In a Word [Box]

Performer: Yes
Distributor: WEA (Distributor)

Notes: Yes includes: Jon Anderson, Trevor Horne (vocals); Trevor Rabin (vocals, guitar); Steve Howe (guitar); Rick Wakeman, Patrick Moraz, Tony Kaye, Geoff Downes (keyboards); Chris Squire (bass); Bill Bruford, Alan White (drums). Compilation producers: Yes, David McLees. Includes liner notes by Chris Welch and Bill Martin. All tracks have been digitally remastered. Yes already had a box set in the first great rush of rock boxes in the late '80s/early '90s. Although it was pretty good, YesYears felt like it was lacking something -- it either needed more rarities, or it needed to tell the story better. Rhino's 2002 box set In a Word takes the latter approach, choosing to present the band's history (including selections from Anderson, Bruford, Wakeman, Howe) in a logical, leisurely way over five discs, sequencing them like one long, cohesive album. The sound is better than YesYears, but not drastically better than the Atlantic reissues of the mid-'90s. There are some rarities, but not many, and nothing of real note to anybody outside of the devoted collector. Its true strength is that it tells the story exceedingly well, with all the chart and radio hits accounted for, along with significant album tracks from their baroque early recordings to their records from the '90s. True, you do need to have a deep interest in Yes to get this -- and, if you do, you'll likely have much of this material already -- but if all you want is one comprehensive Yes album in your collection, this suits the bill. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine Both IN A WORD: YES and 1991's YESYEARS offer a chronological view of the pioneering prog-rock band's work throughout its many lineup changes, interspersed with a few previously unreleased tunes. YESYEARS offered a considerably higher percentage of unreleased material. But looking at it optimistically, that leaves IN A WORD, which is one disc longer, with more room to anthologize the band's recorded canon. And while the boxes have a number of classic Yes cuts in common, there is no overlap between the rarities. For Yes fans interested in bang for their buck, this five-disc box retails for about the same price as its four-disc rival.

Q (10/02, p.134) - 3 stars out of 5 - "...In the early '70s Yes did achieve moments of clarity. They peak here on Disc 2's selections from the FRAGILE and CLOSE TO THE EDGE albums..." Mojo (Publisher) (10/02, p.118) - "...Music that can still sound vital and edgy..."

The longest-running prog-rock group in the business, Yes flew on the strength of Jon Anderson's high, angelic voice and the group's instrumental virtuosity. The band began in England, rising from the ashes of pop-psych outfits like Tomorrow, Bodast, and Mabel Greer's Toyshop. Extending the technical facility of psychedelia and downplaying the trippiness, it helped forge the template for progressive rock and reigned as its most popular practitioners in the '70s. Over the years, Yes has weathered personnel changes, lawsuits, and changing public tastes while holding on to its original vision.

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