...hehe:headset:

[yes_angel]

Ha ha ha. I saw the thread title "What is your rating of YES?" and I thought of the band, not the album. So I gave it a 10, thinking everyone here would be giving it a 10. Then I saw the results and thought, what the heck???

So I'd like to change my vote. Compared to all other music, I guess I'd give it a 7. Compared to other Yes albums, it's more of a 5. If I never heard any of the songs again, I wouldn't be incredibly upset. But when I hear it, I enjoy it. And then I put it back on the shelf for another year.LOL I thought the same thing!!

[Yestivus]

I reluctantly have to give this album a score of 5. I play it from time to time and I do respect the fact that it was innovative at the time that it was released. However, when I listen to it the music sounds dated and unpolished. If this album would have been my first exposure to Yes, I don't think I would have been interested enough to buy subsequent releases. Harold Land and Yesterday and Today are my favorite tracks.

[B-TRUE]

I give it a 9. I like this one

[sirlespaul]

I'll give it an 8, one of my favourites. I'd rate it higher than Fragile.

Better then fragile??? i doubt that!

[sirlespaul]

i rated it a 6

[YesForSure.]

I was like.. baked or something. I was quite sick of Fragile, and still am, to a point. But I know for sure it's a hell of alot better than YES.. heh

[emerson_brady]

I'd give it a high 8. Their cover of "I see you" sure blows the original out of the water. There are plenty of fine tunes to be found here, especially "Beyond & Before", "Yesterday & Today", "Looking Around", "Sweetness" and "Survival". The unpolished production *almost* makes them sound like a garage band...

[Wakey's #1 Fan]

also 8. ...Yesterday and Today is soooo sweet...

[ANTIOCH]

I can't vote, believe it or not, I've never heard this album.

Oh my heavens ! Cindy and anyone else that hasn't heard their debut, get it !! It's still (to this day) fresh sounding and full of enthusiasm and brilliance.
You must remember what was happening back in 1969 musically. YES was (and still is) a wonderful release and showcases the members individual talents within a band format. As you can gather, it's still one of my all time favs !

[the'YES'kid]

It's very simple. Any album that I can listen from start to end without wanting to skip a song and then wanting to hear it again and again I give a 10.

[AmyK]

It's very simple. Any album that I can listen from start to end without wanting to skip a song and then wanting to hear it again and again I give a 10.

I gave it an 8, thats only to balance out things for other later classics. I can place this one in my car's CD player for 3 days and not get tired of it. There's something "organic" and pure about it that always draws me back.

[90125yes]

gave it a 5

for a first album not bad

good songs

[90125yes]

Originally Posted by YesForSure. http://www.yesfans.com/bluefusion/buttons/viewpost.gif (http://www.yesfans.com/showthread.php?p=816844#post816844)
I'll give it an 8, one of my favourites. I'd rate it higher than Fragile.


-------------

crazy crazy comment

[Colors of Jade]

I don't know on this scaleis from least to best, but it's my favorite album so far out of all of them I've heard. The only song I could skip on it so far is I see you. I apsolutely love sweetness and yesterday and today.

[YYY]

I listen to the whole album for the first time in years just yesterday. I guess I had forgotten but I was suddenly reminded just how good it is. In fact in many ways I think it's possibly more 'even' than "A Time and a Word". It seemed to just flow from one great song to the next. I gave it a 9 but I probably agree with most that's it's a high 8

[bjlevine]

I listen to the whole album for the first time in years just yesterday. I guess I had forgotten but I was suddenly reminded just how good it is. In fact in many ways I think it's possibly more 'even' than "A Time and a Word". It seemed to just flow from one great song to the next. I gave it a 9 but I probably agree with most that's it's a high 8

For a first album, this is a great record. My only gripe is that Something's Coming wasn't included. It's a nine.

[yeskat]

This is a very special album to me. Everydays was the first YES song I took notice of. I heard it on FM radio and even recorded it. I loved Jon's voice and the soft jazzy-rock feel. I didn't know who did it until a year or so later AFTER I had become a fan after hearing Fragile! My boyfriend loaned me the album and when I heard that song I couldn't believe it. I fell in love with the album-all of it! I'd rate it at LEAST an 8 or maybe even a 9 for sentimental reasons. :cool2:

[Colors of Jade]

I love this album, so I'll give it a 10. It's the first album I heard from Yes, and I apsolutely love it. I believe it's underated. Sweetness, yesterday and today, harold land, looking around, beyond and before, they are all great songs. The only song I skip is I see you. I haven't really gotten in to that one yet.

[Close to Loch Ness]

I gave it an 8. Great debut album from a young high energy band. Chris's bass is just thunderous on the early albums.