YES - Tormato (1978-2009) RM / SHM-CD / FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

The '70s model of Yes runs out of gas. Recorded in a morale slump and an impending haze of drink, Tormato's decent tunes are sabotaged by Rick Wakeman's increasing penchant for cheesy textures and the band's thin overall sound. "Don't Kill the Whale" was their last successful single for years; the soaring "Onward" almost but not quite redeems the twee silliness of "Arriving UFO" and "Circus of Heaven." Of special interest is the pounding "On the Silent Wings of Freedom," which pushes Chris Squire and Alan White to the front of the mix, establishing the kind of aggressive and straightforward rhythms that would propel the band through the '80s. Bass freaks, take note: this tune also marks one of the few appearances of the Dipthong pedal, accounting for Squire's distinctive "bow bow bow" sound. by Paul Collins

Tracklist:

1. Future Times / Rejoice (6:47)

a) Future Times (Anderson / Howe / Squire / Wakeman / White)

b) Rejoice (Anderson)

2. Don't Kill The Whale (Anderson / Squire) (3:58)

3. Madrigal (Anderson / Wakeman) (2:27)

4. Release, Release (Anderson / White / Squire) (5:49)

5. Arriving Ufo (Anderson / Howe / Wakeman) (6:09)

6. Circus Of Heaven (Anderson) (4:32)

7. Onward (Squire) (4:05)

8. On The Silent Wings Of Freedom (Anderson / Squire) (7:52)
Bonus Tracks

9. Abilene (Howe) (4:03)

10. Money (Squire / Anderson / White / Wakeman) (3:15)

11. Picasso (Anderson) (2:12)

12. Some Are Born (Anderson) (5:43)

13. You Can Be Saved (Squire) (4:20)

14. High (Howe) (4:30)

15. Days (demo) (Anderson) (1:00)

16. Countryside (Anderson / Howe / Squire / White) (3:12)

17. Everybody's Song (early demo of "Does It Really Happen?") (Anderson / Howe / Squire / White) (6:48)

18. Onward (orchestral backing track) (3:06)

Musicians:

Jon Anderson: lead vocals (all), Alvarez 10-string guitar (1a, 5, 8)

Steve Howe: guitars (1-5, 7, 8), electric & acoustic mandolin (6), vocals (1, 3-6)

Chris Squire: bass (1, 2, 4-8), bass pedals (1a, 3, 5), piano (2), vocals (all)

Rick Wakeman: Birotron (1, 2, 4-6, 8), Hammond organ (1, 4), Polymoog (1, 2, 4-8), RMI (8), harpsichord (3), piano (5)

Alan White: drums (1, 2, 4-6, 8), glockenspiel (1a), crotales (1a, 3, 6, 7), cymbals (3), bell tree (3), gongs (5), vibraphone (7), percussion (4), drum synthesizer (5), vocals (4)

Damion Anderson: vocals (6)