What's With All the Negativity?

[Glass House]

As those of you who've read my Yes related posts (all one of you) know, I've been filling in the gaps in my Yes collection. I got Tormato a couple of days ago and due to a conflict (loosing it in the giant blob of CDs that is my collection) I didn't get a chance to listen to it until today.Honestly...it's awesome! I don't really understand all the hatred. It's not exactly Relayer, but it's very good. It's almost as good as the next album, Drama. Madrigal, Release Release, Don't Kill the Whale (especially Don't Kill the Whale), and The Silent Wings of Freedom can give the classic stuff a run for its money.

But hey, what do I know?:rightG:

[yes_angel]

As those of you who've read my Yes related posts (all one of you) know, I've been filling in the gaps in my Yes collection. I got Tormato a couple of days ago and due to a conflict (loosing it in the giant blob of CDs that is my collection) I didn't get a chance to listen to it until today.Honestly...it's awesome! I don't really understand all the hatred. It's not exactly Relayer, but it's very good. It's almost as good as the next album, Drama. Madrigal, Release Release, Don't Kill the Whale (especially Don't Kill the Whale), and The Silent Wings of Freedom can give the classic stuff a run for its money.

But hey, what do I know?:rightG:
keep on Rockin to whatever floats your boat! No negativity here : )

[yesyadda]

I wuv it!

[True Believer]

Yep, there's some great stuff on Tormato.

[Melissa]

I really like Tormato - I like it more the more I listen to it. I had a lot of trepiation about it - I'd heard negative stuff about it - but, turns out, no need to fear.

[relayeire]

ALL Yes albums have some great tracks... some more than others... just don't get Open Your Eyes... LOL

[GoD57]

As those of you who've read my Yes related posts (all one of you) know, I've been filling in the gaps in my Yes collection. I got Tormato a couple of days ago and due to a conflict (loosing it in the giant blob of CDs that is my collection) I didn't get a chance to listen to it until today.Honestly...it's awesome! I don't really understand all the hatred. It's not exactly Relayer, but it's very good.

But hey, what do I know?:rightG:
[/COLOR][/COLOR]



It's not exactly Relayer might be the understatement of the year! I do love Tormato, though. It gets played at my house or car as much as any other Yes cd I have. I really enjoy the weeds from that tour as well.



Bill

[Altres]

I have high regard for Tormato. It has some amazing music and energy on it. It is a bit like Yes-lite compared to what went before, but it still achieves on many levels.

Brian

[Purple Wolfhound]

I didn't care for it for a long time mostly because of the production quality, but I've come to appreciate it a lot more in recent years and now for me it's up there with Yes' classic works. Future Times/Rejoice and Arriving UFO - one of the most reviled songs on the album - are my favourites.

[Ian Burdon]

Thanks for starting this thread. Tormato has sat unplayed and forgotten in my living room for a long time; I've just played it through for the first time in ages and liked it so much that I've just put it on again!

Ian

[umgekehrt]

Tormato is better than GFTO. It has one of my favourite Yes songs Release Release, and OTSWOF is also very cool.

[BlankReg]

Tormato has always had a special place in my heart. I bought it when I was in high school in 1982. I remember finding it in the cut-out bin and, before I knew what cut-outs were or the history of the record, I couldn't understand why it was priced at $1.99. Regardless, I bought it and it quickly became one of my favorite Yes albums. It remains a top five - "Onward" saw me through many dark days and nights of a very difficult time of my life. I love the entire album, "Circus of Heaven" included!

[cinderella]

My 2 favorites.
Future Times and Release Release.

Hate the cover.

[Silent_wings]

I like it lot
Hey it's got OTSWOF
It's always been one of my favorite alubms

But Cindy's right the cover blows

[CybrKhatru]

No negativity for Tormato's music here! Great album!!

[nitrus]

Very much energy was stuffed into Tormato with not-so-great songwriting. But hey, who said it was bad? It's a truly eccentric album and that's why I love it.

Not every Yes album has to be The Ultimate Album.

[Glass House]

My 2 favorites.
Future Times and Release Release.

Hate the cover.

