siLLy puPPy
YES were showing their desire to progress rapidly. TIME AND A WORD is only their second album and they were already deciding to add an orchestrated string section to their more ambitious songwriting. This album like their debut is one that I neglected in the past in favor of the masterpieces that follow, but after revisiting the first two albums I discovered that they have grown on me without my knowing it! I used to own this but lost it a long time ago and only recently acquired the newer remastered edition in order to refamiliarize myself with their early releases. I remembered liking the first track “No Opportunity Necessary, No Experience Needed” an ambitious and progressive take on a Ritchie Havens song, but other than that one I couldn't remember any tracks. As with the debut album I was pleasantly surprised that I actually like this 2nd release quite a bit as well. It was obviously gestating its essence in my brain for years only to surprise me when I finally got back to it.
TIME AND A WORD progresses the songwriting and YES have moved forward another few steps towards their more popular sound that would come to full fruition on the next album. The songs on here are still very 60s sounding but the band is more adventurous. They keyboards are much more lively as are the other instruments. They lyrics are more cosmic and fantasy based. The string section is one that isn't as pronounced as I would imagine. The orchestral arrangements by Tony Cox are subtle and serve as a background filler more than as an actual member of the band. In this regard it works fairly well but I would like to have heard a little loosening of the reins in this department. As with the debut album, i'm quite surprised that I have warmed up to this sophomore release but upon revisiting it, I am quite taken but its beauty and charm and find this to be a worthy 4 star release. The rest is history. Peter Banks was asked to leave the band and Steve Howe joined at this time. He actually appeared on the photos on the US edition. “The Yes Album” would launch this band into the stratosphere, but this album is an interesting pre-masterpiece edition to your musical collection.