GRAND FUNK - We're an American Band (1973-2014) RM / SHM-CD / FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Having made several changes in their business and musical efforts in 1972, Grand Funk Railroad made even more extensive ones in 1973, beginning with their name, which was officially truncated to "Grand Funk." And keyboardist Craig Frost, credited as a sideman on Phoenix, the previous album, was now a full-fledged bandmember, filling out the musical arrangements. The most notable change, however, came with the hiring of Todd Rundgren to produce the band's eighth album. Rundgren, a pop/rock artist in his own right, was also known for his producing abilities, and he gave Grand Funk exactly what they were looking for: We're an American Band sounded nothing like its muddy, plodding predecessors. Sonically, the record was sharp and detailed and the band's playing was far tighter and more accomplished. Most important, someone, whether the band or Rundgren, decided that gruff-voiced drummer Don Brewer should be employed as a lead singer as often as guitarist Mark Farner. Brewer also contributed more as a songwriter, and the results were immediate. The album's title song, an autobiographical account of life on the road written and sung by Brewer, was released in advance of the album and became a gold-selling number one hit, Grand Funk's first really successful single. Despite the band's previous popularity, for many, it must have been the first Grand Funk record they either heard or bought. Elsewhere on the album, Farner contributed his usual wailing vocals and guitar, singing of his heartfelt, if simpleminded, political concerns. But We're an American Band really belonged to Brewer and Rundgren, and its success constituted a redefinition of Grand Funk that came just in time. by William Ruhlmann  
Tracklist:
1 We're An American Band 3:25
Written-By – Don Brewer
2 Stop Lookin' Back 4:51
Written-By – Don Brewer, Mark Farner
3 Creepin' 7:01
Written-By – Mark Farner
4 Black Licorice 4:43
Written-By – Don Brewer, Mark Farner
5 The Railroad 6:07
Written-By – Mark Farner
6 Ain't Got Nobody 4:19
Written-By – Don Brewer, Mark Farner
7 Walk Like A Man 4:03
Written-By – Don Brewer, Mark Farner
8 Loneliest Rider 5:19
Written-By – Mark Farner
Credits:
Bass – Mel Schacher
Organ, Synthesizer [Moog], Electric Piano, Clavinet – Craig Frost
Vocals, Drums, Percussion – Don Brewer
Vocals, Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Congas, Electric Piano – Mark Farner

YES - The Yes Album (1971-2009) RM / SHM-CD / FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

On Yes' first two albums, Yes (1969) and Time and a Word (1970), the quintet was mostly searching for a sound on which they could build, losing one of their original members – guitarist Peter Banks – in the process. Their third time out proved the charm – The Yes Album constituted a de facto second debut, introducing the sound that would carry them forward across the next decade or more. Gone are any covers of outside material, the group now working off of its own music from the ground up. A lot of the new material was actually simpler – in linear structure, at least – than some of what had appeared on their previous albums, but the internal dynamics of their playing had also altered radically, and much of the empty space that had been present in their earlier recordings was also filled up here – suddenly, between new member Steve Howe's odd mix of country- and folk-based progressive guitar and the suddenly liberated bass work and drumming of Chris Squire and Bill Bruford, respectively, the group's music became extremely busy. And lead singer Jon Anderson, supported by Squire and Howe, filled whatever was left almost to overflowing. Anderson's soaring falsetto and the accompanying harmonies, attached to haunting melodies drawn from folk tunes as often as rock, applied to words seemingly derived from science fiction, and all delivered with the bravura of an operatic performance – by the band as well as the singer – proved a compelling mix. What's more, despite the busy-ness of their new sound, the group wasn't afraid to prove that less could sometimes be more: three of the high points were the acoustic-driven "Your Move" and "The Clap" (a superb showcase for Howe on solo acoustic guitar), and the relatively low-key "A Venture" (oddly enough, the latter was the one cut here that didn't last in the group's repertory; most of the rest, despite the competition from their subsequent work, remained in their concert set for years to come). The Yes Album did what it had to do, outselling the group's first two long-players and making the group an established presence in America where, for the first time, they began getting regular exposure on FM radio. Sad to say, the only aspect of The Yes Album that didn't last much longer was Tony Kaye on keyboards: his Hammond organ holds its own in the group's newly energized sound, and is augmented by piano and other instruments when needed, but he resisted the idea of adding the Moog synthesizer, that hot instrument of the moment, to his repertory. The band was looking for a bolder sound than the Hammond could generate, and after some initial rehearsals of material that ended up on their next album, he was dropped from the lineup, to be replaced by Rick Wakeman. by Bruce Eder  

