During Yes’ heyday, the band released seven studio albums between 1969 and 1974. While each of these records is worthy of note, there are some albums which stand out in the Yes canon.
Although it’s not exactly the best album of the band’s oeuvre, ‘Magnification’ is the best Yes album since the ’80s. It features two epics, the title track and ‘In The Presence Of’. The song ‘Sweetness’ is also a notable Yes-stuff.
The ‘Survival’ is a good Yes original, but the title track is the best. The album also features a good cover of ‘No Opportunity Necessary’ by Richie Havens.
The ‘Sweetness’ is an unusual Yes song, as it was originally written for Mabel Greer’s Toyshop. It’s one of the few Yes songs that don’t sound like it came from the band’s debut.
‘The Messenger’ is a tribute to Bob Marley. It’s not as bad as you might think, despite the title.
The ‘Survival’ song on Yes’ debut is not the best. It’s a good idea, but it’s overshadowed by a few weaker numbers. ‘Clear Days’ and ‘Sweet Dreams’ are not very good. And ‘The Messenger’ is hard to un-hear.
Although ‘Sweetness’ and ‘Survival’ are the best Yes songs of the era, ‘Magnification’ is a better album. The best Yes original is ‘In The Presence Of’, a sweeping epic ballad.
The ‘Sweetness’ song on Yes’ debut is a good idea, but it’s not as good as ‘Survival’. And ‘The Messenger’ is a tribute, but it’s not as good as the title track.