Same, actually. I put _Fragile_ and _Close to the Edge_ ahead of it, but after those, this album is amazing. It's such a cool deviation while still feeling like Yes.
IMHO, this album, Drama, is the most underrated Yes album. This song, "Into the Lens" and the final song of the record, "Tempus Fugit," have official videos available through Vevo. It was awesome to see them live, "In the Round," in 1980 was a fantastic experience! We were 3rd row! The musicianship on this album is outstanding. Yes even kept Trevor Horn as the producer for 90125! I have loved this album since I first purchased it new in 1980!! I love Chris Squire's bass, Steve Howe's electric and slide guitar work are among his best ever. And the harmonizing vocals of Trevor and Chris are perfect! 💜💜💜💜💜
I loved this song more when I really listened to Steve How's lead work. This was written by Trevor Horn, and the accessible Pop vibe is apparent, BUT they turned it into an epic, and again, Steve is the star of the show.
Alan White's phrasing is so interesting. I just dig his drumming. He in my mind is so original. To this day I can't find one drummer he copied from or one drummer that sounds like him!
I was able to speak to Alan White on the phone one time. Him & Roger Dean. This was at the 1st YesCon in Cherry Hill, NJ. It was hosted by Ed Schiaky. Ed Schiaky was the only media person to greet them at the airport when Yes came to The States for the very 1st time, for The Yes Album Tour. Band members were very fond of him, he died several years back now. I member him from WIOQ, WMMR & WMGK. Cool guy, his favorite Yes material was the Relayer album. Nice, humble man.😇
This is one of my favorite recordings EVER. Like you said the balance of transition from prog to pop with a heavy sound is perfection. Their take on the Buggles version is the next tier, and I really like the Buggles version (interested in hearing your take on that one). The sync of Squire, Downes, White & Howe during the fast rhythmic riffs is incredible. Howe uses lap steel on the intro and related sections. That's the "violin". It's pronounced Buggles as in bugs. Their "Video Killed the Radio Star" is the first video ever played on MTV. Anyways. THIS track is a masterpiece.
Incredibly overlooked album and song. Some of Yes' finest stuff. LOVE this performance. In many ways I think it's the best material and arrangements Yes ever did. Everyone in the band is really listening to each other. Which gives the music strength and an organic nature.
This song was the one that got me into Yes and prog rock overall! I was 13 (around 2007) and had some extra cash burning a hole in my pocket. I went to the local record store and got the two CDs with the coolest band names and album covers I could find. I landed on Weather Report's Black Market and Drama by Yes, neither of which I had ever heard of. So being the picky bastard I was, I also chose the most interesting song title to play first, which was this particular one. The bouncy piano, soaring pedal steel, aggressive bass, beautiful melodies and Buggles-esque vocoder go me hooked in an instant. It actually took me years to get into seriously listening other yes albums than this, since Trevor's voice was the one I had grown accustomed to, along with the overall sound of the band on this release. Nowadays I prefer Relayer, GftO and Topographic from Yes's catalogue, but Drama still has a very special place in my heart.
Re: the line "I am a camera": Yeah, I can hear it as potentially being cheesy...BUT... I was this many days old when I learned the source of the line "I am a camera" : "I am a camera with its shutter open, quite passive, recording, not thinking. Recording the man shaving at the window opposite and the woman in the kimono washing her hair. Some day, all this will have to be developed, carefully printed, fixed." - from the film GOODBYE TO BERLIN.
I came into Yes when this was current. This album & Yesshows were the current offerings at that time. 1980. I was 12 then. Yes was HUGE to me. They still are. Yes, King Crimson, ELP, Genesis ? I was obsessed with them....still am in a way. This & Yesshows started it all for me.
In the re-release & remastered version of it, there are 3 songs with Jon Anderson (still undeveloped however) that were recorded before his departure. If they were included...
The Yes fan, at the time, couldn’t accept a version of Yes with The Buggles, a pop duo, replacing Anderson and Wakeman. The music was was overshadowed by that, witch is a shame. Now, it’s viewed as a good Yes album, because the quality of the music won the fan over time.
Although I didn’t find Yes until 90125, the biggest issue seemed to be the tour. Especially the UK tour. The US tour started before the album was released and they didn’t announce that Jon and Rick had been replaced. On many bootlegs you can hear fans pointing out who Jon and Rick are to their friends, even though they aren’t there. By the UK tour, though, Trevor’s voice was shot. And the UK fans were not nearly as generous as US fans regarding the change on stage. The album itself did pretty well. It was the same year as Rush’s Permanent Waves and Duke by Genesis - all with less proggy musical directions. Drama charted higher in the UK than Tormato, but a little lower in the US. But sales weren’t as good overall for Drama, while Genesis and Rush were still building toward their commercial peaks. Of course, Yes would do that on their next album too, but with a very different lineup and origin. But I also think that the success of Asia, 90125, and the other prog bands that transitioned into the early eighties is a sign that a follow up to the direction of Drama would have done well. Trevor decided that he wasn’t a lead singer, especially in a band where he needed to sing as high as he did for Yes.
@@ComeOnIsSuchAJoy Production wise it’s night and day. I think Drama is more consistent start to finish, but I think that with better production and perhaps different arrangements or a few different songs, Tormato would have been as strong as Going for the One and Drama.
Interestingly enough, Gentle Giant had a song on their _Civilian_ album (which turned out to be their last) - also released in 1980 - called "I Am a Camera."
