#45 in US (Aug 70)
No singles off this one.
Time and a Word,
Yes,
released in July, 1970 (UK) and on November 2, 1970 (US).
ELPfan 09's rating: 8/10
  1. No Opportunity Necessary, No Experience Needed
  2. Then
  3. Everydays
  4. Sweet Dreams
  5. The Prophet
  6. Clear Days
  7. Astral Teaveller
  8. Time and a Word

Current Band Members:
Jon Anderson
Vocals
Peter Banks
Guitar
Bill Bruford
Drums
Tony Kaye
Keyboards
Chris Squire
Bass

*Note: By the time the cover of the album was taken, Banks had already left, and newcomer Steve Howe is used instead. He is the one in the back row, far right, next to Bruford, center, and Squire, left. Directly in front of them is Kaye, and Anderson is in the foreground.

The second Yes album begins with the song "No Opportunity Necessary, No Experience Required," written by Richie Havens. It features the band with an orchestra, which is used many times throughout the ablum. This orchestrail sound helps to break bands like Yes, ELP, the Moody Blues, etc. away from the standard rock sound of the time. The strings are used effectively in this song.
"Then," written by Anderson, also has strings and used them in a polyphonic manner that really works well. The lyrics also are typial of Anderson, being pro-love and peace. A Steven Stills song, "Everydays," also uses the orchestra as a question and answer during Bank's guitar solo, which also quotes that Bach song I can never remember the name of. "Sweet Dreams," written by Anderson and David Foster, doesn't have the strings, but the organ-led song still holds up.
"The Prophet," by Anderson and Squire, really foreshadows the prog-rock songs to come from the band. The instrumental introduction is typical of Yes later songs, and the constant organ is also characteristic. The strings return in this piece and add much depth to the piece. Anderson's "Clear Days" is the album's ballad and uses the strings nicely as a background. "Astral Traveller" is another Anderson piece that also foreshadows the prog songs of later albums. "Time and a Word" is my favorite song on the album. Again written by Anderson and Foster, the use of accoustic guitar and strings at the end just works in every way. The lyrics are very good as well. The canon-esque ending is just great.

© 2001 elpfan09@hotmail.com

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