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Continuing his sterling work in Kevin’s absense, Mark considers his picks for the Top 5 Yes albums since 1980. I wonder how his list will compare with yours. Let us know in the comments, as always.
- What post-1980 album comes out top for Mark?
- How does his top 5 compare with yours?
- Do any of his picks seem odd to you?
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41 replies on “Top 5 Yes albums between 1980 and present day – 714”
Cannot disagree with your ranking. I might have put Drama ahead of The Ladder… but TL is a grossly overlooked classic.
Greetings Jamie,
Thank you very much for your comment. Honestly…I think a lot of Yes fans would put Drama at the top…so that’s no surprise. But I’m glad to hear that you enjoy The Ladder as much as I do.
All the best,
Mark Anthony K
My top 5 Yes studio albums from ’80 on are: Drama, 90125, Talk, Fly From Here and The Ladder. Followed by Magnification, the studio tracks on Keys to Ascension and Keys 2, Union, and From a Page.
Hi Doug,
Great to hear from you.
Thank you for your comment(s). Haha..don’t worry these double posts sometimes happen. I’m sure we can get it removed.
As for your ranking..a few surprises! Well..for me at least. Talk is one that I’m surprised with…while I think it’s a great record and a major breakthrough as far as recording technology is concerned…I don’t hear many 5 per centers mention this album.
Oh…and I have to ask…which version of Fly from Here? The original Benoit or the Trevor Horn redo version?
Hope you are well,
Mark Anthony K
Mark, I enjoy both versions of Fly From Here. On the original Benoit’s vocals are stronger than on Trevor’s version. On Trevor’s version, I enjoy Chris’ more pronounced bass playing and the new contributions by Geoff & Steve, and the full version of “Hour of Need.” Not a fan of Steve singing on “Don’t Take No…” although it’s always nice to hear an unreleased track. If pushed, I’d go with the original release as my favorite, although I enjoy both.
My top 5 Yes studio albums from ’80 are Drama, 90125, The Ladder, Magnification, and Fly From Here. Followed by Talk, Big Generator, Union, and From a Page.
Stratch that 2nd post!
Regarding episode 714, “Top 5 Yes albums between 1980 and present day” …
An excellent episode, Mark, and my Top Five Post-Seventies would be very nearly the same as yours … especially ranking The Ladder and Drama first and second place (in my mind, really, they’re tied for first place).
Over time, I’ve grown to rank the albums of Yes (and other favorite bands) in two ways … primarily, in terms of their overall musical greatness …
… but also … and more importantly the older I get … in the order of which ones I actually LISTEN TO the most.
And in that regard, The Ladder and Drama are right up there with the best of Yes’ seventies albums. I hope the royalties payments from my many Apple Music spins are keeping the guys well-fed!
Thanks for a great episode … and especially, for holding down the fort while Kevin enjoys his well-earned rest and recuperation.
Hello Robert,
Thank you very much for your comment, in both text and audio version.
It was nice to hear that you had a similar list to mine…I really wasn’t expecting The Ladder to get as much love as it has.
Oh and I agree with your two methods of ranking albums. I would probably use your second example more then the first…as sometimes my favorites arent always a bands best selling.
Take care and thanks for your support. I’m sure your Apple music spins help keep the lights on at YMP World Headquarters.
Mark Anthony K
In no order: Fly From Here, Drama, 90125, ABWH, Union–hated but I love it!
Greetings Dave,
Thank you for your comment.
Some controversial picks… especially with Union!! While it isn’t a favorite of mine…I do think that people give it far too much negative comments.
But since you didn’t rank your albums…I’m going to guess that your number 5 is ABWH….and your number 1 is Fly from Here (but which version ..the original or the Trevor Horn redo?)
Let me know if I’m right.
Mark Anthony K
Hi Mark
1. Drama–great sound, great songs
2. Fly–just hits the spot sometimes, I like the whole vibe
3. 90125–Changes, Cinema
4. Union–there truly are some great parts!
5. ABWH–J.A. shines, some great parts but not all.
[Heaven and Earth and the last two are not Yes albums to me]
[Talk is a Rabin solo album]
When I was 11 in 1980 I spied a cool album cover in my uncle’s collection. I put it on the turntable and was swept away, literally life-changing!
1 – Drama
2 – 90125
3 – The Ladder
4 – Fly from Here
5 – Magnification
Mark, if you have another solo episode I would love to hear your Wakeman Top 5 post 1980. Thanks for the fun! And best to Kevin, get better quickly!
Todd
Hi Todd,
Thank you for your comment and your support. Not a surprise that Drama scored so high on your list. I find it fascinating that it was your introduction to Yes. Haven’t heard that happen often.
As for your request for a top 5 Wakeman post 1980 album ranking…it’s on my list of things to do.