Civilian is a fantastic album that has that 80's sound but done GGish. It is SO underrated, and if I'm not mistaken a critic in Rolling Stone that year picked it in his top ten of the year. Yup!
This song is the most like The Buggles. I would definitely ask you to check out Buggles’ Age of Plastic: great pop beautifully produced and every track a gem with proggy leanings from Downes now and then. I love Drama because it leans to heavy and pop but not in a way which compromises their creativity and impact. This is my 2nd fav track after Machine Messiah.
To me it's the highlight of a great album. I hope someday you'll explore Horn and Downes' incredible Buggles album "Adventures In Modern Recording", especially such songs as "Beatnik", "Vermillion Sands", and their own version of "Into the Lens" entitled "I Am A Camera."
The Buggles had the first video played on MTV, “Video Killed the Radio Star”. Horn and Downes definitely brought the pop to this record. This one will grow on you. Now I can’t wait for the reaction to ‘Tempus Fugit’.
Tempus Fugit is definitely the centerpiece of the album and a great closer. You can hear it being foreshadowed a little bit in this song with Chris Squire’s bass riffs. Even more so, you can hear a callback to “The Fish,” which is the second half of “Long-Distance Runaround“ and a live solo piece often played by Squire during this period.
JustJP, I really appreciate your musical knowledge and perceptions. I first heard this song coming home from a community college and almost drove off the road with the sound change around 5:40 into the song. I had to pull over before I lost it. I am totally convinced that this song and the album is Chris Squire's bass at his very best. I am glad you've learned to appreciate their music. You may find time will blind you, this to just remind youm that all is meant to be. Keep the faith.
One really cool thing about Chris Squire I always liked besides his bass playing …His background vocals blend so good with Trevor H. just as well as he did with Jon Anderson. So well that you almost don’t notice when they’re singing together how tight the singing is with each other. It makes the lead vocals that much better. This song is a great example of that.
Imo, the spacing in this song is just sublime Justin. It lifts thisvopus to another level imho. ❤️ This is most probably my fave on Drama.. Its got amazing keyboards by Geoff.. That off beat rhythm in the verse, and chorus is just stunning butty. 😊 Love the chorus, Steves guitar work is so Uplifting. Oh.. And the drop during "by the waterside" is absolutely superb.. Yes at their best imho Justin. 👍 👍 👍 A great song, definitely.. A Yes classic.. Most definitely Justin. Fab review once again my friend.. I could see you were getting this quite early on too. 😊 😊 😊 This is why i will always defend this masterpiece ❤️ Its got way too many highs for me.. Awesome ❤️
This music creates interesting moods that fit perfectly with the lyrics. Howe's pedal steel sounds like we're embarking on an adventure, while his Telecaster introduces a feeling of wonder. The ticking 4ths on his Coral Electric Sitar is reminiscent of a timepiece, and the chorused echoes on his Telecaster remind me of glittering ocean waves. The drama of the bass, backed by the others, adds to the story being captured by the camera. I don't know another song that has this mood... maybe a little of the guitar echoes on Jimi Hendrix' "May This Be Love". BTW, have you checked out any of Béla Fleck And The Flecktones? Kinda prog jazz. Your reviews are the best, keep doing your thing.
Yeah this one was a song the Buggles boys brought in and the band Yessed it up. I love it! Unlike the other big Drama songs Trevor's voice really takes the lead and I think it sounds great. I personally love this sound and wish they could have continued with this into the 80s, instead of the 90125 sound which in my opinion has dated much less well.
I dig the way you review my favorite band. This album is incredible. This song evokes many emotions. The production jumped exponentially with Horn's influence. Trevor has gone on to be a renowned producer.
0:03 - Ohhhhhhhhh...! I see, right because that's the name of the song I just clicked on on the UA-cam video. 0:32 - I wear just glasses for reading. I'm far-sighted, so I don't wear glasses pretty much unless I'm reading or looking at something with detail. I would wear my glasses just any old time, but I actually find it slightly distracting when trying to look around me if I have my glasses on, so I'm often switching back and forth between them throughout the day. Your question made me wonder if that's the case for you? 13:21- Yeah, this back and forth, blasting off and then just letting it fizzle out is the sky. That's awesome. Great stuff, JP, all of it. Have a good night!
I love this song. I sent you the buggles version via Twitter- hope you listen! In my opinion, that buggles album has a lot of great tracks (an album I only bought because Trevor & Geoff were in Yes).
Being 64 and an early Yes fan since the 1970 Time and a Word album I pretty much disregarded their stuff after Relayer as too "pop". Your reaction to Machine Messiah got me rethinking this and I went out and bought the Drama album on vinyl and gave it a full listen. Surprisingly I have enjoyed it. Certainly not to the extent of their earlier albums but enough to make me want to keep listening. Thanks for teaching an old dog a new trick.
This is an important Album for me. It's the first contemporary Yes album. In other words, it was the first NEW released by Yes when I was actually into the band. It was grade 11 if I remember correctly. Lots of airplay of the whole album up here in Toronto. 1980 was also the year they played in the round at the fabled Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto in front of 18,000.
The early Yes albums were to my mind quite outstanding, I grew up with them. I actually never gave the obvious upshift a second thought, to me Jon, and Rick had never left. This is not the best Yes album, but it sure does have some power and hooks to really make you want to keep on listening, love it!
Trevor Horn was involved with 90125 as the producer, and I think he is credited as a co-writer on a track or two on that album, too. This is one of my favorite Yes album, it has a great energy. More meat on Howe's guitar, and love Downes' work. Got into his "New Dance Orchestra" after hearing this. Like some others said, this song was recorded as "I Am a Camera" on the Buggles album "Adventures in Modern Recording." Happy Holidays!
