Rate each Yes Studio album on a scale of 1-10

[yarstruly]

OK here is a chance to show what your rating of each Yes studio Album.....I will try to average the scores from time to time (I will include ABWH here). Rate from 1 (terrible) to 10 (all time classic), you can use "in-between" scores if you like, but try to keep it to whole points or ".5" (ex: 6.5....not 6.4378).

Here are the eligible albums (I will have a separate post for live & compilation albums)

Yes
Time & A Word
The Yes Album
Fragile
Close to the Edge
Tales From Topographic Oceans
Relayer
Going For The One
Tormato
Drama
90125
Big Generator
Anderson, Bruford, Wakeman, Howe
Union
Talk
Keys To Ascension (Studio Tracks considered only)
Keys To Ascension 2 ( Same as above)
Open Your Eyes
The Ladder
Magnification

(I will reveal my opinions later)

[yarstruly]

If I left something off, please add it in your post....don't rate any album you are not familiar enough with to rate fairly....

[Tonydess]

Yes = 5
Time and a Word = 5
The Yes Album = 7
Fragile = 9
Close to the Edge = 10
Tales From Topographic Oceans = 10
Relayer = 8.5
Going For The One = 7
Tormato = 8
Drama = 8
90125 = 7.5
Big Generator = 5
ABWH = 8
Union = 8
Talk = 6.5
Keys To Ascension one and two = 9.5
Open Your Eyes = 5
The Ladder = 6
Magnification = 8.5

[Andersonic]

Yes = 7
Time & A Word = 7
The Yes Album
Fragile
Close to the Edge
Tales From Topographic Oceans
Relayer
Going For The One
Tormato
Drama
90125
Big Generator
Anderson, Bruford, Wakeman, Howe
Union
Talk
Keys To Ascension (Studio Tracks considered only)
Keys To Ascension 2 ( Same as above)
Open Your Eyes
The Ladder
Magnification

[Andersonic]

Yes = 7
Time & A Word = 7,5
The Yes Album = 9
Fragile = 9
Close to the Edge = 10
Tales From Topographic Oceans = 9
Relayer = 8
Going For The One = 10
Tormato = 8
Drama = 7,5
90125 = 8
Big Generator = 9
Anderson, Bruford, Wakeman, Howe = 10
Union = 8
Talk = 7
Keys To Ascension (Studio Tracks considered only) = 8,5
Keys To Ascension 2 ( Same as above) = 8
Open Your Eyes = 7,5
The Ladder = 9
Magnification = 9

Average 8,5

[petemargowskins]

YES 5
TIME AND A WORD 7
THE YES ALBUM 10
FRAGILE 9
CLOSE TO THE EDGE 10
TALES FROM TOPOGRAPHIC OCEANS 9.5
RELAYER 10
GOING FOR THE ONE 8.5
TORMATO 7.5
DRAMA (haven't listened to it enough. i can't help it; i balk at yes without jon.)
90125 6
BIG GENERATOR 8
ANDERSON BRUFORD WAKEMAN HOWE 7.5
UNION 7
TALK 8
KEYS TO ASCENSION 6.5
KEYS TO ASCENSION II 7
OPEN YOUR EYES 8
THE LADDER 6
MAGNIFICATION 9

[Ron Drummond]

If you were to consider the relative merits of an album at the time of its release, you would assign one value to it; and if you then consider the relative merits of an album seen from the perspective of Yes's entire history up through the present, you would likely assign a very different value to each disc. Which approach is more fair? It's all a very iffy proposition, no matter how you slice it and dice it.

I feel that the very act of placing works on a comparative scale of value diminishes the value of those works, or more precisely, it diminishes our ability to fully appreciate their value. And yet the allure of ranking things is so strong for us finger- and toe-counting super-monkeys that we have a tough time resisting it; I know I do. Which makes it even more important that we also celebrate the non-scalar, non-hierarchical, non-comparative (i.e., NON-COMPETITIVE) ways of appreciating each and every album (or whatever) on its own merits.

In that spirit, I offer a few thoughts:

The excellence of one album does not diminish the excellence of any other album. Judging excellence as if there was only so much to go around is nonsense. Excellence enriches the entire surrounding field of endeavor; the excellence of Close to the Edge, for example, enriches our appreciation of Tales From Topographic Oceans, or it should anyway. If it doesn't, then the disconnect that's happening, I would wager, is in the ear and heart of the beholder and not a deficiency in what is beheld.

To call Magnification one of Yes's finest albums does not diminish the excellence of any classic Yes album; the excellence of each adds to the field of possibility, enriching it so that our appreciation for each work can deepen and broaden. Because of Magnification, I love Close to the Edge even more than I did before, and that deeper appreciation of CttE has enriched my enjoyment of Magnification. That reciprocity of all things is the heart of my approach, or the approach I try to take.

Things happen together; they don't happen separately.

With those qualifiers in mind, here are my wholly subjective but extremely well-informed ratings. Please bear in mind that a 7 for TaaW is not the same thing as a 7 for TFTO; TaaW changes how you should read the 7 assigned to it more than the other way around, does that make sense? And TFTO changes the 7 assigned to IT in a completely different way from the way TaaW changes that 7. Think about it.

Yes = 7
Time and a Word = 7
The Yes Album = 9
Fragile = 8
Close to the Edge = 10
Tales From Topographic Oceans = 7
Relayer = 9.5
Going For The One = 7
Tormato = 6
Drama = 7
90125 = 7
Big Generator = 5
ABWH = 7
Union = 6
Talk = 7
Keystudio = 8
Open Your Eyes = 7
The Ladder = 9
Magnification = 9

Hmm. Lots of sevens, I see. Songs of seven: only appropriate, I suppose.

[BlueEagle]

Yes 3
Time & A Word 6
The Yes Album 8
Fragile 7
Close to the Edge 9
Tales From Topographic Oceans 6
Relayer 6
Going For The One 9
Tormato 5
Drama 4
90125 1/2
Big Generator -11
Anderson, Bruford, Wakeman, Howe 7
Union 5
Talk 6
Keys To Ascension (Studio Tracks considered only) 4
Keys To Ascension 2 ( Same as above) 7
Open Your Eyes
The Ladder 6
Magnification 8

[WhiteKnight]

My votes:

Yes: 6.5
Time & A Word 7.5
The Yes Album 9
Fragile 9
Close to the Edge 10
Tales From Topographic Oceans 10+
Relayer 9.5
Going For The One 9
Tormato 8
Drama 7
90125 7.5
Big Generator 6.5
Anderson, Bruford, Wakeman, Howe 8.5
Union 7.5
Talk 7
Keys To Ascension (Studio Tracks considered only) 7.5
Keys To Ascension 2 ( Same as above) 7
Open Your Eyes 6
The Ladder 7
Magnification 8.5

I will be very interested in seeing the averages every now & then

WK

[WhiteKnight]

Yes 3
...


Hi BlueEagle, I coundn't resist using the desktop calculator to find out that, according to your post, the average quality of a Yes album is something around 4/10 and 5/10. Are you only visiting "Yesfans" out of curiosity? (Jokking :-)

WK

[Awakened]

Yes = 6
Time and a Word = 7
The Yes Album = 9
Fragile = 8
Close to the Edge = 10
Tales From Topographic Oceans = 9
Relayer = 9
Going For The One = 8
Tormato = 6
Drama = 6
90125 = 8
Big Generator = 6
ABWH = 6
Union = 6
Talk =8
Keys To Ascension one and two = 8
Open Your Eyes = 5
The Ladder = 6
Magnification = 7

[yarstruly]

Yes 7.5
Time & A Word 8
The Yes Album 9.5
Fragile 9.5
Close to the Edge 10
Tales From Topographic Oceans 7.5
Relayer 9.5
Going For The One 10
Tormato 8
Drama 9
90125 9.5
Big Generator 8
Anderson, Bruford, Wakeman, Howe 8.5
Union 7
Talk 9.5
Keys To Ascension (Studio Tracks considered only) 9
Keys To Ascension 2 ( Same as above) 9
Open Your Eyes 8
The Ladder 9
Magnification (embarrassingly, I don't actually have the album as of yet, but based on the Title Track, ITPO, & Don't Go I give it an 8.5, but won't include it in averages)

[stevepenn]

Yes 7.5
Time & A Word 7
The Yes Album 8.75
Fragile 9
Close to the Edge 10
Tales From Topographic Oceans 9.5
Relayer 9.8
Going For The One 9
Tormato 8
Drama 8
90125 8.5
Big Generator 4
Anderson, Bruford, Wakeman, Howe 8.5
Union 3
Talk 7
Keys To Ascension (Studio Tracks considered only) 6.5
Keys To Ascension 2 ( Same as above) 6.5
Open Your Eyes 6.5
The Ladder 8.5
Magnification 9

[BlueEagle]

Hi BlueEagle, I coundn't resist using the desktop calculator to find out that, according to your post, the average quality of a Yes album is something around 4/10 and 5/10. Are you only visiting "Yesfans" out of curiosity? (Jokking :-)

WK
Well, as long as youre only jokking- ;)
I you look at the ratings, you can see its an arc or a bell curve, peaking at Going For The One. Every album has some great compositions, some more than others. As you can see, I'm not a big fan of the Rabin era. But that's just me.

