Your Fav Magnification song

[1yesfan]

OK, time to your vote for Fav song from Magn. Please note that you CAN come back and change your vote as you listen to the album and the songs start hitting you! Sorry no Choose Multi Selections on this poll. Got to pick ONE!

[Yesspaz]

Dreamtine, with Spirit of Survival a tight second.

[ANTIOCH]

"Dreamtime" was the 1st song that grabbed me but having listened to the work a half.dozen times, I
have moved to "Give Love Each Day". The orchestration and ending chorus just kill me!

[1yesfan]

I agree ANTIOCH, the opening Orch part and the last several minutes are KILLER!

[YESOUL]

IN THE PRESENCE OF, SOUNDS LIKE IT COULD HAVE COME RIGHT OFF RELAYER,IT'S THE BEST SONG YES HAS DONE IN 25 YEARS,STEVE'S PEDAL GUITAR GIVES ME THAT WARM TINGLING ONENESS FEELING AND IT WAS GREAT IN CONCERT.2ND PLACE WOULD BE CAN YOU IMAGINE. IT'S REFRESHING TO HEAR CHRIS ON LEAD VOCALS AND WHAT A PRETTY CHORUS TOO BAD IT'S NOT LONGER. I THOUGHT THEY SHOULD HAVE EXTENDED THAT INTO A CLASSIC YES JAM.

[charl8e]

Yes Soul, you are SOOOO right... much of this album could actually pass for classic YES and would certainly not be out of place on GFTO... but ITPO would not only grace Relayer, you could sit it right next to AYAI or HOTS and it would hold its own... a triumph!

[charl8e]

an old-fashioned LP, with ITPO and Can You Imagine (extended to 8 mins) on one side, and on the other, Magnification, Don't Go, Give Love Each Day, We Agree, and Time Is Time... oh gee, we YES fans, always complaining!

[Keith Perks]

Having been listening to the CD for few months, i still go with my original selction of the best tracks
1) Give Love Each Day
2) In The Presence Of
3) Dreamtime

Although i also have to mention Can You Imagine, i just love the vocal mix.

[Mind Drive]

I go with In The Presence Of but I have to say this is the toughest choice I have had on a Yes CD in years. I absolutly love the entire cd and rank it in Yes' Top 5 of all time. It is a mature artistic statement that sets itself completly apart from the early seventies music.

Top 3-
In The Presence Of
Spirit of Survival
Can You Imagine

[raz]

For me it has to be Soft as a Dove...... i sing this to my little girl (she's only 16 months you know).
I also like Time is Time..... melts the heart....

However, it is a really beautiful album.

[Winston TK]

Straight. Simple. Quaint.

The perfect capper to a truly brilliant album.

--Winston TK

[ronw]

I have to go with the majority on this one, GLED is just slightly ahead of the rest.

[Robert Shupe]

I voted Dreamtime but I assure you Give Love Each Day was nipping at the heels. I felt there was almost an epic feel to Dreamtime. It can be hard at times to desribe why a sound or song strikes one as it does but this one stays and even resonates in my head.

Perchance we have forgotten how to dream?

Robert Shupe

[Devotee]

I voted for Dreamtime for several reasons. It is quintessential Yes along the lines of Siberian Khatru or Going for the One. I love the use of the symphony all the way through - the end jam is awesome, and would be fun live ; and then who else would feature a bassoon solo!

Give Love Each Day is so powerful, and so is In the Presense Of. I like Don't Go, I think it's fun, great warm up song...

Can You Imagine is great. I like it just the way it is. Layers. Like an onion ya know.

[Original_Shifty]

By no means am I bad-mouthing Spirit Of Survival, but doesn't the opening sound as if it should be used to do the opening chase scene of a James Bond movie?

I love it for just that reason, full of energy!

[WhiteKnight]

The sequence DT->itPo->TiT is great. To me, DT feels like a perfect album ending. But it is even more enjoyable to have *more* when you "feel" the album is over. Here comes another perfect ending (itPo). After two epic endings, it is so nice to have another quick, sweet ending. Reminds me of Abbey Road (the symphonic final section, followed by "in the end", and then "her majesty").

[Flo]

My favourite song from Magnification is definitely Dreamtime. I especially like its soaring intro which leads to Jon's clear vocals. My second favourite would be Can you imagine as I really appreciate the vocal harmonies with Chris Squire. They remind me of the good old times of Yes. But all Mag song have their good moments. Haven't they ?

[Yes Oz]

It still hasn't been released in Oz as yet but I've been giving my imported copy a bit of a trashing over the last three days.