Hey Justin, Great vid! and once again an additional insight that you have uncovered for a song that I absolutely loved way back when it came out. I was thinking as I listened to it "with" you that it sounded like a pop song cut apart and progerized (my new word). Then when you read after the song ended that it actually started with the new member's old band and was then "Yesified" it matched exactly what I was thinking: a pop song chopped up into a prog song. If Yes would do an album of this type of effort taking existing pop songs and covering them with their talent I think it would make for a great collection of songs -maybe start with the Baby Shark song (lol).
I love this whole album, too. Very underrated in the Yes canon. Squire, Howe, and White were badasses on this album-and the Buggles found their footing in something other than new wave, but infused that (at the time) modern sensibility into Yes. BTW, it’s pronounced BUG-els, not BYu-gles.
Thanks Jp.. love your comments as you are always honest and understanding. Some of the playing on this is brill and a second album might have been interesting in letting the guys play out with the restrictions of their past music.
It's probably like you've mentioned that it's a song that has it's prog leanings but with some new wave/pop 'peekaboos' with the 'I am a camera' verses. It's definitely catchy and quirky.
Anyone else remember an 80's comedy movie where an asian character yells out "I am a camera?" I think it was either REVENGE OF THE NERDS, or BETTER OFF DEAD, or something like that. Every time I hear this song, I think of that line, but I can't remember what movie it was! (But...while googling it, I found out that the ORIGINAL line was from an older movie, GOODBYE TO BERLIN: "I am a camera with its shutter open, quite passive, recording, not thinking. Recording the man shaving at the window opposite and the woman in the kimono washing her hair. Some day, all this will have to be developed, carefully printed, fixed." And so, I learned something today...)
I’m A Full Blown YES FAN to A Good PORTION of their Music so Obviously for me personally some music they have recorded and released that I Even haven’t Listened to long enough to get the feeling like I do with All of the Early Music they have released Over the Decades
Hey Justin - In my view, Into The Lens is tied with Machine Messiah for best song on the album. Steve just goes OFF in really fun & intricate ways, and even though they have him recorded back a bit he still shines straight through. Alan is THE most underrated drummer on the planet and this song showcases his ability brilliantly. Masterful fills throughout. Indeed, this is the best that Trevor sounds on the whole album. Great reaction and I figured you would like this one.
Hello, JP. Dave again from London. Great review of my favourite track from Drama, an album which thanks to you I am reappraising. Not sure about your assertion that it sounds like Dream Theater, which (much as I love the band) are usually heavier and more aggressive. Maybe it would not be out of place on Falling Into Infinity or The Astonishing. The poppy-ness of Drama probably came from the Buggles influence, but I think there is also a Yes Album feel to this track. Love the 'military' riff, similar to the one Kansas used later on their instrumental Musicatto.
Yeah, Drama is almost a Chris Squire solo album. But a lot of Yes fans also name it as Alan's second best performance on a Yes album (after Relayer). "Into the Lens" was a Buggles song given to Chris, Steve and Alan to "Yes-ify". The Buggles version can be found on their second album. A good Buggles song for you to cover would be either "Astroboy" or "Elstree".
Into the lens was a sleeper song for me. When I made my mix tape off my friends albums, I selected Machine Messiah, Does it Really Happen, and Tempus Fugit from this album to put on it. I really didn't get exposed until I purchased the album for myself. Also, it's pronounced the "Bug Elle's". Theirs was the first video on MTV "Video Killed the Radio Star"
Oh, Justin, BTW, it's The Buggles (bug-gulls) and they had the first ever video played on MTV, "Video Killed the Radio Star" on 1Aug1981!! Music trivia! 💜💜
I agree with the consensus that this will definitely grow on you, because it grew on me. This is one of my favorite tunes off of the album. I also discovered recently that the Buggles have their own version of this and it’s called literally “I Am A Camera,” from the album that they did directly following this recording. So this must’ve been their song that they brought to the group.
I was waiting for this song. That opening riff buries itself in your ear canal and won't leave. As far as moving onto 90120 three years later, the only members to continue onto that album were Squire and White with Trevor Horn producing only. And also Buggles is pronounced Bug-les.
Trevor actually has a very interesting music history. He had a hand in MANY music projects as both producer, engineer and musician throughout the 80's and beyond. Some notables that caught me off guard when I learned of them: Malcolm Mclaren (Buffalo Girls), Propaganda, Frankie Goes to Hollywood, Art of Noise... and the list goes on. He is such a down to earth guy, too. He would be fun to hang out with.
Drama is a really interesting album for Steve Howe. Four of the five tracks he plays electric guitar on, he plays a Telecaster, the same one he used on all of the Relayer album. And for Tempus Fugit, he plays a Stratocaster, which he rarely if ever used on Yes studio tracks (except maybe for Parallels.) For Into the Lens, he used the Telecaster, a Fender lap steel guitar, and a Danelectro electric sitar, all three of which are shown in the video. Toward the end of the song, when he is soloing during the climax, the video shows him playing the electric sitar, when it is so clearly the Telecaster on the recording. My guess is the video director told him to play it for the solo because it would look cool.
I am a camera, camera, camera!!!! One of my favorite Yes tunes. Love the Peter Frampton effect during the jam near the end. The Bungles were an 80s pop band if there ever was one. Check out their one hit wonder Video Killed the Radio. Hopefully Tempus is in the can and ready to go soon.