The front is pretty lousy. I don't really understand it. Was it supposed to predict the critics reaction?


I like the back though. The picture of all the Yesguys trying to look cool is kind of funny. Just look at how out of place Steve looks
http://www.ferhiga.com/progre/portadas/yes-tormato2.jpg

[Sheerah]

I really like Tormato.
However, I could so do without the song Don't Kill The Whale.

[CybrKhatru]

The front is pretty lousy. I don't really understand it. Was it supposed to predict the critics reaction?


I like the back though. The picture of all the Yesguys trying to look cool is kind of funny. Just look at how out of place Steve looks
http://www.ferhiga.com/progre/portadas/yes-tormato2.jpg

GH--is that the back cover of your CD? Had to ask...that's the back cover of the original Japanese CD..and I'd not seen another one (other than my copy)...:D

[Glass House]

GH--is that the back cover of your CD? Had to ask...that's the back cover of the original Japanese CD..and I'd not seen another one (other than my copy)...:D

I don't think I have the Japanese version. The spine says it's the 2004 Electrika/Rhino remaster. I bought mine used so it's possible I got an odd version, but I'm pretty sure its the standard Rhino remaster.

Did I find something special here?

[relayeire]

Tormato has always had a special place in my heart. I bought it when I was in high school in 1982. I remember finding it in the cut-out bin and, before I knew what cut-outs were or the history of the record, I couldn't understand why it was priced at $1.99. Regardless, I bought it and it quickly became one of my favorite Yes albums. It remains a top five - "Onward" saw me through many dark days and nights of a very difficult time of my life. I love the entire album, "Circus of Heaven" included!

interesting... I too bought Tormato in the summer of '82 from a cutout bin... I had just bought Fragile and wanted to buy another (affordable) Yes album... it was quite a bit different from Fragile, but I grew to love it... that summer is the official "anniversary date" of me becoming a Yesfan... after that, TYA, Yesshows, Yessongs and many other LPs followed... I never looked back...

[relayeire]

PS: Sheila's right - those whales are asking for it... LOL ;-)

[relayeire]

PPS: I don’t hate the Tormato cover, though it’s one of the band’s weakest, and one of Hipgnosis’ (the design company) weakest as well… they did some great work for Floyd, Zeppelin, Wings, 10cc, etc.
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thank God Mr Dean returned with Drama! (another reason to love that album, too)

[CybrKhatru]

I don't think I have the Japanese version. The spine says it's the 2004 Electrika/Rhino remaster. I bought mine used so it's possible I got an odd version.

OK...I get it....the scan you posted was from the Japanese disc issued in the 80s. For a long time the only way to get Tormato on CD was from Japan, until about 1991.

The Rhino edition has cool bonus tracks!

[cjreyes]

Tormato freakin' Rocks!!

[allen toth]

I have always liked Tormato. I just don't think it's as good as the Album before it, or the one after it.

[relayeire]

OK...I get it....the scan you posted was from the Japanese disc issued in the 80s. For a long time the only way to get Tormato on CD was from Japan, until about 1991.

The Rhino edition has cool bonus tracks!

that was also the case with Yesshows... I have both from '90 or so from Japan....

[soulsearcher]

I really like Tormato.
However, I could so do without the song Don't Kill The Whale.

dig it she,
don't diss don't kill the whale! LOL!

[Glass House]

OK...I get it....the scan you posted was from the Japanese disc issued in the 80s. For a long time the only way to get Tormato on CD was from Japan, until about 1991.

The Rhino edition has cool bonus tracks!

I figured everything out. I'm lazy and I wasn't about to walk to the scanner so the picture I posted was googled. It's not my copy that you're seeing. I have the normal Rhino remaster with all the bonus tracks

...I think

[Glass House]

I really like Tormato.
However, I could so do without the song Don't Kill The Whale.


I love Don't Will the Whale! It's probably my favorite song on there. I could live without the Circus of Becoming song though.

Oh wait Circus of Becoming is a Steve Hackett song. What's the Yes circus song called? I don't have Tormato near me.