All the best,
Mark Anthony K
What a great episode, Mark! I totally agree with your ranking except I’d replace Mirror To The Sky with Talk. The Ladder is absolutely the best they’ve produced since 1980. Stellar tracks that had all classic Yes elements, but with a fresh dose of creative energy sans self-parody. It has always baffled me that Lightning Strikes wasn’t a major hit at that time. Thanks for keeping YMP going in Kevin’s absence. Get well soon, Kevin!
Hi Al,
Thank you very much for your comment and kind words.
I totally agree with your views on The Ladder…like I said in the episode.. I felt like this album blended the best of the classic style with a more modern upbeat vibe. I never get tired of listening to this album. I’ve almost worn out my CD copy. The funny thing is that I have pretty much every Yes album on vinyl… except for The Ladder! Can never find one that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg. Oh well..one day.
Oh and thank you for the best wishes for Kevin. He is getting better each day. And I will also have Kevin’s back…he is more then just a friend…he is family to me.
All the best,
Mark Anthony K
Just getting caught up on recent YMP episodes and wanted to wish Kevin a speedy recovery.
But now having heard the recent shows where Mark A.K. is carrying the torch and keeping the lights on at YMP towers, we have to give a huge shout out to him. These have been fantastic shows!
From your deep dive into vinyl (which REALLY speaks to the collector geek in us) to the latest show reviewing your favorite YES albums from 1980 onward, we’ve really enjoyed them. Like you, we continue to love DRAMA more and more each year. It is a classic YES album through and through–a true masterwork, and the perfect bridge from 70s to 80s.
Keep up the good work Mark!
Greetings Douglas and Glenn,
Thank you very much for your kind words about the podcast. And I’m sure Kevin appreciates your kind words as well.
I’m so glad you and the other 5 per centers are enjoying these episodes. To be honest, they are topics I enjoy talking about … especially vinyl pressings and rankings. I feel that vinyl pressings (which we haven’t discussed too much) are important episodes…as it’s too easy to get confused on what to look for. And some incredible sounding pressings can be bought if you know what to look for.
As for Drama…I agree…the love of that album seems to be increasing with each passing year. It’s almost like Yes fans are catching up on time they ignored it.
By the way…Drama is a great album to talk pressings about. Logic would say to look for the original UK first pressing…but outside of the UK..they can get pricey….but there is a fantastic reissue that was done a few years back…that was mastered by Kevin Grey at Cohearent Audio from the original master tapes. It sounds fantastic and can be had at a very reasonable price.
Thanks again for your support,
Mark Anthony K
Before I listened to your choices, I ran through the options and put scores next to each album (1 to 5), and then I deleted any that were 3 or lower. My plan was then to rank the 4s and 5s again, but I saw that I actually rated 5 albums as 5s, so I figured that’s my selection!
These are the ones I rated as 5s:
Drama
ABWH
Keys to Ascension 2
From a Page
The Quest
Hey Ray,
Wow..very interesting choices and all 5 star picks. The only one I’m surprised to see on your list is The Quest. I’d love to hear what you feel the high points are on the album (I’m not saying you are wrong…there is no right or wrong..just curious on your highlights).
From a Page is brilliant…but I’ve always viewed that as more of an EP then an album…but that just be being overly technical..
Great picks.
Mark Anthony K
I’m particularly fond of “The Quest Suite” (“The Ice Bridge” + “The Western Edge” + “A Living Island”) and wish they’d had the confidence to link them directly on the album rather than spacing them out. But I guess by keeping the three parts separate, it lends the album more of a “concept” feel, elements of which I think can be found in “Damaged World,” “Future Memories,” and even “Minus the Man” as extensions of the premise.
“From a Page” is only 6 minutes shorter than “Drama” (and it will be significantly longer once the extended version is released), containing some of the strongest Yessongs of the 21st century. It definitely merits a place in my Top Five.
(And, by the way, my name is pronounced like a Christmas in the swamp: “Wreath Mire.”)
There are not a lot of albums from this period I can listen to and enjoy from start to finish, which is how I tend to consume music. But Drama would be in my top five Yes albums, period. This may not count as a “proper” album — it probably doesn’t, actually — but I also really get a lot of enjoyment from Keystudio.
Hi Aaron,
Great to hear from you.
I understand…some people enjoy certain periods more then others, but I’m sure no one will argue that Drama is a top 5 Yes album.
As for Keystudio…to me, it absolutely qualifies. In fact I know more then a few people who feel that it’s one of the best albums they made. If you enjoy it..that’s all that matters.
All the best,
Mark Anthony K
Hi Mark,
Good quick show as always.
My top 5 is not like yours at all….but that’s good right?
5 = The Ladder
4 = Keys
3 = Talk
2 = ABWH
1 = From a Page
Like last time, I was going to rate the album covers you choose! – surprise surprise The order you have your list would be the album covers ranked!!