[yarstruly]

AVERAGE SCORES SO FAR: (through the post where I gave my ratings....took me a while to finish tabulating as I had several "real world" distractions...I will avg in the others later, unless someone else volunteers to do it ;) )

Yes 5.875
Time & A Word 6.875
The Yes Album 8.8125
Fragile 8.5625
Close to the Edge 9.875
Tales From Topographic Oceans 8.5
Relayer 8.75
Going For The One 8.5625
Tormato 7.0625
Drama 6.928....(long decimal)
90125~6.0625
Big Generator 5.9375(Edited after correcting Blue Eagle's Vote, see below )
Anderson, Bruford, Wakeman, Howe 7.07
Union 6.8125
Talk 7.375
Keys To Ascension (Studio Tracks considered only)7.625
Keys To Ascension 2 ( Same as above)7.9375
Open Your Eyes 7.714....(long decimal)
The Ladder 7.25
Magnification 8.428.... (long decimal)

[yarstruly]

Well, as long as youre only jokking- ;)
I you look at the ratings, you can see its an arc or a bell curve, peaking at Going For The One. Every album has some great compositions, some more than others. As you can see, I'm not a big fan of the Rabin era. But that's just me.
Didn't you give BG an 11? (Which I only counted as 10 for the average.)

Also I counted 1/2 (0.5) for your vote for 90125, was that your intention?

I will correct the averages as needed.....But anything voted above 10 will be counted as 10....

[yarstruly]

Stevepenn....You have "9.8" for Relayer...should I count it as 9.5 or 10?

[stevepenn]

Stevepenn....You have "9.8" for Relayer...should I count it as 9.5 or 10?

Well, I'm a Gatesaholic, so give 'er a 10. But there's a behind-the-woodshed session waiting for the 11 vote for Big Generator!!!! (LOL). If that's not a joke, it's certainly a first!

Steve ;)

[yarstruly]

:lol:

I'm just trying to be accurate in the scores ;)

But "10" it shall be for your Relayer vote....

[BlueEagle]

Guess i should have written "minus" in front of the 11 instead of the -. Just mark BG as a 0.

[stevepenn]

Guess i should have written "minus" in front of the 11 instead of the -. Just mark BG as a 0.

Hey man, you never know, you know? LOL. Too funny. Yes, now all is indeed right with the world!

[yarstruly]

Corrected! (Even though I LIKE BG, I will be fair & accurate)

BTW, did everyone notice that I have polls for Live & Compilation albums as well?

[Original_Shifty]

Yes - 6
Time & A Word - 3
The Yes Album - 8
Fragile - 8
Close to the Edge - 10
Tales From Topographic Oceans - 7
Relayer - 9
Going For The One - 9
Tormato - 6
Drama - 7
90125 - 8
Big Generator - 4
Anderson, Bruford, Wakeman, Howe - 6
Union - 6
Keys To Ascension (Studio Tracks considered only) - 5
Keys To Ascension 2 ( Same as above) - 7
Open Your Eyes - 2
The Ladder - 8
Magnification - 9

[BrianD]

Yes 6
Time & A Word 6
The Yes Album 9
Fragile 9
Close to the Edge 10
Tales From Topographic Oceans 8
Relayer 8
Going For The One 8
Tormato 8
Drama 7
90125 7
Big Generator 6
Anderson, Bruford, Wakeman, Howe 8
Union 6
Talk 6
Keys To Ascension (Studio Tracks considered only) 5
Keys To Ascension 2 ( Same as above) 7
Open Your Eyes 5
The Ladder 8
Magnification 9

[brismike]

Yes = 5
Time and a Word = 6
The Yes Album = 9
Fragile = 8
Close to the Edge = 10
Tales From Topographic Oceans = 8
Relayer = 9
Going For The One = 6
Tormato = 8
Drama = 8
90125 = 8
Big Generator = 7
ABWH = 8
Union = 6
Talk =8
Keys To Ascension one and two = 8
Open Your Eyes = 9
The Ladder = 8
Magnification = 7

[BredYes]

Yes = 8
Time & A Word = 7
The Yes Album = 9,5
Fragile = 9,5
Close to the Edge = 10
Tales From Topographic Oceans = 8,5
Relayer = 9
Going For The One = 9
Tormato = 7,5
Drama = 7
90125 = 8
Big Generator = 6
Anderson, Bruford, Wakeman, Howe = 6,5
Union = 5
Talk = 8
Keys To Ascension (Studio Tracks considered only) = 7,5
Keys To Ascension 2 ( Same as above) = 8
Open Your Eyes = 4,5
The Ladder = 7
Magnification = 8,5

[bender]

Yes- 5
Time and a word-6
The Yes Album- 9
Fragile- 8
CTTE- 10
Tales- 7
Relayer- 10
Going for the one- 9
Tormato- 8
Drama- 7
90125- 5
Big generator- 3
ABWH- 6
Union- 2
Talk- 6
KTA 1&2- 7
Open your eyes- 3
The ladder- 6
Magnification- 7

[yarstruly]

OK...Here are the averages up through Bender's post....
Decimals are rounded off...

Yes: 6.196
TAAW: 5.982
TYA: 8.830
Fragile: 8.580
CTTE: 9.982
Tales: 8.071
Relayer: 9.125
GFTO: 8.366
Tormato: 7.508
Drama: 7.275
90125: 7.2223
BG: 5.1339
ABWH: 7.1528
Union: 4.9732
Talk: 7.1229
KTA1: 6.6607
KTA2: 7.3482
OYE: 5.38771
Ladder: 7.5357
Magnification: 8.275

[TNyesfan]

Hmm, interestingly most people give one really low score.

Rounding to the nearest hundreth, the top five Yes albums are:
CTTE 9.98
Relayer 9.13
Fragile 8.58
GFTO 8.37
Magnification 8.28
With Tales hugging close in 6th place.

My 2 favorites, GFTO and Magnification, rank extremely close to one another according to the fans here. Funny though, I would rate Fragile, along with my 2 favs., as solid 9's.

[yarstruly]

Interesting to see how other YesFans analyze this info...

Good post TN....

[bataisflow]

Ok,
Yes - 7
Time & A Word - 7
The Yes Album - 8
Fragile - 9
Close to the Edge - 10
Tales From Topographic Oceans - 10
Relayer - 10
Going For The One - 10
Tormato - 7
Drama - 7
90125 - 7
Big Generator - 6
Anderson, Bruford, Wakeman, Howe - 9
Union - 5
Talk - 5
Keys To Ascension (Studio Tracks considered only) - 7
Keys To Ascension 2 ( Same as above) - 7
Open Your Eyes - 7
The Ladder - 8
Magnification - 9

[nightliner]

Yes 7
Time & A Word 7
The Yes Album 9
Fragile 8
Close to the Edge 10
Tales From Topographic Oceans 9.5
Relayer 9.5
Going For The One 10
Tormato 8
Drama 7.5
90125 7
Big Generator 6.5
Anderson, Bruford, Wakeman, Howe 8.5
Union 7
Talk 8.5
Keys To Ascension 7
Keys To Ascension 2 7.5
Open Your Eyes 6
The Ladder 8
Magnification 9

Average 8.025

[yarstruly]

Bumping this up to get more votes!

[upbgirl]

Yes-dont have
Time & A Word-dont have
The Yes Album**10
Fragile ** 10
Close to the Edge** 15 oh- i mean 10 [;) ]
Tales From Topographic Oceans**9
Relayer**8
Going For The One**8
Tormato-dont have it
Drama-gonna admit it now-never even heard this one.. :crybby:
90125**7
Big Generator**3
Anderson, Bruford, Wakeman, Howe**7
Union**7
Talk**7
Keys To Ascension (Studio Tracks considered only)**6
Keys To Ascension 2 ( Same as above)**6
Open Your Eyes**5
The Ladder**9
Magnification**10

that wasnt so hard..
except admitting i dont have drama.. hehe

[yarstruly]

Updated Averages through Kathi's post...

Yes: 6.723
TAAW: 6.66
TYA: 8.9575
Fragile: 8.895
CTTE: 9.9955
Tales: 9.14275
Relayer: 9.15625
GFTO: 9.0915
Tormato: 7.5026
Drama: 7.2583
90125: 7.0556
BG: 5.158
ABWH: 7.9132
Union: 5.993
Talk: 6.906
KTA1: 6.665
KTA2: 6.692
OYE: 5.847
Ladder: 8.1334
Mag: 9.069

[Silent_wings]

Yes = 8
Time & A Word = 7
The Yes Album = 8
Fragile = 8
Close to the Edge =10
Tales From Topographic Oceans = 9
Relayer = 9
Going For The One = 9.5
Tormato = 9
Drama = 7
90125 = 8
Big Generator = 7
Anderson, Bruford, Wakeman, Howe = 8
Union = 6
Talk = 10
Keys To Ascension (Studio Tracks considered only) = 8
Keys To Ascension 2 ( Same as above) = 8
Open Your Eyes = 5
The Ladder = 6
Magnification = 8

[gathernear]

Yes 5
Time & A Word 7
The Yes Album 8
Fragile 10
Close to the Edge 10
Tales From Topographic Oceans 10
Relayer 6
Going For The One 9
Tormato 4
Drama 4
90125 7
Big Generator 4
Anderson, Bruford, Wakeman, Howe 6
Union 4
Talk ?
Keys To Ascension (Studio Tracks considered only) ?
Keys To Ascension 2 ( Same as above) ?
Open Your Eyes ?
The Ladder 8
Magnification 8

[Timmo]

Yes 2
Time & A Word 3
The Yes Album 9
Fragile 8
Close to the Edge 9
Tales From Topographic Oceans 6
Relayer 10
Going For The One 5
Tormato 5
Drama 1
90125 1
Big Generator 1
Anderson, Bruford, Wakeman, Howe 3
Union 1
Talk 1
Keys To Ascension (Studio Tracks considered only) 4
Keys To Ascension 2 ( Same as above) 3
Open Your Eyes 3
The Ladder 3
Magnification 8

[Timmo]

Updated Averages through Kathi's post...