Into the Lens is the unsung hero of Drama. Over the years I have really come to appreciate it. Whenever I am driving and I want to listen to Drama, I'll skip Machine Messiah (great song, but I've heard it so many times) and go to White Car, and make sure I at least listen through Into the Lens. Yes actually did a video for this song (and for Tempus Fugit, the last song on the album,) and it's a lot of fun to watch.
Trevor Horn produced 90125 and co-wrote Owner of a Lonely Heart. He even sings a bit on the album which is cool hearing him and Jon singing on the same album!
Love this song. It almost made my top 40 list of Prog that's 8+ minutes long. It's just a great song. Also, I think he's referring to himself when he says "I am a camera". The lens is our eyes. So 'Into the Lens' seems to be referring to into our own soul. "All is meant to be". That's how I take it anyway.
Re: the move towards pop: Actually, it's a move BACK towards pop. Their first 3 albums were not quite prog yet (not quite pop by modern standards either, but pop for their day. But the pop in the late 60's was more musically varied.) Bill Martin, in MUSIC OF YES: STRUCTURE AND VISION IN PROGRESSIVE ROCK, traces the development from pop to prog back to pop in a mirror-like fashion.
@@psbarrow Nah, I don't. Granted, it was transitional to the prog side, but still with a foot planted in pop. I'd refer anyone interested in that discussion to Bill Martin's MUSIC OF YES: STRUCTURE AND VISION IN PROGRESSIVE ROCK. Merry Christmas.
@@joemaurone7923 I don't need a book to tell me that "The Yes Album" was a quantum leap from their first two albums, doing covers, bringing in an orchestra, and having no clear idea of where they were headed. Their third album had nothing to do with "pop", foot planted or otherwise.
@@joemaurone7923 As an atheist, I don't recognise Christmas, plus in Oz it's summer and most just head to the beach. My mind is only "made up" because there is no evidence before me to make me change it. But yes, I can get behind peace.
Dream Theater did cover "Machine Messiah," with Steve Howe guesting on guitar! I think it was way back when Derek Sherinian was in the band. I don't think it's ever been on an official release, but the video is out there somewhere.
Thanks Justin. Don't know if you want to play the Buggles I Am A Camera in comparison ? 90125 was a new line up so not sure about the continuity. Chris and Alan were working with Trevor Rabin as a band called Cinema. When they enlisted the help of Tony Kaye they realised it was pretty much Yes and got in touch with Jon soon after. I think a lot of Drama's sound carried over into Asia with Steve Howe and Geoff Downes. I used to have a copy of Asia's first album signed by Carl Palmer. :)
Thank you for reacting to something outside of the 70' favorites, ( The Yes Album to Going for the One). Hopefully you get to Tormato from 78 and their later material.
The first ( and sometimes only ) track I go to when I revisit this album is Tempus Fugit . Perhaps for you , after listening to it , ' the last shall become first ' ( putting it ahead of Machine Messiah )
Way better than last song Great playing Biggest thing lacking is Jon's lyrics and sensibility which still kind of makes it "Yes light" But certainly way better than most stuff out at the time Howe and Squire always amazing
The Buggles (a name mix of 'The Bugs' and 'The Beatles' 😉) had a massive hit with the song 'Video Killed The Radio Star', not long before they agreed to join Yes to replace the recently-departed Jon Anderson and Rick Wakeman; That song was (very aptly) the very first one to be played on MTV, too! There's also quite a good Buggles version, released in '82 and renamed into 'I Am A Camera'. There's even a Kim Carnes cover version of *that* version! 😄
Have you ever reacted to (or even listened to) any Be Bop Deluxe? I'd love for them to get some exposure, even if it's been 40 years since they disbanded :-D
Bill Nelson one of my favourite guitarist and like Howe has a very colourful pallet in his guitar sound plus some beautiful ambient stuff on par with Eno. ( check out 'After the Satellite Sings' one of my fav Bill Nelson albums )
Machine Messiah, Into The Lens and Tempus Fugit are superstellar tracks. That's half the album. If you are a Yes fan who doesn't like Drama, I suggest that you haven't approached it with an open mind. Someone else probably already corrected the pronunciation, but it is "Bug" gles, like an insect. A play on the Beatles presumably. If you aren't familiar with "Video Killed The Radio Star" that was a ubiquitious 80s hit single by the Buggles and the first video played on MTV.
The Drama album was the perfect bridge between the 1970s and 1980s versions of Yes, a wonderful but underrated album. I think of this album as what would have happened if Steve Howe had been a part of Yes in the 1980s. When Yes brought in Trevor Rabin in the 80s, Trevor Horn was the producer.
Yes absorbed The Buggles, whose giant hit was "Video Killed the Radio Star". They also wrote and recorded "I Am a Camera". The novel of the same told of Berlin during the Jazz Age of the 1920s and 30s, when the Nazis were doing away with the "decadent arts". The 1974 movie, "Cabaret" is based on this novel. It starred Liza Minelli and Michael York. The Buggles' version is shorter and simpler, more contemplative. Both versions are excellent.
Dream Theater covered Machine Messiah with Steve Howe as a special guest. Well worth a listen and a watch! You can find some footage fo this concert (Ronnie Scott, 1995) on YT. I love this album. Not a fan of Horn on vocals or Downes on keys, but the music is very solid.
The original version of this song appears on the Buggles album "Adventures In Modern Recording," where It's called "I Am A Camera." Check it out! It's well worth a listen. (Oops. OK, so he says that at the end of the video. Yeah. It's a cool song on both albums.)
