Track Listing

1. Machine Messiah
2. White Car
3. Does It Really Happen
4. Into The Lens
5. Run Through The Light
6. Tempus Fugit

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #82977 in Music
• Released on: 1994-10-17
• Number of discs: 1
• Formats: Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered

Amazon.co.uk Review
Shorn of Jon Anderson's touchy-feely New Age sensibilities and Rick Wakeman's camp, operatic flourishes, this incarnation of Yes were a leaner, meaner machine altogether. Drama (1980) was the last Yes album and last line-up change before their split and subsequent resurrection as a bland transatlantic MOR outfit (remember 90125 and "Owner Of A Lonely Heart"?). New singer Trevor Horn brings to the party both fellow ex-Buggle Geoff Downes on keyboards and--equally important--his extraordinary talent as a producer. The album remains a model of recording clarity: every note, every carefully honed nuance is captured in clinical detail. And that's exactly why Drama has sometimes been written off as uninvolving. In truth, it's a muso's album par excellence: marvel at the shifting time signatures, gasp at the dizzying key changes, thrill as intertwining instruments weave ever more complex tapestries of sound. It's that kind of album. Maybe emotionally it leaves many listeners high and dry, but as a masterclass in virtuoso rock musicianship it's thrilling. --Mark Walker

CD Description
It was widely assumed that when vocalist/songwriter Jon Anderson left Yes at the end of the '70s, the band was doomed. Most folks forgot that bassist/composer Chris Squire was theother founding member of the band, and he had as much to dowith their sound as Anderson. It was surprising enough whenthe band decided to continue with a new vocalist and keyboardist. It was even more surprising when the new members turned out to be Trevor Horn (later a famed pop producer) and Geoff Downes (who would soon depart with Steve Howe for Asia).And it was downright shocking when the resultant album DRAMA turned out to be a great one.
While Horn's voice is in the same general range as Anderson's, he tends to blend morewith the vocals of Howe and Squire for a distinctive three-part harmony sound. Similarly, the individual instrumental statements of Howe and Downes avoid grandstanding in favor ofthe group dynamic. Consequently, DRAMA is one of Yes' most direct, concise offerings, full of relatively short songs that still maintain all the Yes hallmarks. Anderson diehards should leave their inhibitions at the door.

Customer Reviews

Darker , yet energetic ,classic prog-rock at it's highest!
Despite Jon Anderson's and Rick Wakeman's absence, this has to be the best album that Yes has ever produced. Steve Howe, Chris Squire and Alan White, are all on top form, and have certainly proved that they could still make good classic prog rock together, albeit with Trevor Horn and Geoff Downes, who really prove their worth, here. Horn's vocals are distinctive and sharp. Downes' keyboard playing is tasteful and integrates remarkably well with Squire's heavy bass riffs, Howe's energetic guitar licks and White's neat drumming style. All the tracks are strong, although I think the ones that really stand out are 'Machine Messiah', 'Tempus Fugit' and 'Does it really happen?'. They all offer something different, whilst keeping to the real essence of progressive rock. A different line-up can be for the better....but don't take my word for it; Buy it and judge for yourselves! It's heavy, it's dramatic, it's 'Drama'! Pure genius!
Oh yeah! Roger Dean's front cover design is breathtaking, as always. I think he's a genius as well!

Excellent
Infinitely listenable, this is one of those albums which keeps unveiling new nuances every time you replay it. The production is incredibly sharp, yet warm. Horn's vocals are breathtaking in their precision, and he has a unique silky but powerful quality to his voice, particularly in the upper register. Squire is as raw and quirky as ever, and Howe does enough to satisfy fans of more vintage Yes. White's drumming is among the best I've heard on any Yes album. Downes completes the musical tapestry with well chosen textures.

Overall, an awesome example of precision music-making, and not showing any signs of datedness either.

The greatest Yes album
When, in 1980, it was announced that original lead singer Jon Anderson and keyboardist Rick Wakeman had left Yes and were replaced by Buggles singer Trevor Horn and Buggles keyboardist Geoff Downes, fans were in an uproar. However, once the album "Drama" was issued, all fears should have subsided. "Drama" is easily the greatest album Yes have ever released. Every track is magnificent, and the overall sound is darker and heavier than on any other Yes album to date. 'Machine Messiah' and 'Tempus Fugit' are perhaps the finest of all Yes tracks, while the remaining songs are excellent, riveting and fascinating. Trevor proved to be a superb Yes frontman and Geoff turned out to be a great musician as well. Sadly, this definitive lineup of Horn-Downes-Alan White-Steve Howe-Chris Squire was shortlived. But they left behind the greatest progressive-rock album of all time, "Drama".