Yes: 6.723
TAAW: 6.66
TYA: 8.9575
Fragile: 8.895
CTTE: 9.9955
Tales: 9.14275
Relayer: 9.15625
GFTO: 9.0915
Tormato: 7.5026
Drama: 7.2583
90125: 7.0556
BG: 5.158
ABWH: 7.9132
Union: 5.993
Talk: 6.906
KTA1: 6.665
KTA2: 6.692
OYE: 5.847
Ladder: 8.1334
Mag: 9.069

More interesting...here they are in decending order:

Rank Album Avg. Score
1 CTTE 9.9955
2 Relayer 9.15625
3 Tales 9.14275
4 GFTO 9.0915
5 Mag 9.069
6 Yes Alb. 8.9575
7 Fragile 8.895
8 Ladder 8.1334
9 ABWH 7.9132
10 Tormato 7.5026
11 Drama 7.2583
12 90125 7.0556
13 Talk 6.906
14 Yes 6.723
15 Keys 1 6.692
16 Keys 2 6.665
17 TAAW 6.66
18 Union 5.993
19 OYE 5.847
20 BG 5.158

[MindDrive]

Yes 4
Time & A Word 5
The Yes Album 9
Fragile 7
Close to the Edge 9
Tales From Topographic Oceans 8
Relayer 9
Going For The One 9
Tormato 8
Drama 7
90125 6
Big Generator 5
Anderson, Bruford, Wakeman, Howe 6
Union 4
Talk 6
Keys To Ascension (Studio Tracks considered only) 5
Keys To Ascension 2 ( Same as above) 4
Open Your Eyes 3
The Ladder 5
Magnification 7

[Faceintheplace]

For the early albums, I am taking the Rhino bonus material into consideration. I will grade the KTA live and studio material seperate.

YES 9 (a solid debut)
TIME AND A WORD 7.5 (would have better with no orchestra)
THE YES ALBUM 10 (perfection)
FRAGILE 9 (too bad rick couldn't have recorded "Handle With Care", everything else is solid)
CLOSE TO THE EDGE 10 (the all time best)
TALES FROM TOPOGRAHIC OCEANS 9.5 (my all time favorite)
RELAYER 9 (very under appreciated)
GOING FOR THE ONE 9 (very strong)
TORMATO 7 (the better material stands out, but bad production values)
DRAMA 9 (another favorite of mine)
90125 8 (pretty strong, at its weakest a bit too radio friendly, at its best its a continuation of ideas explored on Drama)
BIG GENERATOR 8 (I always liked this one)
ANDERSON BRUFORD WAKEMAN HOWE 8 (great material but I hate the electric drums, and needs more bass and guitar)
UNION 6.5 (just like Tormato, some good matieral but weak production. Elias ruined "Without Hope.....")
TALK 8 (Rabin's best work, but my Dad played this non stop so I find it hard to enjoy now, even though I know its good. "Real Love" and "Walls" are standouts.)
KTA STUDIO MATERIAL 9 (great hearing epics again)
KTA LIVE " " 7.5 (a knoble effort, but now I prefer Vegas 2002)
OPEN YOUR EYES 5 (my least favorite album)
THE LADDER 8 (good comeback, "New Language" would be perfect if it weren't for that mega happy electric piano bit, but good opening and closing. I love "Homeworld", "It Will Be A Good Day", "Finally" and "The Messenger.")
MAGNIFICATION 9 (minus one point for "Soft as a Dove" but overall, I'd say its their strongest since the studio Keys... the next one should be a mind blower.)

[Timmo]

RELAYER 9 (very under appreciated)



I wouldn't say "Relayer" is underappreciated; it was a close second to "Close to the Edge" in the poll.

It was the only one that got a 10 from me tho!

TIM
Venice, CA

[yarstruly]

OK...I'm a little behind on tabulating, didn't catch the recent replies....BTW, There are additional threads for Live & Compilation albums, so the votes for the live tracks won't be tabulated here (Sorry, Faceintheplace)....I'm a little saddened by Muscla's overall low scores (and a bit confused... you only like a few of the albums?)but will still include them in tabulations....

Here goes....

Yes: 5.787
TAAW: 6.027
TYA: 8.826
Fragile: 8.482
CTTE: 9.666
Tales: 8.607
Relayer: 8.693
GFTO: 8.432
Tormato: 6.917
Drama: 5.876
90152: 6.176
BG: 5.026
ABWH: 6.365
Union: 4.582
Talk: 6.381
KTA1: 6.533
KTA2: 6.134
OYE: 4.369
Ladder: 6355
Magnification: 8.178

[Timmo]

I'm a little saddened by Muscla's overall low scores (and a bit confused... you only like a few of the albums?)but will still include them in tabulations....

Yep, maybe you should take me out. I really hate the 80s era "Yes-West" stuff. And I don't think it has aged well either, unlike the music made during their "Classic" period, especially "Relayer."

But what I do like I like A LOT...TYA, Fragile, CTTE, Relayer, some of Tales, a few songs from GFTO, "On the Silent Wings of Freedom" from Tormato, and lately "Magnification." I kinda see "Mag" as a rebirth.

TIM
Venice, CA

[yarstruly]

Yep, maybe you should take me out. I really hate the 80s era "Yes-West" stuff. And I don't think it has aged well either, unlike the music made during their "Classic" period, especially "Relayer."

But what I do like I like A LOT...TYA, Fragile, CTTE, Relayer, some of Tales, a few songs from GFTO, "On the Silent Wings of Freedom" from Tormato, and lately "Magnification." I kinda see "Mag" as a rebirth.

TIM
Venice, CA

No, I don't want to take you out...you have as much a right to your opinions as I have to mine. The low scores on so many albums just left me a bit perplexed (that's the word I was looking for earlier). But just because I don't agree does not invalidate your rankings. I am more of a Yes-wholist for lack of a better term, with a slight Trooper leaning...but I still love the West stuff. I just enjoy it all :D

[MindDrive]

Personally I don't want to see too many tens up there. After all, we want them to strive to out do themselves on the next album, right?!! Ten is pretty hard to beat! ^u^

...I can understand all the tens, just that I wanted to be strict when I voted.

[The Moondog]

Yes - 4
Time & A Word - 4
The Yes Album - 7
Fragile - 9
Close to the Edge - 10
Tales From Topographic Oceans - 10
Relayer -10
Going For The One - 10
Tormato - 6
Drama - 7
90125 - 9
Big Generator - 7
Anderson, Bruford, Wakeman, Howe - 6
Union - 4
Talk - 4
Keys To Ascension (Studio Tracks considered only) - 5
Keys To Ascension 2 ( Same as above) - 8
Open Your Eyes - 5
The Ladder - 6
Magnification - 6

[Mr. Holland]

Yes (6,5)
Time & A Word (7)
The Yes Album (9)
Fragile (9)
Close to the Edge (9,5)
Tales From Topographic Oceans (7)
Relayer (8,5)
Going For The One (9)
Tormato (7,5)
Drama (8,5)
90125 (8,5)
Big Generator (7,5)
Anderson, Bruford, Wakeman, Howe (8)
Union (7)
Talk (9)
Keys To Ascension (Studio Tracks considered only) (7,5)
Keys To Ascension 2 ( Same as above) (8)
Open Your Eyes (5,5)
The Ladder (8,5)
Magnification (9)

I'm not giving out a 10, because I hope the best is still to come.......

[yarstruly]

Latest update, through Mr. Holland....

Yes: 5.429
TAAW: 5.676
TYA: 8.275
Fragile: 8.827
CTTE: 9.722
Tales: 8.536
Relayer: 9.064
GFTO: 9.144
Tormato: 6.806
Drama: 7.125
90125: 7.892
BG: 6.509
ABWH: 6.789
Union: 5.194
Talk: 6.460
KTA1: 6.344
KTA2: 7.378
OYE: 4.957
Ladder: 6.952
Magnification: 7.726

[yessongs72]

Here's My Rating,Unbiased

Yes
Time & A Word 7
The Yes Album 8
Fragile 9
Close to the Edge 10
Tales From Topographic Oceans 10
Relayer 8
Going For The One 8
Tormato 9
Drama 0
90125 7
Big Generator 3
Anderson, Bruford, Wakeman, Howe....not a Yes album
Union....6
Talk.......7
Keys To Ascension (Studio Tracks considered only)....2
Keys To Ascension Live.....8
Open Your Eyes....0
The Ladder......9
Magnification....10

It's truely a shame there's not a new Yes album to rate, it's only been two years.What are you waiting for??

[gt76yesman]

Time & A Word 5
The Yes Album 7
Fragile 8
Close to the Edge 10
Topographic Oceans 8
Relayer 7
Going For The One 8.5
Tormato 7
Drama 2.5
90125 8.5
Big Generator 4
ABWH 6.5
Union 7
Talk 5.5
Keys To Ascension 9
Keys To Ascension 2 8.5
Open Your Eyes 4
The Ladder 6.5
Magnification 9.5

[yarstruly]

The latest (through Glendo)

Yes:5.429 (No new votes)
TAAW: 6.556
TYA: 7.609
Fragile: 8.442
CTTE: 9.907
Tales: 8.845
Relayer: 8.021
GFTO: 7.715
Tormato: 7.602
Drama: 3.208 (OUCH!)
90125: 7.797
BG: 4.836
ABWH: 6.645
Union: 6.065
Talk: 6.32
KTA1: 5.781
KTA2: 5.959
OYE: 2.986 (DOUBLE OUCH!!)
Ladder: 7.15
Magnification:9.075

Surprised (slightly) that Don's lowest votes were from albums Howe played on.....very fair to the YesWest....

