----------------------------------------------------- NOVEMBER 16, 2001 ----------------------------------------------------- Source: Metropol (Zurich, Switzerland) Art Rock Veterans The artrock band Yes plays tonight at the Kongresshaus By Martin Söhnlein Translation by Juerg Reimann In 1968, when Yes was on stage for the first time, they set a course with their classically inspired rock style. The history of rock music is a perpetual back-and-forth. Already in 1965 more and more musicians liberated themselves from the stiff rock'n'roll patterns that have been widely accepted by then. If you compare the two Beatles' LPs "A Hard Day's Night" (1964) and "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" (1967), you can see how fast pop music developed in those days. Together with bands like Genesis, King Crimson and Emerson, Lake & Palmer, it was mainly Yes that influenced the new genre of the so-called art or progressive rock in the early seventies. With songs of epic length, overflowing solos and lyrics that remind less of rock'n'roll and more of British romantics of the 19th century, Yes distinguished themselves above all that had gone before. But due to their tendency toward bombast, they soon alienated many fans. It was 1975 when punk rock finally brought the whole art rock magic to an end. That Yes is also able to write comparatively simple rock songs was demonstrated "Owner Of A Lonely Heart," their hit single produced by Trevor Horn that met the standards at the time and was their comeback at the beginning of the eighties. Being the excellent musicians that they are -- beyond controversy -- they play new live material, at the remarkable standard of their current studio album, "Magnification." The band will be accompanied by an orchestra. Close Window YesInThePress.com For site comments, problems, corrections, or additions, contact YesinthePress@aol.com