Tracklist:

1. Yours Is No Disgrace (Anderson / Squire / Howe / Kaye / Bruford) 9:41

2. Clap (Howe) 3:17

3. Starship Trooper (music: Anderson / Squire / Howe; lyrics: Anderson / Squire) 9:29

a) Life Seeker (Anderson)

b) Disillusion (Squire)

c) Wurm (Howe)

4. I've Seen All Good People 6:57

a) Your Move (Anderson)

b) All Good People (Squire)

5. A Venture (Anderson) 3:19

6. Perpetual Change (Anderson / Squire) 8:58
Bonus Tracks

7. Your Move (single version) (Anderson) (2:59)

8. Starship Trooper: Life Seeker (single version) (Anderson) (3:28)

9. Clap (studio version) (Howe) (4:02)

Musicians:

Jon Anderson: Vocals, Percussion

Chris Squire: Bass Guitars, Vocals

Steve Howe: Electric & Acoustic Guitars, Vachalia, Vocals

Tony Kaye: Piano, Organ, Moog

Bill Bruford: Drums, Percussion

YES - Fragile (1971-2019) UHQCD / FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Fragile was Yes' breakthrough album, propelling them in a matter of weeks from a cult act to an international phenomenon; not coincidentally, it also marked the point where all of the elements of the music (and more) that would define their success for more than a decade fell into place fully formed. The science-fiction and fantasy elements that had driven the more successful songs on their preceding record, The Yes Album, were pushed much harder here, and not just in the music but in the packaging of the album: the Roger Dean-designed cover was itself a fascinating creation that seemed to relate to the music and drew the purchaser's attention in a manner that few records since the heyday of the psychedelic era could match. Having thrown original keyboard player Tony Kaye overboard early in the sessions -- principally over his refusal to accept the need for the Moog synthesizer in lieu of his preferred Hammond organ -- the band welcomed Rick Wakeman into its ranks. His use of the Moog, among other instruments, coupled with an overall bolder and more aggressive style of playing, opened the way for a harder, hotter sound by the group as a whole; bassist Chris Squire sounds like he's got his amp turned up to "12," and Steve Howe's electric guitars are not far behind, although the group also displayed subtlety where it was needed. The opening minute of "Roundabout," the album opener -- and the basis for the edited single that would reach number 13 on the Billboard charts and get the group onto AM radio in a way that most other prog rock outfits could only look upon with envy -- was dominated by Howe's acoustic guitar and Bill Bruford's drums, and only in the middle section did the band show some of what they could do with serious amperage. Elsewhere on the record, as on "South Side of the Sky," they would sound as though they were ready to leave the ground (and the planet), between the volume and intensity of their playing. "Long Distance Runaround," which also served as the B-side of the single, was probably the most accessible track here apart from "Roundabout," but they were both ambitious enough to carry most listeners on to the heavier sides at the core of this long-player. The solo tracks by the members were actually a necessity: they needed to get Fragile out in a hurry to cover the cost of the keyboards that Wakeman had added to the group's sonic arsenal. But they ended up being more than filler. Each member, in effect, took a "bow" in mostly fairly serious settings, and Squire's "The Fish" and Howe's "Mood for a Day" pointed directly to future, more substantial projects as well as taking on a life of their own on-stage. If not exactly their peak, Fragile was as perfect a rQ2ecord as the group would ever make, and just as flawless in its timing as its content. by Bruce Eder  

Tracklist:

1. Roundabout (Anderson / Howe) (8:36)

2. Cans And Brahms (Extracts From Brahms' 4th Symphony in E minor Third Movement) (Brahms, arr. Wakeman) (1:43)

3. We Have Heaven (Anderson) (1:40)

4. South Side of the Sky (Anderson / Squire) (7:58)

5. Five Per Cent for Nothing (Bruford) (0:38)

6. Long Distance Runaround (Anderson) (3:30)

7. the fish (Schindleria Praematurus) (Squire) (2:42)

8. Mood For A Day (Howe) (3:03)

9. Heart Of The Sunrise (Anderson / Squire / Bruford) (11:27)

Musicians:

Jon Anderson: Vocals

Bill Bruford: Drums, Percussion

Steve Howe: Electric and Acoustic Guitars, Vocals

Chris Squire: Bass Guitars, Vocals

Rick Wakeman: Organ, Grand Piano (Electric Piano and Harpsichord), Mellotron, Synthesizer