This was the song that leaded me to Yes, I was a fan of the Buggles and saw that their song I am a Camera is just another version of Into the Lens. I had never heard of Yes before and listening to this song was a mind blowing experience. This lead me onto Drama and then to Fragile when Roundabout became a meme and then to all their other wonderful albums
I like Fly From Here too. I have an autographed copy of the CD. All of the band members signed it for me. Steve Howe is awesome. Even if he does look like Granny Clampett now. LOL
The Yuggles! Trevor and Geoff definitely brought a new wave sensibility into the band while still acknowledging the progressive roots. I recall Trevor saying something to the effect that Geoff was less noodley than Wakeman. Try Fly From Here for a similar vibe. Also check out Adventures in Modern Recording.
Incidentally, Gentle Giant also has a song called “I Am a Camera“ from their Civilian album, also from 1980. It’s not bad but it’s not nearly as good as this. That was Giant in their AOR phase, while Yes was still clearly and unapologetically prog, in spite of sprinkling in more poppier elements. The Buggles were obviously a huge influence on that front, as they were an artsy New Wave band.
@@JustJP - Absolutely! And I wish you a great week also! 😀 You've been doing videos on many artists I like (Even on XTC, oh emm gee! 😄), so just as well weather's been sh*te here in NZ and thus just right for checking those out! 😁👍
It is interesting to compare this with U.K and Asia. Almost like three sides of the same musical direction. More streamlined but enough parts that need fast and precise fingers, very melodic. And obviously the reformed Yes went on with "Owner Of The Lonely Heart" and so on.
Probably my pick for best ever Yes song recorded after 1974. Perfect fusion of their sound and the Buggles’ new wave pop sensibility, and a wonderful showcase for Steve Howe.
The first time I heard this song, it did grab me and held me. I remember thinking that it was pretty cool actually. And that I enjoyed it especially because it was played on FM radio every once in a while back at that time.
Buggles is pronounced like ‘goggles’ but with a B... lol they were the group who wrote Video Killed the Radio Star, which was the first song ever played on MTV
Even though I am forever a Jon Anderson for life fan, this album is in my top five YES works of all time!
I love this song and this album. Drama is my 3rd fave Yes album.
Same, actually. I put _Fragile_ and _Close to the Edge_ ahead of it, but after those, this album is amazing. It's such a cool deviation while still feeling like Yes.
Into the lens is one of my favorites, such a masterpiece. I also like the Yes video clip of this very much.
This was the first yes song I heard and then I was hooked. I love this tune.
IMHO, this album, Drama, is the most underrated Yes album. This song, "Into the Lens" and the final song of the record, "Tempus Fugit," have official videos available through Vevo. It was awesome to see them live, "In the Round," in 1980 was a fantastic experience! We were 3rd row! The musicianship on this album is outstanding. Yes even kept Trevor Horn as the producer for 90125! I have loved this album since I first purchased it new in 1980!! I love Chris Squire's bass, Steve Howe's electric and slide guitar work are among his best ever. And the harmonizing vocals of Trevor and Chris are perfect! 💜💜💜💜💜
I loved this song more when I really listened to Steve How's lead work. This was written by Trevor Horn, and the accessible Pop vibe is apparent, BUT they turned it into an epic, and again, Steve is the star of the show.
Alan White's phrasing is so interesting. I just dig his drumming. He in my mind is so original. To this day I can't find one drummer he copied from or one drummer that sounds like him!
I was able to speak to Alan White on the phone one time. Him & Roger Dean. This was at the 1st YesCon in Cherry Hill, NJ. It was hosted by Ed Schiaky. Ed Schiaky was the only media person to greet them at the airport when Yes came to The States for the very 1st time, for The Yes Album Tour. Band members were very fond of him, he died several years back now. I member him from WIOQ, WMMR & WMGK. Cool guy, his favorite Yes material was the Relayer album. Nice, humble man.😇
This is one of my favorite recordings EVER. Like you said the balance of transition from prog to pop with a heavy sound is perfection. Their take on the Buggles version is the next tier, and I really like the Buggles version (interested in hearing your take on that one). The sync of Squire, Downes, White & Howe during the fast rhythmic riffs is incredible. Howe uses lap steel on the intro and related sections. That's the "violin". It's pronounced Buggles as in bugs. Their "Video Killed the Radio Star" is the first video ever played on MTV. Anyways. THIS track is a masterpiece.
Incredibly overlooked album and song. Some of Yes' finest stuff. LOVE this performance. In many ways I think it's the best material and arrangements Yes ever did. Everyone in the band is really listening to each other. Which gives the music strength and an organic nature.
This song was the one that got me into Yes and prog rock overall! I was 13 (around 2007) and had some extra cash burning a hole in my pocket. I went to the local record store and got the two CDs with the coolest band names and album covers I could find. I landed on Weather Report's Black Market and Drama by Yes, neither of which I had ever heard of.
So being the picky bastard I was, I also chose the most interesting song title to play first, which was this particular one. The bouncy piano, soaring pedal steel, aggressive bass, beautiful melodies and Buggles-esque vocoder go me hooked in an instant.
It actually took me years to get into seriously listening other yes albums than this, since Trevor's voice was the one I had grown accustomed to, along with the overall sound of the band on this release. Nowadays I prefer Relayer, GftO and Topographic from Yes's catalogue, but Drama still has a very special place in my heart.
A brilliant song with great instrumentals by all especially by Alan, Steve and even Geoff
Wow it's quite unusual to get into Yes via Drama, but that's so cool. What a shame they didn't more with this line up!
