Head to Head Wednesday: Magnification

[yarstruly]

Which of the 2 Magnification songs that they have been playing live do you like better....?

Magnification

Vs.

In The Presence Of

[Dantalion Rides Again]

I surprised myself and went with "Magnification." It was close though. I'm surprised that the chorus doesn't strike me as too silly to overlook. It doesn't though; I love that song.

ITPO seems the obvious one to love in a way - it's got little sub-songs and all that, and it's long and it's good. But I think I enjoy "Magnification" just a smidge more for some reason.

Seems like sometimes those big epics are supposed to be the great song on the record, but often times they're not . . . "Endless Dream," "New Language," "Hearts," "On the Silent Wings of Freedom" . . . all examples of BIG EPICS that don't strike me as the best from each of their respective albums.

But this isn't true on Magnification. "In The Presence Of" is great. I don't find ITPO to be a weaker track on this album; I just said that about epics to be a dingbell. A real dumbat. :rolleyes:

Actually "Dreamtime" is longer, and I like it just as much. One great thing about Magnification is that all the tracks are great IMO. The epic pieces are worthy of their length.

What the heck is going on here . . . . what ever made me think that a simple song preference poll called for an essay???

[yarstruly]

lol....

[R'tanys]

I went with Mag also. It's one of my two favorites from this album.
The other is "Can You Imagine".

[tardistraveler]

Well, I went with ITPO. Although I agree that all the songs on the album are wonderful - it's one of my favorites! But the lyrics of ITPO just speak to me very powerfully.

[yarstruly]

Guess I should make up my mind & vote....

[Dale Cleary]

I don't know. The concert is tomorrow. Why are you trying to confuse me ?

[Thoughtbecontact]

ITPO is one of my all-time favorite Yes songs, but the unfortnate thing is, they don't do it very well in concert. Yet, that was the first time I ever heard the piece, and its composition and message came shining through. Magnification has been very strong, for the most part live--I think because it's more of a rocker. But ITPO has my vote.

[Bluetailfly]

There both great pieces. I get hooked on Magnification. It has a bouncy rhythm that I just picture myself as the orchestra conductor bouncing up and down as I wave my arms.

In The Presence Of is really cool too though. The mini epic concept works here and the many lyrical thought connect the different parts real well and the last part where we are Standing On Sacred Ground with the guitar just swooping all around us is powerful and exhilarating stuff.

I listen to the whole album almost every day cuz I like it all so much, so much...

[yarstruly]

Originally posted by Dale Cleary
I don't know. The concert is tomorrow. Why are you trying to confuse me ?


I wasn't trying to confuse you...and I hope this wasn't a spoiler for you. Why don't you wait until after the show and vote :).

BTW I hope you have the time of your life!
THE 30 YEAR YES DROUGHT IN OZ IS OVER!

[BredYes]

In the Presence of is my favorite Yessong from the last 25 years. I love it at concert as well. It's a true classic, very emotional.

[yarstruly]

Great Replies!

[tardistraveler]

So yarstruly, what's YOUR favorite?

[yarstruly]

Oh....sorry....

I went with ITPO....

[TNyesfan]

So hard to say... ITPO was my first fav on this one. This entire CD is right up there with GFTO for me. Love the originality.
I went with Magnification here though.
The time changes in the song get me every time!

[yessongs72]

Ok, I couldn't vote on these two songs with a clear concience,but I can sat Don't Go i my least favorite;IMHO it doesn;t fit the album.

[tardistraveler]

Don't Go does seem to be in a different vein than other songs on the album. I still like it for what it is - some of the lyrics hit me the right way.

[yarstruly]

People must still be voting on this , because it keeps coming up on todays posts....

Maybe it is time for me to bring the Head to Head's back......

[altaeria]

The song MAGNIFICATION kinda "rocks" more and it caught my interest sooner than IN THE PRESCENCE OF did. It wasn't until I saw ITPO performed live that I began to appreciate it for what it is.

I have to admit, though, that I prefer when YES keeps a Rock edge in their material to some extent.
(Didn't Billy Sherwood say something to that effect also?)