YES - Drama (1980-2009) RM / SHM-CD / FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

For this one album, ex-Buggles Geoffrey Downes and Trevor Horn were drafted in to replace Jon Anderson and Rick Wakeman. It rocks harder than other Yes albums, and for classically inclined fans, it was a jarring departure; but it was a harbinger of Yes and Asia albums to come. A newly emboldened Chris Squire lays down aggressive rhythms with Alan White, and Steve Howe eschews his usual acoustic rags and flamenco licks for a more metallic approach, opting for sheets of electric sound. Prime cuts include the doom-laden "Machine Messiah" and the manic ska inflections of "Tempus Fugit." Despite the promise of this new material, the band soon fell apart; Horn went into production, Howe and Downes joined Asia, and Squire and White toyed and then gave up on a pair-up with Robert Plant and Jimmy Page, which was to be titled XYZ (i.e., Ex-Yes and Zeppelin). by Paul Collins

Tracklist:

1. Machine Messiah (Downes / Horn / Howe / Squire / White) (10:28)

Part I

Part II

Part III

2. White Car (Downes / Horn / Howe / Squire / White) (1:21)

3. Does It Really Happen? (Downes / Horn / Howe / Squire / White) (6:36)

4. Into The Lens (Downes / Horn / Howe / Squire / White) (8:32)

5. Run Through The Light (Downes / Horn / Howe / Squire / White) (4:43)

6. Tempus Fugit (Downes / Horn / Howe / Squire / White) (5:22)12
Bonus Tracks

7. Into The Lens (I Am a Camera) (Single Version) (Downes / Horn / Howe / Squire / White) (3:48)

8. Run Through The Light (Single Version) (Downes / Horn / Howe / Squire / White) (4:31)

9. Have We Really Got To Go Through This (Howe / Squire / White) (3:43)

10. Song No. 4 (Satellite) (Howe / Squire / White) (7:32)

11. Tempus Fugit (Tracking Session) (Downes / Horn / Howe / Squire / White) (5:40)

12. White Car (Tracking Session) (Downes / Horn / Howe / Squire / White) (1:11)

13. Dancing Through The Light (Anderson / Howe / Squire / Wakeman / White) (3:17)

14. Golden Age (Anderson / Howe / Squire / Wakeman / White) (5:58)

15. In The Tower (Anderson / Howe / Squire / Wakeman / White) (2:55)

16. Friend Of A Friend (Anderson / Howe / Squire / Wakeman / White) (3:38)

Musicians:

Geoff Downes: Keyboards, Vocoder

Trevor Horn: Vocals, Fretless Bass

Steve Howe: Guitars, Vocals

Chris Squire: Bass, Vocals, Piano

Alan White: Percussion, Vocals 

YES - 90125 (1983-2009) RM / SHM-CD / FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

A stunning self-reinvention by a band that many had given up for dead, 90125 is the album that introduced a whole new generation of listeners to Yes. Begun as Cinema, a new band by Chris Squire and Alan White, the project grew to include the slick production of Trevor Horn, the new blood (and distinctly '80s guitar sound) of Trevor Rabin, and eventually the trademark vocals of returning founder Jon Anderson. His late entry insured that Rabin and Horn had a heavy influence on the sound. The album also marked the return of prodigal keyboardist Tony Kaye, whose crisp synth work on "Changes" marked the band's definitive break with its art rock roots. "Owner of a Lonely Heart" was a huge crossover hit, and its orchestral break has been relentlessly sampled by rappers ever since. The vocal harmonies of "Leave It" and the beautifully sprawling "Hearts" are additional high points, but there's nary a duff track on the album. by Paul Collins
Tracklist:
1. Owner Of A Lonely Heart (Rabin / Anderson / Squire / Horn) (4:30)
2. Hold On (Rabin / Anderson / Squire) (5:18)
3. It Can Happen (Squire / Anderson / Rabin) (5:29)
4. Changes (Rabin / Anderson / White) (6:21)
5. Cinema (Squire / Rabin / White / Kaye) (2:08)
6. Leave It (Squire / Rabin / Horn) (4:14)
7. Our Song (Anderson / Squire / Rabin / White) (4:18)
8. City Of Love (Rabin / Anderson) (4:52)
9. Hearts (Anderson / Squire / Rabin / White / Kaye) (7:43)
Bonus Tracks
10. Leave It (Single Remix) (Squire / Rabin / Horn) (3:57)
11. Make It Easy (Bonus Track) (Rabin) (6:12)
12. It Can Happen (Squire / Anderson / Rabin) (Cinema Version) (6:05)
13. It's Over (Previously Unissued) (Rabin) (5:42)
14. Owner Of A Lonely Heart (Previously Unissued Extended Remix) (Rabin / Anderson / Squire / Horn) (7:05)
15. Leave It (A Capella Version) (Squire / Rabin / Horn) (3:19)
Musicians:
Jon Anderson: Vocals
Tony Kaye: Keyboards
Trevor Rabin: Guitar, Keyboards, Vocals
Chris Squire: Bass, Guitar (Bass), Vocals
Alan White: Drums, Percussion, Vocals

