Tired of Yes-dom after 1974's Relayer, the band scattered to the four winds to pursue solo projects. None of these were particularly successful, although I remember fondly the sheer nonsense of Jon Anderson's Olias Of Sunhillow. On reconvening three years later, keyboardist Patrick Moraz having baled, to be replaced by the return of caped crusader Rick Wakeman, it was suddenly 1977.
So what would Yes, perhaps sitting close to the golden throne of prog old fartitude, deliver after three years in the wilderness, while punk had been gestating?
"One, two, a one, two, three, four" greets us to begin the title track, Going For The One, a nod to a simpler way of doing things? It's a solid, rocking number, even with a bit of self-deprecation in the lyrics, and is certainly far more rock'n'roll than anything which graced Tales Of Topographic Oceans. But if that had built the hopes up, then temper your expectations - Turn Of The Century is a twee acoustic ballad which goes on far too long, the crescendo only prolonguing it, rather than improving it. Once you get past the leaden church organ opening, Parallels offers a bit more, with the recognisable Yes themes, although it's hardly a classic.
The second half opens with the band's only UK top 10 single, the wimpy piece of nonsense that is Wonderous Stories. I can hear why it was a hit, I can appreciate why it was popular, I just struggle to see how anyone who loved Close To The Edge would think "wow, they've nailed this".
But there is an extended piece to complete this album. Awaken is a 15 minute 'epic', cited by some as Yes's masterwork. I don't see it myself. There are a few bits to enjoy, but too much feels like an outtake from Tales From Topographic Oceans. However, it's far more of what you'd expect from Yes than much of the rest of the album - pomp, extended solos, Jon Anderson's impenetrable lyrics, and Rick Wakeman showing off on a church organ.
For me, while not an awful album, the writing was on the Yes wall here. I took no interest in anything Yes did after this, especially when they merged with the tedious Buggles a couple of years later.
3* - but only just three - while the sound of a band in decline (I know they went on to be more popular than ever) there's enough on this to merit an occasional spin
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