The Studio Albums 1969–1987
Yes · 2013
902 min · 139 tracks · progressive rock
A sprawling anthology that showcases the evolution of progressive rock through complex melodies and ambitious compositions across two decades.
Top tracks — play these first
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Beyond and Before Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
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Close to the Edge: The Solid Time of Change / Total Mass Retain / I Get Up I Get Down / Seasons of Man — This track exemplifies Yes's signature blend of elaborate structure and spiritual themes, showcasing the band's ability to weave multiple movements into a cohesive narrative.
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Roundabout — As one of Yes's most recognizable songs, this track highlights their signature harmonies and intricate musical transitions, making it a defining moment in their catalog.
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Owner of a Lonely Heart — This track marked a departure towards a more mainstream sound while retaining progressive elements, demonstrating Yes's adaptability and broadening appeal in the '80s.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
This box set captures Yes's artistic growth but lacks cohesion due to its extensive tracklist and varying quality across albums.
What we noticed
- Tracks are presented chronologically, allowing listeners to trace the evolution of the band's sound from their early work to later, more intricate compositions.
- The inclusion of multiple versions of songs highlights the band's experimentation with arrangements and production techniques.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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4/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- dynamic journey with peaks
- wave-like pacing for exploration
- ethereal melodies for contemplation
- immersive listening in two halves
- detailed arrangements for deep focus
Maybe skip if you
- prefer standalone singles
- seek instant gratification
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Deep Cut — A comprehensive collection that highlights Yes's evolution, but not a primary entry point.
- Themes
- progressive rock evolution· 1970s musical experimentation· 1980s commercial adaptation
- Career context
- Released in December 2013, The Studio Albums 1969–1987 is a comprehensive box set encapsulating Yes's prolific output during a transformative period in their career. This collection spans their formative years from their debut in 1969 with Yes to the commercially successful 1987 album Big Generator, highlighting their dynamic shifts in sound and lineup changes over nearly two decades.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Genesis· King Crimson· Emerson, Lake & Palmer
Tracklist
Disc 1
- 1 Beyond and Before Start here 4:55
- 2 I See You 6:52
- 3 Yesterday and Today 2:51
- 4 Looking Around 4:19
- 5 Harold Land 5:46
- 6 Every Little Thing 5:46
- 7 Sweetness 4:35
- 8 Survival 6:22
- 9 Everydays (single version) 6:23
- 10 Dear Father (early version #2) 5:51
- 11 Something’s Coming 7:09
- 12 Everydays (early version) 5:18
- 13 Dear Father (early version #1) 5:31
- 14 Something’s Coming (early version) 8:02
Disc 2
- 1 No Opportunity Necessary, No Experience Needed 4:52
- 2 Then 5:49
- 3 Everydays 6:12
- 4 Sweet Dreams 3:51
- 5 The Prophet 6:38
- 6 Clear Days 2:09
- 7 Astral Traveller 5:56
- 8 Time and a Word 4:39
- 9 Dear Father 4:14
- 10 No Opportunity Necessary, No Experience Needed (original mix) 4:46
- 11 Sweet Dreams (original mix) 4:20
- 12 The Prophet (single version) 6:33
Disc 3
- 1 Yours Is No Disgrace 9:40
- 2 Clap 3:16
- 3 Starship Trooper: Life Seeker / Disillusion / Würm 9:28
- 4 I’ve Seen All Good People: Your Move / All Good People 6:55
- 5 A Venture 3:20
- 6 Perpetual Change 8:57
- 7 Your Move (single version) 2:59
- 8 Starship Trooper: Life Seeker (single version) 3:27
- 9 Clap (studio version) 4:01
Disc 4
- 1 Roundabout 8:35