[Topographic Ocean]

Yes=5
Time & A Word=5
The Yes Album=7
Fragile=8
Close to the Edge=9
Tales From Topographic Oceans=10
Relayer=9
Going For The One=8
Tormato=7
Drama=7
90125=7
Big Generator=6
Anderson, Bruford, Wakeman, Howe=7
Union=6
Talk=6
Keys To Ascension (Studio Tracks considered only)=6
Keys To Ascension 2 ( Same as above)=6
Open Your Eyes=5
The Ladder=7
Magnification=6

[PeterCologne]

This is tough, my rates reflect just my momentary mood:
Yes: 7.77
Time & A Word: 6.5
The Yes Album: 10
Fragile: 8
Close to the Edge: 9
Tales From Topographic Oceans: 10
Relayer: 10
Going For The One: 6.5
Tormato: 6
Drama: 9
90125: 9.5
Big Generator: 10
Anderson, Bruford, Wakeman, Howe: 5
Union: 6.5
Talk: 10
Keys To Ascension (Studio Tracks considered only): 6
Keys To Ascension 2 ( Same as above): 8
Open Your Eyes: 7.5
The Ladder: 7.75
Magnification:9.5

Well, no album below 5, it seems, this Yes is not so bad

Greetings

Peter

[closetotheedge]

Yes 4
Time & A Word 7
The Yes Album 9
Fragile 10
Close to the Edge 12
Tales From Topographic Oceans 10
Relayer 6
Going For The One 6
Tormato 3
Drama 2
90125 4
Big Generator 5
Anderson, Bruford, Wakeman, Howe 7
Union 5
Talk 7
Keys To Ascension (Studio Tracks considered only) 4
Keys To Ascension 2 ( Same as above) 4
Open Your Eyes 1
The Ladder 3
Magnification 7

[gleeman]

Yes--7
Time & A Word--5
The Yes Album--9
Fragile--9.5
Close to the Edge--8
Tales From Topographic Oceans--3
Relayer--10
Going For The One--7
Tormato--5
Drama--4
90125--4
Big Generator--3
Anderson, Bruford, Wakeman, Howe--4
Union--0
Talk--?(haven't heard it)
Keys To Ascension (Studio Tracks considered only)--2
Keys To Ascension 2 ( Same as above)--?
Open Your Eyes--?
The Ladder--4
Magnification--6

(I will reveal my opinions later)[/QUOTE]

[yarstruly]

Newest Averages(through Gleeman):

Yes: 5.840
TAAW:6.011
TYA: 8.522
Fragile: 8.789
CTTE: 9.184
Tales: 8.369
Relayer: 8.604
GFTO: 7.043
Tormato: 5.72
Drama: 5.042
90125: 6.46
BG: 5.777
ABWH: 5.93
Union: 4.713
Talk: 7.33
KTA1: 4.756
KTA2: 5.99
OYE: 4.122
Ladder: 5.78
Magnification:7.515

[PeterCologne]

I wonder too about the low rates for most of the albums. Isn't Yes our favourite band? I woukld have expected more enthusiasm. Well, everybody has to judge just what he feels. But I don't think, I would be still a yes-maniac, if only those four classics between TYA and Relayer were a joy to me. But hey, Yesfans are strange - and I like it.

Greetings

Peter

[Koen Dejonghe]

:yesbird: :yesbird:

I really don't like a rating in this style but is a good point of departure to think deeper about every album.My points give an appreciation for each album as a whole.There are albums wich have lower points but could have only one or more superb songs.
So here comes my list:

Yes: 7
Time & A Word: 6
The Yes Album: 8
Fragile: 9
Close to the Edge: 10
Tales From Topographic Oceans: 9
Relayer: 10
Going For The One: 9
Tormato: 6
Drama: 5
90125: 8
Big Generator; 8
Anderson, Bruford, Wakeman, Howe: never heard, sorry
Union: 7
Talk: 7
Keys To Ascension (Studio Tracks considered only): 6
Keys To Ascension 2 ( Same as above): 7
Open Your Eyes: 6
The Ladder: 7
Magnification: 8

:yesbird: :yesbird:

[I]"Like leaves we touch, we learn"

[Mr. Holland]

I wonder too about the low rates for most of the albums. Isn't Yes our favourite band? I woukld have expected more enthusiasm. Well, everybody has to judge just what he feels. But I don't think, I would be still a yes-maniac, if only those four classics between TYA and Relayer were a joy to me. But hey, Yesfans are strange - and I like it.

Greetings

Peter

I think the low ratings are there, because what most people do, is compare the albums with each other and then rate them, instead of rating every album on it's own............

[gt76yesman]

Mr. Holland, that is how I did it. More of a grading by curve. Otherwise there would be many 10's and many 9's.....

Glendo

[PeterCologne]

I think the low ratings are there, because what most people do, is compare the albums with each other and then rate them, instead of rating every album on it's own............

You are right, Arno. I just voted, what I hear on that special album.

Greetings

Peter

[yarstruly]

I think the low ratings are there, because what most people do, is compare the albums with each other and then rate them, instead of rating every album on it's own............


My point in doing this was to rate each album on its own merits, not compare....but I have to go with what people are giving me.....

[About The Round]

Yes = 6
Time and a Word = 5
The Yes Album = 7
Fragile = 9
Close to the Edge = 10
Tales From Topographic Oceans = 8
Relayer = 10
Going For The One = 7
Tormato = 6
Drama = 5
90125 = 1
Big Generator = 1
ABWH = 0,5
Union = 0,25
Talk = 0,10
Keys To Ascension one and two = 2,5
Open Your Eyes = 0,001
The Ladder = 2
Magnification = 3

[PeterCologne]

Yes = 6
Time and a Word = 5
The Yes Album = 7
Fragile = 9
Close to the Edge = 10
Tales From Topographic Oceans = 8
Relayer = 10
Going For The One = 7
Tormato = 6
Drama = 5
90125 = 1
Big Generator = 1
ABWH = 0,5
Union = 0,25
Talk = 0,10
Keys To Ascension one and two = 2,5
Open Your Eyes = 0,001
The Ladder = 2
Magnification = 3

Welcome here, About The Round, but I just wonder - seems, that you did not have much fun with Yes during the last 25 years. What is your favourite music/group/artist?

Greetings

Peter

[simon1662]

My list reflects the playlist of the reunion tour (more or less). I consider the absence of Jon and Rick and the presence of Buggles and Trevor Rabin to be a low point in the life of the band.
Yes = 5
Time and a Word = 6
The Yes Album = 6
Fragile = 10
Close to the Edge = 10
Tales From Topographic Oceans = 8
Relayer = 10
Going For The One = 10
Tormato = 8
Drama = 2
90125 = 3
Big Generator = 4
ABWH = 4
Union = 4
Talk = 3
Keys To Ascension one and two = 3
Open Your Eyes = 5
The Ladder = 4
Magnification = 5[FONT=Georgia]

[gleeman]

I think judging an album "by its own merits" should still yield some low scores. Just what are the merits of Union, for example, a horrible cold unfinished no-feel hodgepodge spawned in a boardroom by lawyers and record company execs?

In my opinion Yes has only a handful of great records, but those few are sufficiently wonderful that Yes still means a lot to me as a band.

But for those who can't bear seeing a low score next to a Yes album, may I revise my list somewhat? I'll give Tormato a 7 (up from 5). Since making my list I heard it again for the first time in years and found it surprisingly energetic, inventive, and even bold in its quirkiness. And I think The Yes Album deserves a 10.

[Marco78]

YES 7,5
TIME AND A WORD 7
THE YES ALBUM 9,5
FRAGILE 10
CLOSE TO THE EDGE 10
TALES FROM TOPOGRAPHIC OCEANS 9,5
RELAYER 9,5
GOING FOR THE ONE 9
TORMATO 7
DRAMA 5,5
90125 7
BIG GENERATOR 6,5
UNION 5
KEYS STUDIO 8,5
OPEN YOUR EYES 6
THE LADDER 5-
MAGNIFICATION 8

i still haven't found Abwh & talk...

[chrysanthemum]

For myself, I find that almost every Yes album has something very valuable to offer me. Even the Yes I like the least is better for me than most other music. Thus, my ratings are really more about my tastes, and what I go to Yes for, than some definition of "quality." One of the things I've come to appreciate over time is how Yes music has been so diverse that it has someting to offer a lot of very different people. I had a partner once who only liked Drama, because she didn't like Jon's voice. That's impossible for me to relate to on any level, but, wow. Yes had something to offer even her!

I can't handle The Ladder, but this is so much about tastes. I do not like those multicultural sounds in my Yes music. Someone once said that Rick Wakeman doesn't have a blue note in his body, and I love his work dearly for it. I can recognize that it is pretty well done, though.

I'm not so sure with Open Your Eyes. It sounds unfinished. I terribly miss having strong keyboards. It's one of the reasons I don't like the Rabin era stuff so much. I really like "Changes" and "Endless Dream," but it's too guitar-oriented to be heavy favorites of mine.

Be the One has become one of my all-time favorite Yes songs recently. It really grew on me. I still can't handle listening to Jon sing about crack, though.

I was so thrilled to hear Magnification when I got my copy I was in tears. For the first time in 20 years Yes came through for me with music I could enjoy for what I've always come to Yes for. The lyrics are the best I've heard on any Yes album to come out in those 20 years. I do love Jon's voice, and I like it best when he's singing ethereal lyrics.

Yes 3
Time & A Word 3
The Yes Album 4
Fragile 5
Close to the Edge 10
Tales From Topographic Oceans 10
Relayer 9
Going For The One 8
Tormato 4
Drama 7
90125 6
Big Generator 5
Anderson, Bruford, Wakeman, Howe 6
Union 4
Talk 5
Keys To Ascension (Studio Tracks considered only) (9 for "Be the One", I can't stand "That, That Is")
Keys To Ascension 2 ( Same as above) 5
Open Your Eyes 1
The Ladder 1
Magnification 8

[T0ny]

I still think that Going for the One is out and out their best music to date. If I was ever to try to explain to someone who had not heard any Yes music THIS is the stuff I would play them. Why?

C'mon!!!! Even just the opening chord on the Catherdral organ is enough to send shivers down my spine. WOW!!!

Of course then there's the EPIC last track with more than a hint of Led Zeppelin about it and the amazingly clever ascending bass line on which the last section is built.

I never get tired of hearing this album, which is something I can't say for some Yes music. Of course Fragile comes in a close second followed by close to the edge.