ASIA - Asia (1982-2013) SHM-CD / FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

This marriage of four players with impressive pedigrees proved to be the success story of 1982 when Asia's debut lodged itself at the top of the U.S. album charts for two months. The album spawned a massive number four single in "Heat of the Moment," a follow-up Top 20 hit in the sweeping "Only Time Will Tell," and a handful of other tracks that received heavy radio play despite going against the grain of the new wave styling of the day. Produced by Mike Stone, Asia's strengths were the powerful vocals of John Wetton, the nimble, classically tinged guitar work of Steve Howe, Geoffrey Downes' majestic keyboard playing, and anchoring the band, Carl Palmer's propulsive drumming. The lyrics are overwrought at moments, but there's no denying the epic grandeur of the music, which provided some much-needed muscle to radio at the time, and did so with style. by Tom Demalon

Tracklist:

1. Heat of the Moment

2. Only Time Will Tell

3. Sole Survivor

4. One Step Closer

5. Time Again

6. Wildest Dreams

7. Without You

8. Cutting It Fine

9. Here Comes The Feeling

Line-Up:

John Wetton - Bass, Lead Vocals, Keyboards 

Carl Palmer - Drums, Percussion 

Steve Howe - Electric & Acoustic Guitars, Vocals 

Geoffrey Downes - Keyboards, Vocals

ASIA - Alpha (1983-2014) SHM-CD / FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

The eagerly awaited follow-up to the supergroup's debut, Alpha landed with a resounding thud a year later. The album still managed to be a platinum-selling Top Ten hit, as did the leadoff single "Don't Cry," but where Asia managed to make old sounds fresh, Alpha fails miserably. Nothing on Alpha packs the sheer sonic force of the band's debut. Instead, much of the record is lightweight both lyrically and musically, leaning heavier on keyboard-laden ballads like "The Smile Has Left Your Eyes," which managed to scrape into the Top 40, and "My Own Time (I'll Do What I Want)." The only real meat on the record comes during the last cut, "Open Your Eyes" (and only at the end of the song). Rumored creative differences, the album's lukewarm reception, and flagging ticket sales for the ensuing tour led to lead singer John Wetton leaving the band before the year was out. Alpha is sorely disappointing, especially coming on the heels of a promising debut. by Tom Demalon

ASIA - Astra (1985-2014) SHM-CD / FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Released in 1985, Astra is Asia's third studio album and first without guitarist Steve Howe. While somewhat unfairly regarded in comparison to Asia's first two albums, Astra is nonetheless a solid prog rock outing that finds bassist/vocalist John Wetton, keyboardist Geoff Downes, drummer Carl Palmer, and replacement guitarist, Krokus' Mandy Meyer, delivering a set of melodic and driving rock anthems. Admittedly, Astra came on the heels of a tumultuous period for the band that found Wetton unceremoniously booted and replaced by ELP singer Greg Lake right before the highly publicized 1983 live televised concert event Asia in Asia. By 1984, Wetton had been reinstated, but tensions remained and Howe eventually left the band early in the recording process for Astra. Featuring a slightly more arena rock and pop-metal sound, Astra featured two Top Ten singles in the epic "Go" and the dramatic "Too Late." Elsewhere, there was a handful of similarly radio-ready cuts, including the sparkling George Harrison-sounding "Hard On Me," the '50s-influenced synth balladry of "Wishing," and the grand and symphonic rock theatrics of the very Queen-esque "Rock and Roll Dream." Certainly, while Asia is at its best with the original lineup, Astra is a truly underrated '80s rock album and a must-hear for fans. by Matt Collar