Tormato by Yes
If Rush is my favourite band, then Yes is a close second. In fact I have seen Yes in concert more than any other band I have seen.
When we think of classic Yes, we might thing of The Yes Album, Close to the Edge, or Fragile. Most people do not think of Tormato, even though being released in 1978, it perhaps concludes the classic era of Yes.
Even Yes fans tend to put Tormato closer to the bottom than the top of the best Yes albums. And yet, Tormato is actually one of my favourite Yes albums. I recognize its problems and how it is not that radio-friendly, but it has great songs.
While the second side is stronger, the first side includes two strong songs: Don’t Kill the Whale and Release, Release. Casual listeners to Yes probably have never heard them, but they are enjoyable.
I love the second side of Tormato and I don’t think there is a weak song on that side. Arriving UFO, Circus of Heaven, Onward, and On the Silent Wings of Freedom are all excellent, with the final song being the best.
While Tormato does come across at times as a bunch of Yes songs thrown together, this is still Yes at their peak. Jon Anderson, Steve Howe, Chris Squire, Rick Wakeman, and Alan White were all masters at their craft. They did cutting edge innovations with their music and that includes these songs.
If you have never listened to Tormato or only know of Yes from Owner of a Lonely Heart, give this album a try. It might take a few listens to get into but it is worth the effort.
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