Question though:- how did they record the Cathedral organ. I mean it is such an integral part of the music. Did they record Rick first or did they do the rest first and play it back to Rick while he was in the Cathedral? Or did they do the whole song together and what did the Bishop make of it?

[Timmo]

I still think that Going for the One is out and out their best music to date. If I was ever to try to explain to someone who had not heard any Yes music THIS is the stuff I would play them. Why?

C'mon!!!! Even just the opening chord on the Catherdral organ is enough to send shivers down my spine. WOW!!!

Of course then there's the EPIC last track with more than a hint of Led Zeppelin about it and the amazingly clever ascending bass line on which the last section is built.

I never get tired of hearing this album, which is something I can't say for some Yes music. Of course Fragile comes in a close second followed by close to the edge.

Question though:- how did they record the Cathedral organ. I mean it is such an integral part of the music. Did they record Rick first or did they do the rest first and play it back to Rick while he was in the Cathedral? Or did they do the whole song together and what did the Bishop make of it?

Regarding the Cathedral Organ...Believe it or not, I recall reading at the time that the Swiss telephone system was one of the clearest in the world, and that he phoned it in. I imagine that he was wearing headphones and listening to the other tracks while they recorded the organ, and that they mixed it all later in the studio.

FWIW, I give GFTO #6, behind Relayer, CTTE, TYA, Fragile, and Tales. But that's just me!

tim
vENICE, cA

[yessongs72]

Ok here we go.......

Yes.....5
Time & A Word....6.5
The Yes Album......8
Fragile......9
Close to the Edge.....9
Tales From Topographic Oceans.......10
Relayer.......7
Going For The One.....8
Tormato........8.5.
Drama.......0
90125........6
Big Generator.......5
Anderson, Bruford, Wakeman, Howe....not a Yes album
Union.......4
Talk........6
Keys To Ascension (Studio Tracks considered only)........4
Keys To Ascension 2 ( Same as above).......4
Open Your Eyes........2
The Ladder........8
Magnification......9

These are my opinions,and I know I am right,lol.

[Timmo]

Ok here we go.......

Yes.....5
Time & A Word....6.5
The Yes Album......8
Fragile......7.5
Close to the Edge.....9
Tales From Topographic Oceans.......10
Relayer.......7
Going For The One.....7
Tormato........8.5.
Drama.......0
90125........6
Big Generator.......5
Anderson, Bruford, Wakeman, Howe....not a Yes album
Union.......4
Talk........6
Keys To Ascension (Studio Tracks considered only)........4
Keys To Ascension 2 ( Same as above).......4
Open Your Eyes........2
The Ladder........8
Magnification......9

These are my opinions,and I know I am right,lol.

You are SO WRONG!!!! Relayer only a SEVEN? with Tales a 10 (I love Tales, but it ain't better than Relayer). The biggest insult is Tormato rated HIGHER than Relayer and The Yes Album!!!

The horror, the horror!

sHUDDER, sHUDDER.

(just kidding, as usual).

TIM
Venice, CA

[yarstruly]

Don, you already voted...:D...Got you averaged in already.

New averages:

Yes: 4.556
TAAW: 5.502
TYA: 7.17
Fragile: 8.632
CTTE: 9.864
Tales: 8.812
Relayer: 9.517
GFTO: 8.340
Tormato: 6.12
Drama: 4.924
90125: 5.244
BG: 5.046
ABWH: 4.108
Union: 4.202
Talk: 4.566
KTA1: 5.626
KTA2: 5.332
OYE: 3.77
Ladder: 4.13
Magnification: 5.253

BTW...About the round...I only went down to 0.5 as a score, That's low enough don't ya think? (Unless someone gave a "0" then I counted it)....

[About The Round]

Welcome here, About The Round, but I just wonder - seems, that you did not have much fun with Yes during the last 25 years. What is your favourite music/group/artist?

Greetings

Peter

YES, they´re still at the top of the leauge, live – I think.

ellswise there are Ânglagârd, Spock´s Beard, The Flower Kings, Radiohead, Kaipa, Camel, White Willow and Echolyn of the current
bands that are worth listening to.

[sbmsu]

Yes-->6
Time & A Word-->7
The Yes Album-->8
Fragile-->9.5
Close to the Edge-->10
Tales From Topographic Oceans-->7.5
Relayer-->10
Going For The One-->9
Tormato-->6.5
Drama-->n/a
90125-->8.5
Big Generator-->7.5
Anderson, Bruford, Wakeman, Howe-->8
Union-->6
Talk-->8
Keys To Ascension (Studio Tracks considered only)-->7.5
Keys To Ascension 2 ( Same as above)-->7
Open Your Eyes-->3
The Ladder-->7.5
Magnification-->8

[Gerard]

Heres my two pennorth.

Yes - 9. A stunning debut. Totally original. The 1st "yessifications" of other peoples songs. Jon & Chris not happy with it. Truly the shape of things to come.

Time And A Word - 9. The introduction of strings with the beautiful melodies. These boys are really going places. Jon & Chris not happy with this one either. Somebody not happy with Peter (whose guitar work is stunning, if a bit understated), or is it Peter who is not happy.

The Yes Album - 10. The new boy shines on guitar. Perfection. Somebody is not happy with Tony, or is it Tony who is not happy. Did he refuse to play synth?

Fragile - 9. The new boy can really play those keys. Has my fave track (HOTS, its actually playing as I type). Nobody unhappy. Not so, the fans - "Why didn't he play something original as his solo piece". His solo contract was with A & M.

Close To The Edge - 10. Oh boy, they've done it again. Bill quits. Amazing.

Tales From Topographic Oceans - 9.5. Two immediately recognisable as classics, two that need a little time to burn into the heart. Ricks not happy and eventually quits. Why is this the incident that everyone keeps dragging up? I once read that Rick said that in the CD age the tracks would have been 18 mins, 15 mins, 12 mins & 8 mins (can't remember the actual times but these are pretty close). I think he has a fair point. Doesn't stop me loving it though.

Relayer - 9.5. Three cracking tracks. The new boy does a great job. Rick reviews it on the Friday Rock Show on BBC Radio 1. "Good, but I thought it would be better". (guess he'd have given it a 7, but he had only listened to it once, never enough.) Patrick not happy, quits after tour. At least he can tell everyone he meets that he was in Yes.

Going For The One - 10. The hat trick. Awaken took a long time for me but this has been my personal fave for the last 12 months. Steve not happy with this one.

Tormato - 8. Still better than any other band around, a solid rock album. Unhappiness in the band, eventually Jon & Rick quit.

So did I. I never stopped listening to any of the above but I never bought another Yes album for 22 years. Well, they got it back together and so did I.

I will not rate any of the other albums because I don't think I have listened to them often enough but, I must confess, a tear came into my eye while listening to "In The Presence Of" last week.

One final thought. Can Alan really be a true member of Yes? I've never heard of him moaning about any of the albums.

[About The Round]

Heres my two pennorth.

Yes - 9. A stunning debut. Totally original. The 1st "yessifications" of other peoples songs. Jon & Chris not happy with it. Truly the shape of things to come.

One final thought. Can Alan really be a true member of Yes? I've never heard of him moaning about any of the albums.

Amusing to see one pull so mutch weight behind the first recordings. You give them credit for beeing original. True, I´ve never heard something similar, though I´ve tried to find something from that period of time. I´m intrested in finding their early influences, only to recognize Crosby, Stills and Nash with that kind of lyrical/pastoral/innocent feel.

Alan? I think he´s so down to earth type of caracter that he feels no ambition to talk about things he belive is not his cup of tea. From his angle, the drumming is decent all over and suits the intended style of each album. That´s enough from a professional.

[umgekehrt]

Yes = 7
Time And A Word = 9
The Yes Album = 8
Fragile = 8
Close to the Edge = 8
Tales From Topographic Oceans = 7
Relayer = 7
Going For The One = 7
Tormato = 7
Drama = 8
90125 = 5
Big Generator = 7
Anderson, Bruford, Wakeman, Howe = 9
Union = 9
Talk = 7
Keys To Ascension (Studio Tracks considered only) = 6
Keys To Ascension 2 ( Same as above) = 6
Open Your Eyes = 8
The Ladder = 8
Magnification = 9

[yarstruly]

Welcome to the site! I will average the scores again soon...unless someone else would like to do it for me :D

[umgekehrt]

Welcome to the site! I will average the scores again soon...unless someone else would like to do it for me :D

Thanks for the welcome greeting. Here's the average up to and including my vote:

Yes = 6.008
Time And A Word = 6.276
The Yes Album = 8.391
Fragile = 8.667
Close To The Edge = 9.730
Tales From Topographic Oceans = 8.551
Relayer = 8.667
Going For The One = 8.410
Tormato = 6.881
Drama = 5.929
90125 = 6.671
Big Generator = 5.408
ABWH = 6.824
Union = 5.362
Talk = 6.591
Keys To Ascension 1 Studio = 6.324
Keys To Ascension 2 Studio = 6.514
Open Your Eyes = 4.900
The Ladder 6.651
Magnification = 8.041

[Timmo]

Thanks for the welcome greeting. Here's the average up to and including my vote:

Yes = 6.008
Time And A Word = 6.276
The Yes Album = 8.391
Fragile = 8.667
Close To The Edge = 9.730
Tales From Topographic Oceans = 8.551
Relayer = 8.667
Going For The One = 8.410
Tormato = 6.881
Drama = 5.929
90125 = 6.671
Big Generator = 5.408
ABWH = 6.824
Union = 5.362
Talk = 6.591
Keys To Ascension 1 Studio = 6.324
Keys To Ascension 2 Studio = 6.514
Open Your Eyes = 4.900
The Ladder 6.651
Magnification = 8.041

That's more like it..."ReLAYer" tied with "Fragile" for #2, and CTTE firmly in the #1 spot.