Hi John,
Thank you for your comment. I’m glad you enjoyed the episode.
Your absolutely right..its good that you don’t have the same albums. Not everyone has the same taste in Yes music…that’s what makes it interesting. As for your ranking …From a Page as your number one choice is not surprising, there seem to be many who rank it quite high. As for the album covers…I may tackle that in an upcoming episode. Should make for an interesting discussion.
Take care,
Mark Anthony K
John and Mark,
I like From a Page also and am looking forward to the upcoming reissue. I was fortunate to see one of Rick and Oliver’s US shows a couple weeks ago, and in the ‘Yes Suite’ Oliver played The Gift of Love and Words on a Page on piano. So great to hear a version of those live!
Cheers!
Al
I saw Rick & Oliver in St.Charles, IL, and hearing Oliver play those “From a Page” melodies was definitely a highlight of the evening.
Hiya Mark
Hope all is well. Thanks for carrying the torch while Kevin recovers. It should be tough leading the show without a co-presenter but I think you’re doing an awesome job alone. Glad to hear Kevin is nearly ready to return.
I agree with several of your album choices.
90125 is a seminal Yes Album. It’s a new musical direction but in its own way as masterful as the 70s classics.
Drama means a lot to me personally. It was the first Yes album I bought as a new release when it first came out. I appreciate the more modern sounds and new wave stylings of the album, but don’t think the writing and composition matches the bands earlier work.
But probably my favourite Yes album of the period was ABWH. It a new signalled the bands return to the progressive themes and virtuoso musicianship that makes Yes music distinct, after an absence of eight or nine years. I temper for Yes fans in the eighties it was like the second coming. Roger Dean artwork and all!
Hi Alann,
Thank you very much for your comments and kind words. Its very much appreciated.
I , of course, agree with your choices…since they are very similar to mine. Except for ABWH…which is an album that I have a love hate relationship with. While I agree that the songs are more adventurous and progressive…compared to what Yes we’re doing in the 80s…but it also sounds very dated to me… Mainly because of the dreaded Simmons drums and a lot of Rick’s keyboard sounds. That’s one thing Yes had the advantage with both of the Trevor’s…they were very good with sounds that never got dated.
But with that said…it’s still a great album.
Thanks again for your support.
Mark Anthony K
Fascinating episode. And quite a challenge in many ways as with the benefit of hindsight, the ‘best’ Yes period by now has passed which shifts the goalposts. Granted, there may be a few stiffs in the post 1980 catalogue which narrows down the choice a little.
Anyway, for the record, and with the of the well worn ‘in no particular order’ idea, here are my five:
‘Drama’ – as you say has built a reputation over the years and by now., we’re over the shock on No Jon or Rick. The band also seem to rate it as it features in the album series and the core of Howe, White & Squire are on fire on this album (and tour it has to be said).
‘Fly From Here’ – ditto and an album I’ve really only come to appreciate since the Return Trip…almost like a ‘Drama’ cntd.
‘Talk’ – which tbh, I rate above ‘90125’ as my fave of the Rabin Years. Yes, ‘90125’ was the album that I always see as the one that saved Yes, and a little like ‘Drama’ may have had an immediate shock impact to the diehards, but I always had a soft spot for ‘Talk’ and some of the hooks and the epic ‘Endless Dream’
‘Keys To Ascension’ – just because i loved this period and the (for my money) classic line up of JA, RW, SH, RW and CS playing and composing together again – the live show was just the icing on the cake.
and… ‘The Ladder’ with the addition of Billy and Igor and seeing this line up live in smaller theatres makes me warm to this album and era. Some major tracks on this and not sure if Mark mentioned it, but I really enjoy ‘Face To Face’
…sadly no place for the last couple of albums although it’s great to see the band still active as composer and maybe before long, we’ll have some shows that actually focus on music from the latter years (although I somehow doubt it!!)
keep up the great work Mark!
Greetings Mike,
Thank you very much for your comments and kind words. The support is greatly appreciated.
Your list is very well written and thought out. A lot of your points make perfect sense. I’m finding it fascinating about how many of you are listing Keys 1&2 or Keystudio in your rankings.
I remember, like yesterday, buying Keys to Ascension 1 when it first came out. I’m a big fan of live albums…so when I got it home I was listening to it constantly…disc 1 that is….disc 2 rarely got played as there was only 2 songs and then the studio tracks. I always found it annoying that the live material wasn’t all on one disc…but years later…I gave the studio tracks (on both albums) a chance and found that I had missed out on some great material.
But I still feel that something was missing on those studio tracks…hence why they didn’t rank higher on my own list.
Thanks again for your support.
