In 1980 when Yes found themselves without their keyboardist (Rick Wakeman) and vocalist (Jon Anderson), they turned to their manager Brian Lane to see if he had any suggestions. As it was, he was also managing a group called "The Buggles". That outfit was actually a duo composed of Trevor Horn and Geoff Downes, and they were the guys responsible for the hit song "Video Killed The Radio Star". As luck would have it they were also huge Yes fans, and jumped at the chance, they thought, to have their heroes record a song or two of theirs. To make a long story short, they wound up in the band, and Drama is the only album recorded by this lineup.

Drama is an intriguing disc. It is composed of somewhat longer songs than its predecessor Tormato. In many ways the songs here are vast departures for Yes music, but as part of the paradox of this disc, Steve Howe's guitar and Chris Squire's bass work are both featured more heavily than on most of the other music in the catalog. Squire in particular is playing as well as, if not better than at any other point in his career. These factors have always endeared this one to me, and lots of Yes fans. Don't expect Close To The Edge or Tales From Topographic Oceans here, but come into it expecting what in many ways is a harder darker side of Yes, and you will find a treasure.

This review is available in book format (hardcover and paperback) in Music Street Journal: 2004 Year Book Volume 1 at https://garyhillauthor.com/Music-Street-Journal-2003-and-2004/.