- 2 Cans and Brahms 1:42
- 3 We Have Heaven 1:39
- 4 South Side of the Sky 7:58
- 5 Five Per Cent for Nothing 0:37
- 6 Long Distance Runaround 3:30
- 7 The Fish (Schindleria Praematurus) 2:42
- 8 Mood for a Day 3:02
- 9 Heart of the Sunrise 11:32
- 10 America 10:33
- 11 Roundabout (early rough mix) 8:35
Disc 5
- 1 Close to the Edge: The Solid Time of Change / Total Mass Retain / I Get Up I Get Down / Seasons of Man 18:42
- 2 And You and I: Cord of Life / Eclipse / The Preacher the Teacher / Apocalypse 10:08
- 3 Siberian Khatru 9:00
- 4 America (single version) 4:12
- 5 Total Mass Retain (single version) 3:21
- 6 And You and I: Cord of Life / Eclipse / The Preacher the Teacher / Apocalypse (alternate version) 10:17
- 7 Siberia (studio run-through of ‘Siberian Khatru’) 9:19
Disc 6
- 1 The Revealing Science of God: Dance of the Dawn 22:37
- 2 The Remembering: High the Memory 20:53
- 3 “The Ancient”: Giants Under the Sun 18:35
Disc 7
- 1 Ritual: Nous sommes du soleil 21:52
- 2 Dance of the Dawn (studio run-through) 23:35
- 3 Giants Under The Sun (studio run-through) 17:17
Disc 8
- 1 The Gates of Delirium 21:56
- 2 Sound Chaser 9:27
- 3 To Be Over 9:19
- 4 Soon (single edit) 4:18
- 5 Sound Chaser (single edit) 3:13
- 6 The Gates of Delirium (studio run-through) 21:16
Disc 9
- 1 Going for the One 5:32
- 2 Turn of the Century 7:55
- 3 Parallels 5:58
- 4 Wonderous Stories 3:50
- 5 Awaken 15:38
- 6 Montreux’s Theme 2:38
- 7 Vevey (Revisited) 4:46
- 8 Amazing Grace 2:36
- 9 Going for the One (rehearsal) 5:10
- 10 Parallels (rehearsal) 6:21
- 11 Turn of the Century (rehearsal) 6:58
- 12 Eastern Number (early version of ‘Awaken’) 12:16
Disc 10
- 1 Future Times / Rejoice 6:46
- 2 Don’t Kill the Whale 3:58
- 3 Madrigal 2:27
- 4 Release, Release 5:48
- 5 Arriving UFO 6:08
- 6 Circus of Heaven 4:32
- 7 Onward 4:05
- 8 On the Silent Wings of Freedom 7:52
- 9 Abilene 4:02
- 10 Money 3:14
- 11 Picasso 2:12
- 12 Some Are Born 5:42
- 13 You Can Be Saved 4:20
- 14 High 4:30
- 15 Days 1:00
- 16 Countryside 3:11
- 17 Everybody’s Song 6:48
- 18 Onward (orchestral version) 3:06
Disc 11
- 1 Machine Messiah 10:27
- 2 White Car 1:21
- 3 Does It Really Happen? 6:35
- 4 Into the Lens 8:32
- 5 Run Through the Light 4:42
- 6 Tempus Fugit 5:21
- 7 Into the Lens (single version) 3:47
- 8 Run Through the Light (single version) 4:31
- 9 Have We Really Got to Go Through This 3:43
- 10 Song No. 4 (Satellite) 7:31
- 11 Tempus Fugit (tracking session) 5:39
- 12 White Car (tracking session) 1:11
- 13 Dancing Through the Light 3:16
- 14 Golden Age 5:57
- 15 In the Tower 2:54
- 16 Friend of a Friend 3:38
Disc 12
- 1 Owner of a Lonely Heart 4:30
- 2 Hold On 5:18
- 3 It Can Happen 5:29
- 4 Changes 6:20
- 5 Cinema 2:07
- 6 Leave It 4:13
- 7 Our Song 4:18
- 8 City of Love 4:52
- 9 Hearts 7:43
- 10 Leave It (single remix version) 3:56
- 11 Make It Easy 6:12
- 12 It Can Happen 6:05
- 13 It’s Over 5:41
- 14 Owner of a Lonely Heart (extended remix) 7:05
- 15 Leave It (a cappella version) 3:18
Disc 13
- 1 Rhythm of Love 4:47
- 2 Big Generator 4:34
- 3 Shoot High Aim Low 7:02
- 4 Almost Like Love 5:00
- 5 Love Will Find a Way 4:50
- 6 Final Eyes 6:25
- 7 I’m Running 7:37
- 8 Holy Lamb (Song for Harmonic Convergence) 3:23
- 9 Love Will Find a Way (edited version) 4:18
- 10 Love Will Find a Way (extended version) 7:11
- 11 Rhythm of Love (Dance to the Rhythm mix) 6:55
- 12 Rhythm of Love (Move to the Rhythm mix) 4:26
- 13 Rhythm of Love (The Rhythm of Dub) 7:50
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway
Genesis
Shares intricate storytelling and lush arrangements, embodying 70s progressive rock's experimental spirit.
In the Court of the Crimson King
King Crimson
Features complex time signatures and atmospheric soundscapes, pivotal to the early progressive rock movement.
Moving Pictures
Rush
Combines technical musicianship with accessible melodies, reflecting the evolution of progressive rock in the 80s.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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