@@jonnykhatru Drama kinda was the perfect gateway drug for me for it’s accessibilty and that slightly heavier grit that I was into at the time!
@@jonnykhatru That's how I got into them, from Asia before that.
Just you wait...try "Close to the Edge."
Re: the line "I am a camera": Yeah, I can hear it as potentially being cheesy...BUT...
I was this many days old when I learned the source of the line "I am a camera" : "I am a camera with its shutter open, quite passive, recording, not thinking. Recording the man shaving at the window opposite and the woman in the kimono washing her hair. Some day, all this will have to be developed, carefully printed, fixed." - from the film GOODBYE TO BERLIN.
Mmmm, thats pretty cool
🤩
The Observing Self in each life is a camera in that sense.
I came into Yes when this was current. This album & Yesshows were the current offerings at that time. 1980. I was 12 then. Yes was HUGE to me. They still are. Yes, King Crimson, ELP, Genesis ? I was obsessed with them....still am in a way. This & Yesshows started it all for me.
My recollection is most Yes fans didn't care for this incarnation of Yes, but I liked this album.
In the re-release & remastered version of it, there are 3 songs with Jon Anderson (still undeveloped however) that were recorded before his departure.
If they were included...
I question the sanity of any Yes fan who thinks _Tormato_ is a better album than this.
The Yes fan, at the time, couldn’t accept a version of Yes with The Buggles, a pop duo, replacing Anderson and Wakeman. The music was was overshadowed by that, witch is a shame. Now, it’s viewed as a good Yes album, because the quality of the music won the fan over time.
Although I didn’t find Yes until 90125, the biggest issue seemed to be the tour. Especially the UK tour.
The US tour started before the album was released and they didn’t announce that Jon and Rick had been replaced. On many bootlegs you can hear fans pointing out who Jon and Rick are to their friends, even though they aren’t there.
By the UK tour, though, Trevor’s voice was shot. And the UK fans were not nearly as generous as US fans regarding the change on stage.
The album itself did pretty well. It was the same year as Rush’s Permanent Waves and Duke by Genesis - all with less proggy musical directions. Drama charted higher in the UK than Tormato, but a little lower in the US. But sales weren’t as good overall for Drama, while Genesis and Rush were still building toward their commercial peaks.
Of course, Yes would do that on their next album too, but with a very different lineup and origin. But I also think that the success of Asia, 90125, and the other prog bands that transitioned into the early eighties is a sign that a follow up to the direction of Drama would have done well. Trevor decided that he wasn’t a lead singer, especially in a band where he needed to sing as high as he did for Yes.
@@ComeOnIsSuchAJoy Production wise it’s night and day. I think Drama is more consistent start to finish, but I think that with better production and perhaps different arrangements or a few different songs, Tormato would have been as strong as Going for the One and Drama.
Interestingly enough, Gentle Giant had a song on their _Civilian_ album (which turned out to be their last) - also released in 1980 - called "I Am a Camera."
God that song Rocks!
Civilian is a fantastic album that has that 80's sound but done GGish. It is SO underrated, and if I'm not mistaken a critic in Rolling Stone that year picked it in his top ten of the year. Yup!
That Gentle Giant album is really solid.
Inside Out from that album is one of my favorites... So damn good.
Hey Justin, when are we getting more Gentle Giant? 🤔
Although a bugle is a horn, Trevor Horn is a Buggle with 2 'g's.
Yo so funny
This song is the most like The Buggles. I would definitely ask you to check out Buggles’ Age of Plastic: great pop beautifully produced and every track a gem with proggy leanings from Downes now and then. I love Drama because it leans to heavy and pop but not in a way which compromises their creativity and impact. This is my 2nd fav track after Machine Messiah.
To me it's the highlight of a great album. I hope someday you'll explore Horn and Downes' incredible Buggles album "Adventures In Modern Recording", especially such songs as "Beatnik", "Vermillion Sands", and their own version of "Into the Lens" entitled "I Am A Camera."
The Buggles had the first video played on MTV, “Video Killed the Radio Star”. Horn and Downes definitely brought the pop to this record.
This one will grow on you. Now I can’t wait for the reaction to ‘Tempus Fugit’.
They were already starting to head in that direction on _Tormato._
It grew on me like a malignant cancer does.
Tempus Fugit is definitely the centerpiece of the album and a great closer. You can hear it being foreshadowed a little bit in this song with Chris Squire’s bass riffs. Even more so, you can hear a callback to “The Fish,” which is the second half of “Long-Distance Runaround“ and a live solo piece often played by Squire during this period.
Tempos Fugit is one of my favorite Yes songs.
I wonder if he'll recognize Video Killed the Radio Star as it's definitely made the rounds.
Look up "The Buggles - I Am a Camera" and get a glimpse of how Yes transformed it!
Kim Carnes also has an interesting cover version, it sounds like a 50/50 blend of the Buggles and Yes versions.
Holy hell I just listened to it! It's good!
both great versions..!
Howe and Trevor Horn are almost doing a blues "call and response", with a vocal line, then an electric guitar reply.
JustJP, I really appreciate your musical knowledge and perceptions. I first heard this song coming home from a community college and almost drove off the road with the sound change around 5:40 into the song. I had to pull over before I lost it. I am totally convinced that this song and the album is Chris Squire's bass at his very best. I am glad you've learned to appreciate their music. You may find time will blind you, this to just remind youm that all is meant to be. Keep the faith.