Sounds about right to me!

TIM
Venice, CA

[yarstruly]

Thanks for the welcome greeting. Here's the average up to and including my vote:

Yes = 6.008
Time And A Word = 6.276
The Yes Album = 8.391
Fragile = 8.667
Close To The Edge = 9.730
Tales From Topographic Oceans = 8.551
Relayer = 8.667
Going For The One = 8.410
Tormato = 6.881
Drama = 5.929
90125 = 6.671
Big Generator = 5.408
ABWH = 6.824
Union = 5.362
Talk = 6.591
Keys To Ascension 1 Studio = 6.324
Keys To Ascension 2 Studio = 6.514
Open Your Eyes = 4.900
The Ladder 6.651
Magnification = 8.041

Thank you very much! You just made my life a little easier :D
BTW there are similar threads in this forum (Rating Yes Albums) for Live Albums & Compilations as well....

[deanscape]

Yes 6
Time and a Word 5
The Yes album 8
Fragile 7
Close to the edge 8
Tales from topographic oceans 8
Relayer 9
Going for the one 10
Tormato 6
Drama 9
90125 9
Big Generator 6
Union 5
Talk 7
Open your eyes 3
The Ladder 5
Magnification 7

[closetotheedge]

Yes 6
Time and a Word 9
The Yes album 10
Fragile 10
Close to the edge 10
Tales from topographic oceans 8
Relayer 6
Going for the one 7
Tormato 4
Drama 2
90125 5
Big Generator 7
Union 5
Talk 7
Open your eyes 1
The Ladder 5
Magnification 7

[brian6660]

Yes 6
Time and a Word 7
The Yes album 10
Fragile 9
Close to the edge 10
Tales from topographic oceans 8
Relayer 8
Going for the one 10
Tormato 5
Drama 4
90125 7
Big Generator 6
Union 2
Talk 7
Open your eyes 1
The Ladder 7
Magnification 7

[YesfanAndy]

Yes = 5
Time And A Word = 5
The Yes Album = 10
Fragile = 9
Close To The Edge = 10
Tales From Topograhpic Oceans = 10
Relayer = 8
Going For The One = 10
Tormato = 8 (Still love it alot, though)
Drama = 8
90125 = 8
Big Generator = 7
Union = 4
Talk = 7

Keys Material aka "Keystudio" = 8
(I see some people didn't include this)

Open Your Eyes = 3
The Ladder = 10
Magnification = 9

[Astrall Traveller]

Yes- 7
Time and a word- 8.5
The Yes Album- 9
Fragile- 10
Close to the edge- 10
Tales from topographic oceans- 9.5
Relayer- 9.5
Going for the one- 9.5
Tormato- 8
Drama- 8
90125- 4
Big generator- 0
Anderson, Bruford, Wakeman, Howe- 7
Union- 5
Talk- 7.5
Keystudio- 7.5
Open your eyes- 6
The ladder- 9
Magnification- 9.5

[Rui__]

Yes --» 6
Time & A Word --» 7
The Yes Album --» 8
Fragile --» 10
Close to the Edge --» 10
Tales From Topographic Oceans --» 10
Relayer --» 10
Going For The One --» 10
Tormato --» 7
Drama --» 7
90125 --» 7
Big Generator --» 6
Anderson, Bruford, Wakeman, Howe --» 7
Union --» 4
Talk --» 4
Keys To Ascension (Studio Tracks considered only) --» 8
Keys To Ascension 2 ( Same as above) --» 8
Open Your Eyes --» 4
The Ladder --» 8
Magnification --» 8

[yarstruly]

Almost time for me to update some avarages...I will ASAP, unless someone else would like to do it for us... :D

[umgekehrt]

...
...
Close to the edge 8
...
...
90125 9
...
...


What? CTTE got 8 while 90125 got 9?!? Blasphemy!!!

LOL :D j/k Don't worry I only gave CTTE 9 and for in some people's book it's enough to stone me to death :P

BTW can I change my vote? I kinda mixed up 90125 and BG and gave 90 the higher note. Now that I've thought it over again BG is actually much better! I'll try to edit my earlier post.

[OldRelayer]

I find this quite interesting. One thing that really sticks out is that for a group that has been around for as long as Yes has they have a relatively few albums. But when you try to program a 2 1/2 hour concert you just can't do it without leaving out a tremendous amount of great material. Focusing on the last three albums it is clear that Open Your Eyes is not a great album in most peoples opinion. As far as Ladder and Magnification is concerned I find this particularly interesting. The majority of people put Magnification above Ladder, a couple the same and a couple ladder above Magnification. Just bored today and found it interesting.

[yarstruly]

Cool observations...have you given us your rankings?
BTW, again, there are also threads for the live albums & compilations in this same forum (Rate Yes Albums)....

[teejay]

Yes - 6
Time & A Word - 6
The Yes Album - 8
Fragile - 9
Close to the Edge - 9
Tales From Topographic Oceans - 10
Relayer - 9
Going For The One - 8
Tormato - 9
Drama - 8
90125 - 8
Big Generator - 7
Anderson, Bruford, Wakeman, Howe - 8
Union - 7
Talk - 9
Keys To Ascension (Studio Tracks considered only) - 7
Keys To Ascension 2 ( Same as above) - 8
Open Your Eyes - 6
The Ladder - 8
Magnification - 8

[sheerinertia]

Yes 6
Time & A Word 6
The Yes Album 7
Fragile 8
Close to the Edge 9
Tales From Topographic Oceans 9
Relayer 8
Going For The One 10
Tormato 8
Drama 7
90125 6
Big Generator 5
Anderson, Bruford, Wakeman, Howe 7
Union 6
Talk 6
Keys To Ascension (Studio Tracks considered only) 4
Keys To Ascension 2 ( Same as above) 4
Open Your Eyes 3
The Ladder 4
Magnification 5

[Marco78]

Yes 7
T&AW 7
TYA 9
Fragile 10
CTTE 10
TFTO 10
Relayer 10
GFTO 9,5
Tormato 8,5
Drama 7,5
90125 7
BG 6,5
Union 6,5
KeysStudio 8
OYE 7
TL 6,5
Magnification 8

(Still haven't found ABWH & Talk)

[Scheming Demon]

Yes = 4
Time and a Word = 5
The Yes Album = 6.5
Fragile = 9
Close to the Edge = 9.5
Tales From Topographic Oceans = 8.5
Relayer = 9.5
Going For The One = 7
Tormato = 7.5
Drama = 8
90125 = 5
Big Generator = 7.5
ABWH = 6.5
Union = 4
Talk = 9
Key Studio = 6.5
Open Your Eyes = 6.5
The Ladder = 5.5
Magnification = 8
__________________

[Emops]

YES…5

TIME AND A WORD…6

THE YES ALBUM…8.5

FRAGILE…8

CLOSE TO THE EDGE…10

TALES FROM TOPOGRAPHIC OCEANS…3.5

RELAYER…10

GOING FOR THE ONE…9

TORMATO…6

DRAMA…9

90125…6.5

BIG GENERATOR…8.5

UNION…1.5

TALK…4.5

KEYS TO ASCENSION (both)…5

OPEN YOUR EYES…3

THE LADDER…6.5

MAGNIFICATION…8

[David Momberg]

YES 6
Time and a Word 5
YES ALBUM 8
FRAGILE 9
CLOSE TO THE EDGE 10
TALES FROM TOPOGRAPHIC OCEANS 7
RELAYER 7
GOING FOR THE ONE 10
TORMATO 7
DRAMA 5
90125 6
Big Generator 4
Union 3
TALK 5
KTA 1 6
KTA 2 8
Open you Eyes 3
The Ladder 7
Magnification 7

[David Momberg]

Boy Emops, You really don't like Tales do you????? At least you gave Tormato a 6!!!!

[kruekutt]

A Newbie's Ratings:

Yes - don't have
Time & A Word - don't have
The Yes Album - 9
Fragile - 8
Close to the Edge - 10
Tales From Topographic Oceans - 5
Relayer - 7
Going For The One - 8
Tormato - 6
Drama - 7
90125 - 8
Big Generator - 6
Anderson, Bruford, Wakeman, Howe - 6
Union - 5
Talk - 6
Keys To Ascension (Studio Tracks considered only) - 6
Keys To Ascension 2 ( Same as above) - 6
Open Your Eyes - 4
The Ladder - 5
Magnification - 6

[Timmo]

A Newbie's Ratings:

Yes - don't have
Time & A Word - don't have
The Yes Album - 9
Fragile - 8
Close to the Edge - 10
Tales From Topographic Oceans - 5
Relayer - 7
Going For The One - 8
Tormato - 6
Drama - 7
90125 - 8
Big Generator - 6
Anderson, Bruford, Wakeman, Howe - 6
Union - 5
Talk - 6
Keys To Ascension (Studio Tracks considered only) - 6
Keys To Ascension 2 ( Same as above) - 6
Open Your Eyes - 4
The Ladder - 5
Magnification - 6"Relayer" only 7? "Tales" only 5? "90125" AN EIGHT, over "Tales" and "Relayer?"

Must be a newbie! But born same year as me, he should know better!

Just kidding (sorta! :stick: ) kruekutt, welcome to yesfans.

TIM
Venice, CA

[Tex]

Hmmm....

Yes: 5
Time & A Word: 4
The Yes Album: 8
Fragile: 8.5
Close To The Edge: 9
Tales: 4
(Too long, too padded, too damn boring)
(I know I'm gonna get strung up for those comments, but sorry boys and girls, everytime I put it on I get really drowsssssyyyyyyyy............
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZzz

Relayer: 100 (Yeah 100, it's that good!!)
Going For the One: 10
Tormato: 6.5
(Ugh...that underwater bass sound drives me crazy)
Drama: 7
90125: 7.5
Big Gen.: 3.5
ABWH: 5
Union: 2
Talk: 7. 5
Endless Dream is sweet!
Keystudio: 6
Open your eyes: 4
The Ladder: 8

Magnification:
musically: 9
lyrically: 3
too damn sappy
Thanks for reading!!