Mark Anthony K
Great episode & my ratings are almost the same as yours, Mark. I might possibly put MAGNIFICATION on top (mostly for personal reasons in my own listening journey, & I consider it to be a somewhat overlooked masterpiece as its content has receded from the setlists of the last 15) years).
I’m glad you included MIRROR as it is fabulous (title track of MIRROR beats ONCE UPON A DREAM hands down—who wants to fight me? ). There is an argument to be made that you could replace it on the list with TALK but I’m glad to see MIRROR get some love.❤️
Your analysis of THE LADDER is almost exactly the same as mine. HOMEWORLD harkens back to those 70’s classics but with Alan’s drums recorded so much better & Igor’s brilliant touches. “Send, ascending to the future…we follow the sun” OMG JA’s spiritually vibrant lyrics! FACE to FACE & NINE VOICES are incredibly moving short gems. NEW LANGUAGES is a slightly disappointing (incomplete?) long form piece. And the coda of FINALLY stands as one of the most gorgeous pieces in the YES oeuvre.
Hi Brian,
Thank you for your comment and support.
I’m very pleased to see that you are another supporter of Mirror to the Sky. Honestly I think it may become the next generations “Drama” album….overlooked right now…but a big favorite years later.
I understand your reason for placing Magnification on top….when a record has a very personal connection ..it can boost its ranking. That like me with Union. I know it’s not the best album…but when I did a whole catalog ranking, a few years ago, on Instagram….I couldn’t place it last…as I have found memories of the Union tour. For those who don’t know what I’m refering to…go back to my episode on “Yes albums and the memories they give us”.
Thanks again,
Mark Anthony K
I’m not sure about the order, but I think my top five Yes albums from 1980 onward would include:
Drama
Talk
The Ladder
Magnification
The Quest
I did kind of want From a Page somewhere in there, as I really do think it has some of the best Yes music of the past few decades. But not sure if it qualifies as a full album (yet).
I’m not sure about the order, but I think my top five Yes albums from 1980 onward would include:
Drama
Talk
The Ladder
Magnification
The Quest
I did kind of want From a Page somewhere in there, as I really do think it has some of the best Yes music of the past few decades. But I’m not sure if it qualifies as a full album (yet).
Hi Steven,
Great list. Interesting that you included The Quest. Not many have ….but I think I will give it another listen.
From a Page?…I think it’s a masterpiece…but I believe it’s still viewed as an EP…I still think that they should have used those songs on Fly from Here…..but don’t get me started on that album….I could go on for hours.
Thanks again for your support.
Mark Anthony K
Hi Mark,
Yeah I think me and others might be in the minority preferring The Quest over Mirror to the Sky. I think both albums are good, but some songs on The Quest resonate with me a bit better. Especially “A Living Island” as a conclusion to the main tracklist. Other tracks that drift in my head from time to time are “The Western Edge,” “Minus the Man,” and even “Leave Well Alone” lately. And while the title track of Mirror to the Sky is cited as a strength of that album, and I love the music on it, it does kind of feel to me like some of the lyrics on there could’ve used a little more fleshing out instead of just repeating “Dreams of a sky without fire” and “You are my mirror to the sky” over and over. The details in the lyrics later in that track is kind of what I would’ve liked a bit more of in the vocal bits earlier in the song. Or maybe even brief verses that don’t sound as simplistic. Maybe that’s just something I expect from the longer songs, though I’m sure there might be other examples of this I’m not thinking of.
I completely agree with Steven, with “The Quest” in my Top 5, too (noted above). I am hopeful that the extra time the band took creating “Aurora” will prove beneficial, because it seemed to me that they may have been a tad rushed with “Mirror to the Sky,” coming so quick on the heels of “The Quest.” And I hope we get more songwriting from Billy and Geoff on the new album (especially working together).
MY Top 5 (post 1980):
1. Drama
2. Mirror To The Sky
3. The Ladder
4. KeyStudios
5. Magnification
These 5 are also in my all time Top 10!
1. Talk
2. Keys To Ascension 2
3. The Ladder
4. Magnification
5. Mirror To The Sky
Hi Mark,
I think you pretty much nailed it with your ranking , I totally agree with your top three ranking. I think that Fly from Here ( either version) , Big Generator, Magnification and technically it is an actual album… Keystudio all are equally brilliant and I find it difficult to rank them. I do like a lot of MTTS, but I think it lacks something , there aren’t enough strong vocal harmonies and not enough keyboards. Hopefully on Aurora or the album after that Billy and Geoff may have a bigger input. Billy’s bass lines are very good , but on most classic Yes tracks the bass is right in your face and often carries the song. Turn Billy’s bass and vocals up and let’s hear more of Geoff. MTTS is still a good album and Aurora I suspect will be even better.
Best wishes to you and Kevin. I trust he will have a full and speedy recovery.