My Best would be "Give love each Day" followed very closely by We Agree. Although after only 20 odd listening I love them all except maybe for Time is Time and Soft as a Dove. I never thought I'd here myself saying this but I think Jon's vocals on these tracks is a tad weak.

[fbmac]

This may be the the YES song that gets a standing O before they are even done playing it. When they hit the refrain at the end I think people will lose it!

"Our heaven will be now.....Give love each day"

Unreal.

Thank you Jon! Thank you Alan, Thank you Chris! Thank you Steve!

Fran the YES fan

[RobAdams]

Been listening to MAGNIFICATION at least 5 or 6 times a week since I bought it in December 2001. The entire CD flows nicely. Even DON'T GO has endeared itself to me, which I didn't expect when I first heard it. SOFT AS A DOVE was my least favorite MAG tune, but I've learned to enjoy that as well. It's the track that provides a needed contrast away from the heavy orchestration of the other tracks. TIME IS TIME is the only one that I haven't fully embraced yet. It's okay, but not very intriguing to my ears.

Still, I see the whole album as one complete work in which every song compliments the next. TIME IS TIME is the only exception here for me. It seems like it belongs somewhere, but not at the end of this album. I think it would have been better right after SOFT AS A DOVE. As a general rule, I don't much like a short song to end an album...

[Flo]

I have been listening to Magnification since mid November. I still like it, even better than before. Some songs I didn't mind at first seem very good to me now (Magnification and Soft as a dove) but as you say, Time is time is the only problem. I don't find it very interesting, it's got nothing special, very, very average. Doesn't deserve the status of Yes song.

[bataisflow]

Think of Time is Time as the Coda for the whole album. It ends the Album perfectly. I think this was their vision.

Originally posted by fbmac
This may be the the YES song that gets a standing O before they are even done playing it. When they hit the refrain at the end I think people will lose it!

"Our heaven will be now.....Give love each day"

Unreal.

Thank you Jon! Thank you Alan, Thank you Chris! Thank you Steve!

Fran the YES fan

Yes Fran the Yes fan. I'm in your camp here. I love that song. And Flo, I love Time is Time too and i-and-i, I love Soft as a Dove. I can't imagine anyone not loving those songs.

And Fran, I see that has been your first and only post. You must come back and visit us! A belated welcome to the site.

[brotherofmine]

My favourite on Mag. is Give Love Each Day..call me an old romantic if you like. But beautifuil orchestral opening with the heart opening lyrics ...heaven...or should I say..Our Heaven Will Be Now!

[Stever]

Alright...what's the deal?

[umgekehrt]

Yo, somebody's being obsessed with Mag here. Three Mag polls in a row!

[1097]

Dreamtime...looks like the Klev created a tie! Keep voting. (And my signature is a nother Mag song for which I didn't vote...)

I would have voted for "Spirit of Survival," but I'm waiting for the "Which Yes Song Should be a James Bond Theme" poll to vote for that one...

Ciao.

Alan K
Newton, MA

_________________________

"Perpetuate this song of Love"

[Braniff92]

Had to go with "In The Presence Of". Just a beautiful song. Al.

[buckleyfancy]

In The Presence of and the title track are both VERY strong songs. The first time I heard ITPO was at my first show of the 2002 tour, and it blew me away. I bought the album the next day.

[Gabriel]

Magnification has grown on me alot lately although my choice of favourite song hasnt changed; its still In The Presence Of. Can You Imagine is also a great song, despite how short it is.

[relayer_1]

In The Presence of was my vote. The intro by Alan White is very suttle and it was greatly improved by Rick Wakeman during the "Classic Yes VH-1" tour of summer 2002. It is a shame it was removed from the set list for this year's Anniversary tour and actually how can it be called that way if they did not perform any songs from TFTO, Relayer, Magnification or The Ladder?? Take it from Rush, they played on the R30 show material way back from 2112 up to Vapor Trails and Feedback as a bonus, THAT can be labeled an Anniversary set List, without question.

relayer

[tardistraveler]

ITPO for me - moves me to tears every time.

[Bluetailfly]

Well I am sure I voted for this album on another thread and my first pick was the title track. Can't argue with ITPO as it is outstanding and really grew into a performance piece over the three years they performed it. Today I voted for Dreamtime, becuase it has been my hope that they might try to tackle this one live. I have it on a mix tape of Yes material and so have been listening to it more. In all honesty, I really like this album and find all of the songs but one or two worthy of praise.

[Simon B]

What a surprise - Mass has voted with the Masses!!

[Roan's Lady]

In the Presence Of, hands down!
This song is a stand-out from the rest of the album, which is lukewarm in my opinion.
Some of the other songs (particularly, We Agree and Dreamtime) are decent, but none give me that old Yes-rush like ItPO. Great live, too!

