Yes - Tormato

Yes, It Is! No, It Isn't!

The inner-turmoil of the band played itself out on this September 1978 release, which found its way into album cut-out bins within a year, though it peaked at #10 on the U.S. album chart.

It was the last studio album for a number of years for Jon Anderson and Rick Wakeman, with the feuds getting to the point where band members would have individual limousine service while on tour and most dialogue was confined to on-stage banter with the audience.

The highlight of the eight numbers is Don't Kill the Whale - which was issued as a single - a hard-edged piece that clicks with Anderson's searing vocal. Included in the bonus tracks is the B-side to the single, Abilene. The majority of the extra material was eventually re-worked for release on other projects.

The inclusion of additional tracks nearly doubles the 41:35 running time of the original album. While far from the best the group has to offer, Rhino has done an excellent job in making it an interesting remastered CD. August 12, 2008

Yes - And Now For Something Completely Different......

Talk about a 360. After doing 4 albums in a row with songs in the 15 to 20 minute range being the average, Yes went the other direction with "Tormato". The longest track on the disc is a little over 7 minutes with most of the rest of the album being in the four to five minute range. Some Yes fans wrote the band off completely as selling out. This is definitely a transitional album for the band where they deliberately tried to change up their sound and style in an attempt to remain relevant. The result was an album that careens between some really good songs and several "what the hell were they thinking" moments. The good songs include "Future Times / Rejoice", "Madrigal", "Release Release", "Onward" and "On The Silent Wings Of Freedom". These are all very nice tracks and although shorter than what Yes fans may have come to expect make the album worth owning. On the other hand songs like "Don't Kill The Whale", "Arriving UFO", and "Circus Of Heaven" are cringe inducing in spots. The up and down nature of this album is pretty amazing really when you compare it to the discs that came before it. In the end I think this is one of the band's weaker efforts, but is still worth owning for the good stuff on it. July 31, 2008

Album as a Compass.....

as a whole, Tormato is pretty awful. However when you break it apart, it's an interesting listen to look back on, because it clearly delineates where the band's factions were headed. by 1978, classic prog had become either repetitive or just plain bad, and bands that could evolve would survive(such as Rush and Genesis). on Tormato there is an obvious attempt to update the Yes sound, clashing with an attempt to remain static.

The best aspect of Tormato is the combo of Chris Squire and Alan White, whose energy and imagination reflect the changing scene. Most of their contributions, particularly "Release, Release" and "...Silent Wings..." contain the rock aspects of early New Wave and straight Rock, while retaining Prog musicianship. They are clearly moving in that direction, leading to their 80s success.

the worst of Tormato comes from the combo of Jon Anderson and Rick Wakeman; they are clearly stuck in 1974. As an example, i give you "Madrigal", the only song not to include Squire and White. Wakeman, whose techically brilliant playing usually makes up for his soul-less compositions, offers the same stale ideas he'd played throughout the 70s. His choice of harpsichord underscores his complete reliance on his baroque/classical style, and his interjections throughout the more grooving tunes are absolutely out of place.

this album marks the start of Anderson's decline as a lyricist. the formless ramblings of "Madrigal" are again out of place with the scene, and much more suited to his solo "Olias of Sunhillow"(if you think i just hate Anderson, i thought "Olias" is a great New Age album). he had not yet reached the point of constantly singing about the universe, love, and the powers of imagination, but his lyrics here are pretty unbearable. listening to subsequent solo albums of Anderson and Wakeman, you really don't see much positive evolution.

Steve Howe's playing is a mixed bag. "Release Release" has great Police-like rhythm, while "Silent Wings" and "Don't Kill the Whale" have some nice fills. "Future Times" features some of his most unpleasant playing, particularly during the verses. His choice of guitar sound on "Onward" just plain sucks; listen to the live "Keys to Ascension" version for wonderful warmer version.

by 1980, classic Prog was long gone. Rush had "Permanent Waves", Genesis had "Duke", ELP and KC were dead. free of Anderson and Wakeman, the remaining Yes-men were prepared to offer a fresh sound, starting with the fantastic "Drama" album, and running through the Trevor Rabin era(don't bitch, purists, they weren't supposed to be Yes at that point...record company decision), with Howe finding huge success with Asia. Anderson did his New Age thing on and off, and Wakeman continued to be brilliant yet boring.

to remain successful, bands must evolve...Tormato was a vital, albeit ugly, step in the right direction.

April 11, 2008

fantastic

A gigantic mystery to me is why I love the Tormato album. I'm not a Yes fan, and not really a fan of Anderson's vocals either. Yet somehow, none of that matters when the guitar playing is consistently tasty and the melodies are memorable. That's the case with this album. I can't think of a weak song here, and that's really something considering I always thought Yes was a pretty spotty band throughout their career. Pick this album up, listen to it, and keep it. June 4, 2007

Yes second best album.

This album is the most overlooked and underated of all Yes albums , it is my second fav after Going For the One . Long may Tormato and it's positive vibe be cherished and discovered by music lovers. Great tunes abound . Rejoice ! May 26, 2007

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