[Orbert]

The late 70's were tough times, and Yes seemed to be going through some changes. When Going for the One came out and had the first non-Dean cover in recent memory, it was a shock, but the music made people forget about that very quickly. Rick was back, "Awaken" blew many minds, all was well with the world.

When Tormato came out, it was a letdown to many. The goofy cover made a bad first impression, the production was noticeably poorer, and while the playing itself is terrific, a lot of people saw the songs themselves as weaker. With the highest number of tracks since FragileYes, it seemed that Yes had shied even further from the epics. It just seemed to many that Yes was losing the plot. Tormato has a negative reputation that may be unjust, but it is understandable.

That's my take on it, anyway. Personally, I'm okay with Tormato; it has a lot of songs I really like, and a number of Yes albums have come out since which I would consider weaker. But in the context of the times, and its place in the Yes catalog, I can understand the reputation it has acquired.

[Judge Judy]

In my humble opinion, Tormato completely stinks up the joint.

The cover is the least of its problems.

[relayeire]

here’s the thing… Tormato is certainly an odd tomato, but not a rotten one… all the songs have at least something to offer… FT/R and OTSWOF are true Yes classics as far as I’m concerned… the “odd” part is that while each individual song may be enjoyable, the whole comes across as flawed… I don’t know how to explain that any better, but the pieces are better than the whole… there’s something unsatisfying about the overall package (cover included), but it’s not strong enough to sink the album for me…<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>

[Glass House]

Still love Tormato, but I think I've found something I hate about it. Wakeman's keyboards sound so....80s. They've got that cheesy high pitched tone. He could have done so much better, he's WAKEMAN for crying out loud

[MrZuLu]

Thanks for starting this thread. Tormato has sat unplayed and forgotten in my living room for a long time; I've just played it through for the first time in ages and liked it so much that I've just put it on again!

Ian
it'll do that to ya...

[MrZuLu]

it's the only tour I saw twice if that means anything

[Mc-Merc]

I love Tormato! Future Times is incredibly underrated and absurdly forgotten by YES themselves! What an incredible metal performance by Steve Howe! His guitar is the other lead singer in YES!

[YesJen357]

I just played Tormato through last night...
It was still as good as ever.
The only reason I don't listen to it more often, is that most of the time when I'm in Tormato mode, I reach for a couple of the really good weeds of the Tormato tour instead.
Quebec, Wembley and Chicago never fail to lift my spirits to the heavens.

[Mc-Merc]

Well, I'm listening to it now!!!!!

...most of the time when I'm in Tormato mode, I reach for a couple of the really good weeds of the Tormato tour instead.
Jen, you're absolutely right! Tormato shows are fantastic, but listening to the official CD just now, it's so clear and perfect!!!!

Tormato me gusta mucho!!!!

[SadPreacher]

i really cannot put a finger on what exactly bothers me about Tormato...but it is one of the least played Yes releases that i have...in fact...i cannot remember when i last gave it a spin....

[Andrea YouAndI]

It's about time I step in here, as Tormato was one of my first and favorite Yes albums. I have the Rhino version with all the bonus tracks, and I really wish that most of those could have gone on their own officially-released album. As for the cover, I think it's pretty funny, and typical Hipgnosis! If nothing else, at least it's better than the cover for GFTO! :sick:

As for Tormato itself, IMO it's a very fun record; it seems the band enjoyed NOT taking themselves seriously! Release Release is my favorite track, followed by Future Times-Rejoice. Love the lyrics in those two songs and Onward. The latter song, I even wrote a third verse to:

And on the darkest night I see
That the sun still shines for me
If ever I cry out in fear
You appear
To hold me near
Onward through the night
Onward through the night
Onward through the night of my life

I sure hope Chris would approve. :hearts:

[Glass House]

As for Tormato itself, IMO it's a very fun record; it seems the band enjoyed NOT taking themselves seriously!

Yep, they know they're not making Close to the Edge Part 2 and they aren't trying to.


Love the lyrics in those two songs and Onward. The latter song, I even wrote a third verse to:

And on the darkest night I see
That the sun still shines for me
If ever I cry out in fear
You appear
To hold me near
Onward through the night
Onward through the night
Onward through the night of my life

I sure hope Chris would approve. :hearts:

I'm sure you'd make Chris proud!