[Braniff92]

Yes 7
Time And A Word 7
The Yes Album 8.5
Fragile 9.5
Close To The Edge 10
Tales 10000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 00000000000000000000000!
Relayer 10000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 0000000000
Going For the One 8.5
Tormato 7.5
Drama 8.5
90125 7.5
Big Generator 6.5
ABWH 8
Union 7.5
Talk 7
Keys To Ascension (Studio) 8.5
Open Your eyes 6.5
The Ladder 8
Magnification 7
The only thing wrong with Tales and Relayer is that they weren't long enough !!!!! (ha ha)
Just my two cents.....Al.

[Jackaranda]

Yes - don't have
Time and A word- don't have
The Yes Album - 9
Fragile -9
Close to the Edge - 9
Tales -9
Relayer - 10
Going For The One - 10
Tormato - 5
Drama - 8
90125 - 9
Big Generator - 8
ABWH - 4
Union - 5
Talk -10
Keys To Ascension (studio tracks only) - 7
Keys to Ascension II (same as above) - 10
Open Your Eyes - 7
The Ladder - 6
Magnification -7

[WOLFman]

Yes - 6
Time and A word- 5
The Yes Album - 8
Fragile -7
Close to the Edge - 8
Tales -7
Relayer - 8
Going For The One - 8
Tormato - 5
Drama - 7
90125 - 8
Big Generator - 8
ABWH - 6
Union - 8(!)
Talk -9
Keys To Ascension (studio tracks only) - 5
Keys to Ascension II (same as above) - 6
Open Your Eyes - 6
The Ladder - 8
Magnification -8

Don't think any album is 'perfect', but Yes have gotten pretty close on occasion!

[yarstruly]

OK ....Getting time for another average soon...It might have to wait a couple of weeks until I'm off....unless someone wants to do it for me again ;)

[Gabriel]

I havent heard all the albums yet [Yes, Time and a Word, Drama, Magnification and Keys to ascension] but all the others I have:

The Yes Album: 9
Fragile: 10
Close to the Edge: 9
Tales from Topographic Oceans: 10
Relayer: 8
Going For The One: 10
Tormato: 7 [my least favourite Yes album so nothing else would rate lower than that]
90125: 9
Big Generator: 9
Union: 9 [I LOVE this album I think its terribly bashed and underrated]
Talk: 10
Open Your Eyes: 8
The Ladder: 9

[pianozach]

Yes album ratings

Here's my first post (and my 18 cents worth)

Yes – 7 (Great debut. Good original songs and great covers. How about that Bass sound?)

Time & A Word – 7 (Call me names, but I mark this one UP from a “6” because I actually LIKE the orchestra on this one. Here’s a band trying out something completely original on their sophomore album. I really appreciate that. The songs are better than their debut album, too.)

The Yes Album – 10 (man, not a bad track on this one. Love “A Venture” and “Perpetual Change” – now THERE’S forshadowing for you. The new guy on guitar can do everything that Banks could do, and way more besides. Too bad his voice is so crappy, though. But y’know, I think that Würm could’ve used a kickbutt keyboard solo.)

Fragile – 9 (What the heck? There’s only 4 real band numbers on this one – the rest seems to be filler. Thank the Lord they’ll never make THAT mistake again . . . Hey, the new guy is really good though – his Hammond playing puts Kaye’s playing to shame.)

Close to the Edge – 9 (LOVE “And You and I (I love the intro, and the Bass and Triangle duet, too)” “CttE” is dang good, too – I love the CS & SH vocal duet in the “in her white lace” section. “Khatru" is a bit on the repetitive side don't you think?

Tales From Topographic Oceans – 9 (What a ground-breaking sound collage for 1973 – I love it, although the guitar on the extended “The Ancient” jam gets pretty annoying.. Hey the new guy kicks butt on the drums)

Relayer – 10 (Gates of Delirium is a dang near perfect suite. And how about that “Sound Chaser” and “To Be Over?” Hey, the new guy on keyboards is awesome. I’m starting to feel like a broken record with the “Hey the new guy is . . . “ stuff. How about these guys just settle on a line-up, okay?)

Fish Out of Water – 10 (Yes, I know it’s technically NOT a yes album, but, it deserves a place in the list as much as ABWH, DRAMA and MAGNIFICATION in terms of Yes musicians playing Yes music together. This collection of tunes is phenomenal. This is art. Wish there were videos of this one.)

Going For The One – 5 (Wow. What a letdown. The old guy’s back with some goofy sounding synth parts. “GFTO” is one of the most annoying synth solos I’ve ever heard. And the phone line pipe organ? No wonder these guys got tagged with monikers like “overblown” and “dinosaurs.” And “Awaken” put me to sleep the first time I heard it (It’s grown on me since then – I loved seeing and hearing it live – yes, Jon really CAN play a harp.))

Tormato – 8 (All I ever read about this album usually rags on CS’s ‘underwater’ bass sound – again, I thought it was pretty neat sounding when the album came out, still do. I mark this one down to an “8” because of the inane “Circus of Heaven” and “Arriving UFO.” RW’s birotron wasn’t the BEST idea, but, hey, I actually appreciate it when musicians try new things. “Onward” is superb. “Future Times” does it for me too.)

Drama – 9 (other than “camera camera I am a . . . “ the album is constructed (composed?) and performed magnificently. Man I love hearing Squire sing, too. Too bad Jon didn’t sing on it. But, y’know, the new guys are pretty good. Anderson’s shoes (throat?) are (is) hard to fill (um, mimic?). And Horn’s bass playing on “Run Through the Light” is tastefully performed. Downes is a worthy replacement – different, yes yes, but good nonetheless.)

90125 – 10 (Tremendous comeback – I love all the songs, and love the newbie’s vocals and guitar playing and composing and keyboards and producing. Man, you just got to give Rabin his props for reviving and invigorating a “dead” group. Of course, when it came out I thought that Kaye had really improved over the years, but now it just seems sad that he was nothing more than the John Oates of the band. Y’know, oh the old guy’s back on keyb – oops- organ – well big whoopti-do. Doesn’t diminish the accomplishments of this album, though. Favorite songs: "City of Love," "Leave It" and "Changes.")

Big Generator - 6 – (love the guitars, but the constant heavy metal-type onslaught caught me off-guard when it was released. I’ve marked this one UP from my original “5.” The songs aren’t stinky, they’re all actually OK. I still cringe whenever I hear “I eat at Chez Nous,” though. I like “Shoot High” (great drums), and “Running.” But, in general, this one just gathers dust.)

Anderson, Bruford, Wakeman, Howe – 9 (Wow, rival Yesses. (TWO YESSES!!) Could this be the best of two Parallel(s) universes or what? I love this album, in spite of the Jon Anderson syrupy stuff. I really miss Chris’s Bass, though. I could have done without the “Quartet” trip down memory lane – it probably looked good on paper. And “Teakbois” seemed forced and out of place – not to mention that Wakeman is no Emerson. (I know, I know, Emerson is no Wakeman either.) And the new guy on bass is a worthy replacement for the unavailable Squire.)

Union – 9 (Wow - double Yes!. I loved this album before I knew about all of the – ahem – politics surrounding it’s release, so I think I was able to judge it on it’s own merits. In spite of the poorly engineered Yes East stuff, and that Wakeman doesn’t even recognize what parts of his were and weren’t replaced and most of Howe’s playing needed(?) to be overdubbed, and that I’ve heard some of this before on some Steve Howe album, and that only Rabin and White will say anything nice about this one, and that they all never really played TOGETHER (Why isn't there a video or CD of the Union TOUR?), it’s not a bad album. “Without Hope,” “Lift Me Up,” “Miracle of Life,” and “Angkor Wat” were all top notch tracks. I thought the Cambodian poetry was great. [oh back off - get an open mind already!] Yeah, there was a lot of filler on this, but Yes filler is still better than most bands best tracks. I just close my eyes and pretend that they were all working together in harmony as a team to bring me a very special Yes album – yes, I have a very creative imagination when I flog it.)

Talk – 9 (Oh, it’s THIS Yes again. Okay . . . Again, loved this one before I realized that TR had wiped most of Squire’s Bass tracks. I miss CS’s trademark bass sound, but the album is great, especially the “Endless Dream” suite, and “Where will you be?.” But I really like “Walls,” “State of Play” and “Real Love” too)

Keys To Ascension (Studio Tracks considered only) – 6 (Jeez, rate an album based on only 30 mins. of material? So, what's THIS yes? Is it an ABWH album with a new bass player and drummer? I'm somewhat confused here. This stuff is a bit weak (for Yes, that is): “Be The One” seems to be an extended noodling jam, and “That, That Is” is a bit like a patchwork quilt (Well, it worked for "Abbey Road.")).

Keys To Ascension 2 (Same as above) – 7 (Although this is an improvement over KTA1, the songs are somewhat forgettable, even though well-played and well thought out (except for “Sign Language,” which seems more like improvisation than composition, and more like a duet than a band, and more like pleasant filler than album closer.

Open Your Eyes – 5 (Hey, get a load of the new guy – he thinks he’s Trevor Rabin (just compare OYE’s “No Way We Can Lose” with Union’s “Saving My Heart.”). And layering Jon’s vocal on top of a Squire/Sherwood song doesn’t make it Yes, does it? Well, now that I think about it, maybe it DOES. But seriously, this does sound like a band trying to imitate the Big Generator version of Yes (similar to when Starcastle tried to imitate the CttE Yes). I like the reworking of JA’s “Somehow Someday” (I think it was originally on Animation or Song of Seven).