[Simon B]

In the Presence Of, hands down!
This song is a stand-out from the rest of the album, which is lukewarm in my opinion.
Some of the other songs (particularly, We Agree and Dreamtime) are decent, but none give me that old Yes-rush like ItPO. Great live, too!

LUKEWARM? - Man fill me a bath, hot enough for the Mass!

[Roan's Lady]

LUKEWARM? - Man fill me a bath, hot enough for the Mass!

Sorry, Mister Mass, it's ITPO IMHO, which saves this album.
Now throw on anything from Fragile through GFTO, and there you have albums of perfection.
Yeah, yeah, I'm one-a those! ;)

[Simon B]

Sorry, Mister Mass, it's ITPO IMHO, which saves this album.
Now throw on anything from Fragile through GFTO, and there you have albums of perfection.
Yeah, yeah, I'm one-a those! ;)

No problem - I like Yesfans with opinions it makes life more interesting. Yes I voted for ITPO but Magnification Rocks, Soft as a Dove is well, like a bird called a Dove that is soft, Time is Time is very Fragilesque - you could slot it before We Have Heaven and no one would bat an eye? I could go on, but I'm beginning to sound like I like Magnification more tha Fragile to GFTO - WHICH I DON'T!

Note to self: When given the choice of 3 yes albums to take onto a desert island, DON'T say magnification - Oooo, I may have just thought of a new thread 'Desert Island Yes discs!!'

[brotherofmine]

Well I have probably said this already on this thread already..back in the dinosaur age....but for me imvho it's Give Love Each Day...switches my heart on to ..'alive'! But would say ITPO would be my second choice.

[flep]

I love Give Love Each Day. The backing vocals are great.

I am right in thinking it's Alan that does them as it doesn't sound like Chris or Steve to my non musically trained ear. If not I sit corrected.

[justyes]

Dreamtime. It was a hard choice but Dreamtime. All of the songs are great.

[Bluetailfly]

Dreamtime would have been a great song for them to have done on the Symphonic tour.

[rememberer]

A lot of good songs on there really, but I voted for "Can You Imagine"... Great song, and I think it would have been right at home on Fish Out Of Water. It does me lots of good to think there is more where FOOW came from...

[rabinmovies]

There are some good tracks on magnification but i would have to say my favourite is In the presence of. The worst has got to be Time is time

[Bluetailfly]

There are some good tracks on magnification but i would have to say my favourite is In the presence of. The worst has got to be Time is time
I really love Time Is Time. Very Beatlish, with a nod to their roots and a link to the past ala Time And A Word. I thought the rendition they did on tour was real cool too.

[allpurechance]

...I really thought I had replied to this thread(& probably somewhere else here I have,LOL!).However,I must agree with all those who are speaking of the album as one complete statement,which is what it is,and beautifully so at that.This being said,I find I dislike nothing on the album when listened to in that way,although In The Presence Of & Give Love Each Day(&,&,&...!...) do the trick for me really well,really well.Ultimately,though,the final,what is it?...2 minutes & 10 seconds or so?...mmm,yeah-Time Is Time caps the album off so sadly/sweetly.I really wish the (listening?) public responded to this album a little more,Jon's disappointment with sales being what it is.The work that went into this album is obvious to anyone who listens closely.For Yesfans it is such a treat!We have another classic!Vocally,Magnification is,in one man's humble opinion,the best Yes album since the mid 70's.And Steve!Almost hidden in the mix upon the 1st few listens,once you find Steve,that's it,you're done,it's another classic Yes album!

[crotale2112]

I Like To Take A Shower When I Listen To Magnifieation.i Always Use Lots Of Mr. Bubble.

[Hill St.]

Flat out, this is a great album!I chose "Spirit" but could've easily,chosen ITPO or Time Is Time.

[allgoodyes]

Every song on Magnification is enjoyable. My favourite song is "In The Presence Of", followed closely by "Can You Imagine" and "Give Love Each Day".

[Skyward]

"Dreamtime" is a truly dynamic number encompassing all sides of YES. ITPO is a wonderful piece and I have to admit I rather enjoy knowing that Alan, the much overlooked member of the band, is responsible for that strikingly beautiful intro ( and lord knows what else ). "Spirit of Survival" is unquestionably thunderously appealing beyond a doubt. However, "Don't Go" strikes me a top-40 grab, a bit circus-like in overall sound, though I have honestly tried to let it grow on me.

"Dreamtime" it is!

[franknet]

We Agree
I love this song....
I like the rest of the album also
But this is the only one from MAG. that has made it on to compilation cds
I put together for traveling

Great song

[TRUEYOUTRUEME]

I had to vote for

Dont Go

It is really probally my least favorite on the album but I still love it sooo much.