Thank you so much ADK, I really appreciate your words
One really cool thing about Chris Squire I always liked besides his bass playing …His background vocals blend so good with Trevor H. just as well as he did with Jon Anderson. So well that you almost don’t notice when they’re singing together how tight the singing is with each other. It makes the lead vocals that much better. This song is a great example of that.
This is my favorite YES album!
Howe is ridiculously on point with his pedal steel playing on this one.
Imo, the spacing in this song is just sublime Justin.
It lifts thisvopus to another level imho. ❤️
This is most probably my fave on Drama.. Its got amazing keyboards by Geoff.. That off beat rhythm in the verse, and chorus is just stunning butty. 😊
Love the chorus, Steves guitar work is so Uplifting.
Oh.. And the drop during "by the waterside" is absolutely superb.. Yes at their best imho Justin. 👍 👍 👍
A great song, definitely.. A Yes classic.. Most definitely Justin.
Fab review once again my friend.. I could see you were getting this quite early on too. 😊 😊 😊
This is why i will always defend this masterpiece ❤️
Its got way too many highs for me.. Awesome ❤️
This music creates interesting moods that fit perfectly with the lyrics. Howe's pedal steel sounds like we're embarking on an adventure, while his Telecaster introduces a feeling of wonder. The ticking 4ths on his Coral Electric Sitar is reminiscent of a timepiece, and the chorused echoes on his Telecaster remind me of glittering ocean waves. The drama of the bass, backed by the others, adds to the story being captured by the camera. I don't know another song that has this mood... maybe a little of the guitar echoes on Jimi Hendrix' "May This Be Love".
BTW, have you checked out any of Béla Fleck And The Flecktones? Kinda prog jazz.
Your reviews are the best, keep doing your thing.
Yeah this one was a song the Buggles boys brought in and the band Yessed it up. I love it! Unlike the other big Drama songs Trevor's voice really takes the lead and I think it sounds great. I personally love this sound and wish they could have continued with this into the 80s, instead of the 90125 sound which in my opinion has dated much less well.
I dig the way you review my favorite band. This album is incredible. This song evokes many emotions. The production jumped exponentially with Horn's influence. Trevor has gone on to be a renowned producer.
Ty so much Jian!
Steve Howe use 3 different guitars.
Fender Telecaster
Fender Steele guitar
Danelectro Sitar guitar.
And he sounds GREAT in this album top to bottom, I wonder if he was still plugging into those Fender Tweens
0:03 - Ohhhhhhhhh...! I see, right because that's the name of the song I just clicked on on the UA-cam video.
0:32 - I wear just glasses for reading. I'm far-sighted, so I don't wear glasses pretty much unless I'm reading or looking at something with detail. I would wear my glasses just any old time, but I actually find it slightly distracting when trying to look around me if I have my glasses on, so I'm often switching back and forth between them throughout the day. Your question made me wonder if that's the case for you?
13:21- Yeah, this back and forth, blasting off and then just letting it fizzle out is the sky. That's awesome.
Great stuff, JP, all of it. Have a good night!
I love this song. I sent you the buggles version via Twitter- hope you listen! In my opinion, that buggles album has a lot of great tracks (an album I only bought because Trevor & Geoff were in Yes).
one of their finest in my opinion.
Being 64 and an early Yes fan since the 1970 Time and a Word album I pretty much disregarded their stuff after Relayer as too "pop". Your reaction to Machine Messiah got me rethinking this and I went out and bought the Drama album on vinyl and gave it a full listen. Surprisingly I have enjoyed it. Certainly not to the extent of their earlier albums but enough to make me want to keep listening. Thanks for teaching an old dog a new trick.
This is an important Album for me. It's the first contemporary Yes album. In other words, it was the first NEW released by Yes when I was actually into the band. It was grade 11 if I remember correctly. Lots of airplay of the whole album up here in Toronto. 1980 was also the year they played in the round at the fabled Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto in front of 18,000.
I don't know if Dream Theater covered this one, but they DID cover "Machine Messiah", you can find that on the UA-cams...
If ever Yes flirted with prog metal, it was this album. This was the most edge they ever had. And it's such a cool, refreshing element to their craft.
Yes I saw! Was very cool
The early Yes albums were to my mind quite outstanding, I grew up with them. I actually never gave the obvious upshift a second thought, to me Jon, and Rick had never left. This is not the best Yes album, but it sure does have some power and hooks to really make you want to keep on listening, love it!
The Dynamics are so ridiculous, But that's YES!
JustJP is a camera, confirmed.
📷
Trevor Horn was involved with 90125 as the producer, and I think he is credited as a co-writer on a track or two on that album, too. This is one of my favorite Yes album, it has a great energy. More meat on Howe's guitar, and love Downes' work. Got into his "New Dance Orchestra" after hearing this. Like some others said, this song was recorded as "I Am a Camera" on the Buggles album "Adventures in Modern Recording." Happy Holidays!
Hey Justin, Great vid! and once again an additional insight that you have uncovered for a song that I absolutely loved way back when it came out. I was thinking as I listened to it "with" you that it sounded like a pop song cut apart and progerized (my new word). Then when you read after the song ended that it actually started with the new member's old band and was then "Yesified" it matched exactly what I was thinking: a pop song chopped up into a prog song. If Yes would do an album of this type of effort taking existing pop songs and covering them with their talent I think it would make for a great collection of songs -maybe start with the Baby Shark song (lol).
It's worth watching the official video of this song on YT. Also Tempus Fugit from the same album. Really added to my appreciation of the music.
13:56 - When you'll get to 'The Ritual' finally (& hopefully soon) you'll see where Squire took it from.
