------------------------------------------------------- OCTOBER 8, 1980 ------------------------------------------------------- Source: UCLA Daily Bruin Yes: Drama (Atlantic) By Chris Hoard Here they are, back again, complete with a formula Roger Dean album cover, minus two traditional stalwarts (Anderson and Wakeman) and renewed with two Buggles. Buggles? Jon Anderson, thought to be the guiding force of Yes, and Rick Wakeman, their acclaimed keyboardist both abandoned Yes early this year leaving fans and observers certain of a long-lived, pompous and innovative rock group having met its final demise. The remaining members of Yes, guitarist Steve Howe, bassist Chris Squire, and drummer Alan White answered the rumors, with the addition of ex-Buggles Trevor Horn and Geoff Downes. Surprisingly, Drama imitates the previous sound of Yes almost to perfection. Horn and Downes replace Anderson and Wakeman with uncanny accuracy, but their talents are not the strength of the recording. The obvious reason that Drama succeeds is the sure-footed instrumental and creative dominance of Howe and Squire. Both "Tempus Fugit" and "Does It Really Happen," are two of the most energetic and accessible compositions since their early-seventies groundbreaker, Fragile. Drama contains some of the best instrumental offerings of Howe, Squire and White to date. Though Drama falls short of the inspiration and originality of past works like Tales From Topographic Oceans and Relayer, it resolves the artistic stagnancy evident on their previous album Tormato. There is still plenty of room to allow Horn and Downes some influence that does not fit into the established framework; Yes's future direction could hold much promise. Close Window YesInThePress.com For site comments, inquiries, corrections, or additions, contact yitp@yesservices.com