[somissound]

Future Times, DKTW, Madrigal and Onward are some of my all time fav's...

Onward might be one of the most beautiful songs ever written...

I really enjoy the bonus tracks on the remaster! Surprised they didnt finish some of those tunes! Countryside sounds like they were having a fun jam...:band:

[islandsofarabia]

How could you top Going for the One?
Yes was at such a high level as a band.
Disco and New Wave was putting pressure on them.
As people, they weren't quite getting along as well...they had been a band for a long time, or so they said back then.
The inner sleeve was just as interesting as the jacket.
They shook things up by using Chris Squire's mobile studio.

I still love the album.

p.s. i still remember seeing them step out of the white circular silk-like tent like angels in the middle of the round stage, during the firebird suite being played at blisteringly loud levels, under the huge star fish lighting assembly and the fog machines. a lucky kid i was.

[B-TRUE]

I really like Tormato.
However, I could so do without the song Don't Kill The Whale.

Give it another try1
I really like Don't Kill The Whale

[Scooty]

I am sure I have siad this before..but I have always had a soft spot for Tormato.

I will never forget that it was the only album I could not get on cassette back in the day...I found a cut out bin version on LP but it did me very little good cause I didn't have a record player at the time...a relative in England sent me their copy on tape and I played it until the spool snapped...

I remember me Mum telling me that it "wasn't music" and my Dad saying.."that guys voice gives me a headache"...
But there was (is) something about Tormato that makes me very warm and fuzzy inside...

Not forgetting that it has "On The Silent Wings Of Freedom " and "Future Times/Rejoice" on it ;)

And My She..I like "Don't Kill The Whale" too...;)

[hailhail]

This is the album that stopped me listening to YES

All those many years ago

I listened to it again and thought
"with the exception of "Circus of Heaven" this is a cracker"

What a twonk I was in those years

Now I love the album(except u no wat) and most of the others that I missed the thrill of listening to on their date of release

With the wonders of new technology I now have a version in my car and on my mp3 player that are perfect
(guess what track is missing)

I suggest you listen to all the albums and block out all them negative waves ,even Open your eyes,and enjoy the magic that is YES in all their majesty.

[Orbert]

Dig it!
Dig it!

[clearsight]

What negativity??

Oh!! you're talking about Tormato........... I see!

I had that on vinyl once, good record, they might have run out of steam at this point but it had great moments

Jiminey Crickets fella's, you had me worried here

[luckeydoug1]

Tormato may not be my favorite YES album, but I do like quite a few of the songs. Still, I do prefer it to either GFTO or Relayer.

[wolfhound]

I've always loved Tormato. I love the energy. And Jon and the guys were in a good place.

Future times will stand and clearly smile
Of the course of innocence

Rejoice forward out this feeling
Ten true summers long...
Until it comes to carry you home

Most of all play with the game of the age
Highest of places remain all as one with you
(Madrigal is amazing)

Power at first to the needs of each other's days
Simple to lose in the void of anarchy's calling ways
All unaccounted for in the craziness of power
In the craziness
Release all, release all, or abandon your hope for your brother (and your sister)
Release, release

You say there's no reason to conjure
With the force as it has been known to be seen
You say I'm a fool a believer
Put your feet on the earth it is green

Then there above their heads just as vivid as life
Each vision transported in multitudes inventing light
Grecian galleons, The Sack of Troy, to the Gardens of Babylon
A play of millions roared along

Displayed in all the things I see
There's a love you show to me
Portrayed in all the things you say
You're the day

On the back of your forty-second screamdown
Do you choose to be lost midst the challenge of being one
On the flight of regardless feelings
As you hurtle to fear midst the challenge of everyone


Sorry for the disjointed quotes, but this work is a gold mine.

[marklovesyes]

I first heard "Tormato" in early 1984 and thought, "Wow, these guys were really reaching on this." It did not make sense to me. Within a year I could not get enough of it. I have loved it ever since. 'Arriving UFO' is just packed with energy! All the songs have such great charm. Rick's cheesy keyboard sounds are completely endearing on this album. Love it.