It talks to me.

[Paul D]

Time Is Time...very George Harrison/Traveling Wilburys. The version on Yes Acoustic is excellent as well. In The Presence Of is a close second.

[rememberer]

I'm glad to see any reference to the Beatles and Yes' Beatles roots in this thead. I think making those comparisons with Magnification helps me put it and most of Yes' career in better perspective. A prog band that sold out and went pop, is one thing. A pop band that did some prog masterpieces along the way is another thing.

The Beatles could put When I'm Sixty Four on the same album as sitar stuff, and Rocky Raccoon on the same album with Helter Skelter. When you have influences like that, anything seems like fair game really, and I think some of my favorite stuff Jon has done lately shows that influence particularly clearly, like Time Is Time and Don't Think Twice. But what's kind of odd is that even when the Beatles did stuff like Blue Jay Way and Tomorrow Never Knows, I still think they're a pop band, and when Yes does 90125, I still think they're a prog band. Maybe those labels aren't always helpful.

Looking back at Yes' roots probably helps, I think that's what I need to best appreciate Yes over their career is broader expectations rather than narrower ones.

[luckeydoug1]

Magnification and Deamtime are darn good songs, but In The Presence Of is the greatest song here. Probably the best Yes song since Talk.

[BrianD]

I was pleased that Jon mentioned doing Give Love Each Day when he tours next year - one of my favourite tracks on this album.

[Joe]

This is a hard one Brian. I kind of hear the whole
CD as one song, except for "Time Is Time". That's
like from left field. It's a good song, but IMHO, it
doesn't mix into the blend of "Magnification".

(One of my fav CD's to date)

[yes_angel]

We Agree is my pick for now

[Dema]

Really hard choice... at last I had to choose Magnification!!!

[relayeire]

title song, with Dreamtime a close second... folks, ITPO is good, but it's way under-developed for a Yes song...

[RickyG]

Speaking of Beatles influences on this album... the ending of the title song is of course an unabashed reference of the ending of A Day In The Life. And they repeat that big last chord thing at the end of In The Presence Of too.

By the way, I chose "Magnification" as my favorite song on the album. But Dreamtime, ITPO, We Agree, all have sections that are just as great. Time Is Time is a great short-form YES song.

The lyrics on Magnification win my award for the best Jon lyrics since the 70's.

[pedro skychaser]

agree ricky g(nice website by the way-will listen to clips on weekend)..mag's lyrics+feel is great ,the opening vocals really draw you in,so enigmatic,what demons?so warm ,bill martin *was reduced to tears on hearing this...then song lifts off,soaring hovian guitar(though he was crabby with jon as he had to lose some complex jazzier passages for the more simpler chorus but it works i think-but jon is a dictator!!!)

*author of analytical book on YES,threatening another,cmon professor!!!

[Seasoned Witch]

I haven't listened to this one in a long time. I didn't really like the album when it first came out, but I think it's due for another listen. I used to skip over every song except "Time is Time." It's got the same soothing quality as "Nine Voices."

[YESOLA]

In the Presence of, then Can you imagine

[Purple Wolfhound]

Give Love Each Day

[CaffieneMan]

what a great album, but my choice has to be 'In the Presence Of'

[rmig68]

The title track, "Magnification" and "Can You Imagine?" Don't care much for the rest of the album but I do like "We Agree". Wow, that song always reminds me of 9/11. Strangely enough, the original release date for the album was 9/11/2001.

How many know that?

I should love "In the Presence of," but I don't like the lyrical and tempo break about 2/3 of the way in. For me, unfortunately, if I don't like a fairly significant part of one of their epics, it ruins the entire song. The moody, atmospheric music and pedal steel is pretty good though.

[somissound]

Magnification, Give Love Each Day, and In The Presence Of are all Yes Classics in my book! The rest of the album is good too...

Cant wait to hear their next creation!

[Dantalion Rides Again]

I listened to this whole album today. "Dreamtime" might still be my favorite. I love the whole album though. It's the kind of album that makes me not want to choose, because I enjoy the sum more than the parts.

[Robert Shupe]

What a nice resurrected Thread. 2001 seems so long ago.

I still vote for Dreamtime for number one.
My latest number two is In The Presence Of.
My latest number three is Magnification.
I remeber how exciting this was. New album. New tour. Searching for all three versions. Talking to the artist here on the site.

I'd take a new album to experience those feelings again.

Shuperman

[Steve Mahoney]

In The Presence Of.

I feel this is the Best Yes track outside the Classic Yes lineup.This song can move you to tears.
It is just stunning.

Steve

[JL]

Today it's Dreamtime. On a different day it could be Magnification or In The Presence Of.