The Ladder – 7 and a half – (In spite of “Can I” being a reworking of “We Have Heaven,” “Lightning Strikes” sounding like a self-parody, and “To Be Alive” sounding like an amped-up cover of a Ray Thomas song (is this simplicity, or what?), All of the songs work well in context. I don’t know what it is about this album that grates on me, though. Maybe they just seemed to be rehashing the same territory they’ve trod years ago. Not that that’s bad, it’s just not fresh, innovative, or cutting edge. And what precisely is Sherwood doing on this album? (I appreciate him being around just so the band will play some of the Rabin era stuff.) Maybe what they needed was another new band member. Just kidding, the new guy is a worthy replacement for whoever he’s replacing. I think.)

Magnification – 8 (Keyboardist schmeyboardist. Time and a Word was a good idea after all. There’s a lot of good stuff on this offering. Some of the songs are even ‘catchy.” I’m partial to “Can You Imagine” (Squire on lead vocals) and “We Agree.”

It’s funny watching the Classic-Yes camp verbally duke out the Rabin-Yes camp. My favorite Yes albums tend to be the more unpopular ones with the unpopular line-ups. Is it OK if I don’t dislike a particular line-up? Relayer (with Moraz), Drama (without Anderson), 90125 and Talk (Rabin), ABWH (without Squire) are among my favorites, but I like TYA, Fragile, CttE, TfTO and Magnification. So what’s the common denominator here? It seems that I’m both partial to Yes albums without Wakeman, and Yes albums that sport new band members. But, mentally, I’m more of a Squire and White fan. And I think that Squire’s, Anderson’s, Moraz’s and Wakeman’s debut solo albums were tremendous as well.

Pianozach

[yarstruly]

Very good post! I love your comments....Time for me to update the scores...To drunk to do so right now though ;)...I love being a teacher on vacation :D

[King Crimson]

Yes - 8
Time & A Word - 7,5
The Yes Album - 7,5
Fragile - 8
Close to the Edge - 10
Tales From Topographic Oceans - 10
Relayer - 9,5
Going For The One - 7
Tormato - 6
Drama - 2
90125 - 4,5
Big Generator - 4
Anderson, Bruford, Wakeman, Howe - 6
Union - 5
Talk - 4
Keys To Ascension (Studio Tracks considered only) - 5
Keys To Ascension 2 ( Same as above) - 5
Open Your Eyes - 3
The Ladder - 4
Magnification - 5

[Ryan]

yes-7
time and a word-6
TYA-8.5
fragile-9
CTTE-10
Tales from topographic oceans-8
Relayer-8
Going for the one-10
tormato-4
the ladder-7

these are all the studio albums i own

[Gabriel]

Now i've got Magnification I can rate it;

I'm giving it an 8; fantastic album but it needs more listens to fully appreciate. No doubt it'll reach 9 this time next week!

I think its almost as good as The Ladder..but not quite at the moment.

[brotherofmine]

Yes 4
Time & A Word 5
The Yes Album 8.5
Fragile 8
Close to the Edge 8.5
Tales From Topographic Oceans 6.5
Relayer 7.5
Going For The One 7
Tormato 5.5
Drama 4.5
90125 7
Big Generator 5
Anderson, Bruford, Wakeman, Howe 9.5
Union 9.35
Talk 5
Keys To Ascension (Studio Tracks considered only) 5
Keys To Ascension 2 ( Same as above) 5.5
Open Your Eyes 3
The Ladder 9
Magnification 8.75

[Stever]

Yes - 4
Time & A Word - 5
The Yes Album - 8
Fragile - 9
Close to the Edge - 10
Tales From Topographic Oceans - 8
Relayer - 10
Going For The One - 9
Tormato - 5
Drama - 8
90125 - 8
Big Generator - 9
Anderson, Bruford, Wakeman, Howe (not a Yes album) - 6
Union - 3
Talk - 9
Keys To Ascension (Studio Tracks considered only) - 6
Keys To Ascension 2 ( Same as above) - 7
Open Your Eyes - 5
The Ladder - 7
Magnification - 7

[jorgepelaez]

Yes = 6
Time & A Word = 6
The Yes Album = 10
Fragile = 9
Close to the Edge = 10
Tales From Topographic Oceans = 8
Relayer = 7
Going For The One = 8
Tormato = 8
Drama = 9
90125 = 8
Big Generator = 5
Anderson, Bruford, Wakeman, Howe = 8
Union = 9
Talk = 5
Keys To Ascension (Studio Tracks considered only) = 6
Keys To Ascension 2 ( Same as above) = 6
Open Your Eyes = 5
The Ladder = 6
Magnification = 5
CLOSE TO THE EDGE... NOTHING COULD EVER BE BETTER

[yarstruly]

OK at long last...the updated averages!

Yes: 5.905
Time & a Word: 6.156
The Yes Album: 8.6
Fragile: 8.819
Close to the Edge: 9.530
Tales From Topographic Oceans: 8.192
Relayer: 8.694
Going for the One: 8.788
Tormato: 6.224
Drama: 6.556
90125: 6.861
Big Generator: 5.788
ABWH: 6.788
Union: 4.967
Talk: 6.308
Keys to Ascension (Studio cuts):6.307
Keys to Ascension 2 (Studio Cuts):6.651
Open Your Eyes: 4.246
The Ladder: 6.84
Magnification: 7.095

These are complete through jorgepelaz....

[ken day]

Yes 6
Time & A W 6
Yes Alb 9
Close T T E 9
Fragile 8
Tales 10
Relayer 9
Going F T O 9
Tormato 8
Drama 7
90125 6
Big Gen 6
A B W H 8
Union 5
Talk 8
Keys 1 7
Keys 2 7
Open Y E 3
Ladder 8
Magnif 8

[mattquarterstein]

Aww, this just makes me want to get all the albums. There seems to be merit in all of them, at least for someone. I'm nearly there, mind you. Just a few more to get.

[Hector Gilbert]

In my collection in general, the average album I hear scores between a five and a six.

Yes - 6
Time & A Word - 6
The Yes Album - 8
Fragile - 8
Close to the Edge - 9
Tales From Topographic Oceans - 10
Relayer - 9
Going For The One - 8
Tormato - 7
Drama - 7
90125 - 7
Big Generator - 5
Anderson, Bruford, Wakeman, Howe - 5
Union - 4
Talk - 7
Keys To Ascension (Studio Tracks considered only) - 5
Keys To Ascension 2 ( Same as above) - 5
Open Your Eyes - 7
The Ladder - 9
Magnification - 9

[prem895]

I chose 11 for all of them,except for OYE-2 and TFTO-4

[Yes2Yes]

Yes= 7
Time & A Word = 8
The Yes Album =8.5
Fragile =9
Close to the Edge = 10
Tales From Topographic Oceans =8
Relayer= 9
Going For The One = 9
Tormato = 7
Drama=7
90125= 8.5
Big Generator=7
Anderson, Bruford, Wakeman, Howe= 8
Union =7
Talk= 7
Keys To Ascension (Studio Tracks considered only) =7.5
Keys To Ascension 2 ( Same as above) = 7
Open Your Eyes = 7
The Ladder = 7.5
Magnification = 7.5

[Steve St Thomas]

Yes= 6
Time & A Word = 10
The Yes Album =10
Fragile =8
Close to the Edge = 10
Tales From Topographic Oceans =7
Relayer= 10
Going For The One = 6
Tormato = 7
Drama=10
90125= 10
Big Generator= 8
Anderson, Bruford, Wakeman, Howe= 4
Union =4
Talk= 10
Keys To Ascension (Studio Tracks considered only) =5
Keys To Ascension 2 ( Same as above) = 6
Open Your Eyes = 5
The Ladder =5
Magnification = 7

[tempus_volatus]

I did a grading of each song and each album a couple of years ago and
posted the results on another Yes fan website in detail. I'll give the results
here without the details (there I listed the scores for the two best and
two worst songs on each album, and gave comments on overall quality).
But I should give a little preamble first: What I did was much more
serious than what's given here by others, and I it took weeks to do but was
very fun to do (because I had to listen to every album carefully in the
process of giving scores to each song). Most here tend to just quickly give
good scores to most albums. But I argue that one must first develop a
proper scale. My scale was thus: 0 = noise; 1 = dreadful; 2 = pretty bad;
3 = poor; 4 = so-so; 5 = fair/decent/OK; 6 = fairly good; 7 = pretty good;
8 = very good; 9 = excellent; 10 = superb. Being a mathematician, I
then scored each song and came up with an album score that was weighted
according to the length of each song: album grade = [Sigma(g*t)]/T,
where Sigma is the sum of all the songs on album, g is the grade of the
song and t its length in minutes, and T is the total length of the album in
minutes. I need to add that I'm an ardent Yes fan, placing them as third
all-time among the best rock musicians in terms of number of good songs,
longevity, etc. (the Beatle and Led Zeppelin being first and second, in my
opinion). But unlike those other two bands, Yes has produced an awful lot
of crap over the years, too -- and I think that the biggest reason for the
crap is Jon Anderson (sorry to those who think he's perfect) and his
sometimes lousy singing.

So, here's my list of album scores on a 1-10 scale (10 being best, as noted
above), but given to 0.01 because of the computation noted above:

8.19 Fragile
7.90 Going For the One
6.76 Yes Album
6.63 CTTE
6.27 Relayer
5.66 90125
5.08 Talk
4.87 Ladder
4.86 ABWH
4.65 Big Generator
3.80 Magnification
3.49 Drama
3.40 Yes
3.35 Union
3.31 Tormato
3.28 Time and A Word
3.13 Keystudio
2.62 Open Your Eyes
2.47 Tales from Topographic Oceans

For those of you surprised to see Tales so low, I'll make one exception
here and give the comments that I gave for this album when posting this
2 years ago: "has about 8 good instrumental minutes out of 80 total
minutes, but loses big-tme because of the tons of remaining rambling,
bad stuff".

- Jason