I love this whole album, too. Very underrated in the Yes canon. Squire, Howe, and White were badasses on this album-and the Buggles found their footing in something other than new wave, but infused that (at the time) modern sensibility into Yes. BTW, it’s pronounced BUG-els, not BYu-gles.
Thanks Jp.. love your comments as you are always honest and understanding. Some of the playing on this is brill and a second album might have been interesting in letting the guys play out with the restrictions of their past music.
Ty grey🙃
It's probably like you've mentioned that it's a song that has it's prog leanings but with some new wave/pop 'peekaboos' with the 'I am a camera' verses. It's definitely catchy and quirky.
Being a photographer myself I sorta absolutely love this song
Anyone else remember an 80's comedy movie where an asian character yells out "I am a camera?" I think it was either REVENGE OF THE NERDS, or BETTER OFF DEAD, or something like that. Every time I hear this song, I think of that line, but I can't remember what movie it was!
(But...while googling it, I found out that the ORIGINAL line was from an older movie, GOODBYE TO BERLIN: "I am a camera with its shutter open, quite passive, recording, not thinking. Recording the man shaving at the window opposite and the woman in the kimono washing her hair. Some day, all this will have to be developed, carefully printed, fixed." And so, I learned something today...)
This is my favorite track on DRAMA!👍🏻❤️☮️✌🏻🎹🎼
I’m A Full Blown YES FAN to A Good PORTION of their Music so Obviously for me personally some music they have recorded and released that I Even haven’t Listened to long enough to get the feeling like I do with All of the Early Music they have released Over the Decades
Hey Justin - In my view, Into The Lens is tied with Machine Messiah for best song on the album. Steve just goes OFF in really fun & intricate ways, and even though they have him recorded back a bit he still shines straight through. Alan is THE most underrated drummer on the planet and this song showcases his ability brilliantly. Masterful fills throughout. Indeed, this is the best that Trevor sounds on the whole album. Great reaction and I figured you would like this one.
TY Tolemac!
Hello, JP. Dave again from London. Great review of my favourite track from Drama, an album which thanks to you I am reappraising. Not sure about your assertion that it sounds like Dream Theater, which (much as I love the band) are usually heavier and more aggressive. Maybe it would not be out of place on Falling Into Infinity or The Astonishing. The poppy-ness of Drama probably came from the Buggles influence, but I think there is also a Yes Album feel to this track. Love the 'military' riff, similar to the one Kansas used later on their instrumental Musicatto.
The Buggles came from "Bruce Wholley and the Camera Club". nice trivia...Thomas Dolby played on that first and only album
Yeah, Drama is almost a Chris Squire solo album. But a lot of Yes fans also name it as Alan's second best performance on a Yes album (after Relayer). "Into the Lens" was a Buggles song given to Chris, Steve and Alan to "Yes-ify". The Buggles version can be found on their second album. A good Buggles song for you to cover would be either "Astroboy" or "Elstree".
Into the lens was a sleeper song for me. When I made my mix tape off my friends albums, I selected Machine Messiah, Does it Really Happen, and Tempus Fugit from this album to put on it. I really didn't get exposed until I purchased the album for myself.
Also, it's pronounced the "Bug Elle's". Theirs was the first video on MTV "Video Killed the Radio Star"
Oh, Justin, BTW, it's The Buggles (bug-gulls) and they had the first ever video played on MTV, "Video Killed the Radio Star" on 1Aug1981!! Music trivia! 💜💜
Ty!
My favorite album...masterpiece
I agree with the consensus that this will definitely grow on you, because it grew on me. This is one of my favorite tunes off of the album. I also discovered recently that the Buggles have their own version of this and it’s called literally “I Am A Camera,” from the album that they did directly following this recording. So this must’ve been their song that they brought to the group.
They are from the Buggles. They’re big hit was a Video Killed the Radio Star. The first video ever played on MTV
I was waiting for this song. That opening riff buries itself in your ear canal and won't leave.
As far as moving onto 90120 three years later, the only members to continue onto that album were Squire and White with Trevor Horn producing only.
And also Buggles is pronounced Bug-les.
Trevor actually has a very interesting music history. He had a hand in MANY music projects as both producer, engineer and musician throughout the 80's and beyond.
Some notables that caught me off guard when I learned of them: Malcolm Mclaren (Buffalo Girls), Propaganda, Frankie Goes to Hollywood, Art of Noise... and the list goes on.
He is such a down to earth guy, too. He would be fun to hang out with.
I really enjoy the whole album. Powerful through and through
Great- two more songs ❤️ love this!!!
Drama is a really interesting album for Steve Howe. Four of the five tracks he plays electric guitar on, he plays a Telecaster, the same one he used on all of the Relayer album. And for Tempus Fugit, he plays a Stratocaster, which he rarely if ever used on Yes studio tracks (except maybe for Parallels.) For Into the Lens, he used the Telecaster, a Fender lap steel guitar, and a Danelectro electric sitar, all three of which are shown in the video. Toward the end of the song, when he is soloing during the climax, the video shows him playing the electric sitar, when it is so clearly the Telecaster on the recording. My guess is the video director told him to play it for the solo because it would look cool.
I am a camera, camera, camera!!!! One of my favorite Yes tunes. Love the Peter Frampton effect during the jam near the end. The Bungles were an 80s pop band if there ever was one. Check out their one hit wonder Video Killed the Radio. Hopefully Tempus is in the can and ready to go soon.
Into the Lens is the unsung hero of Drama. Over the years I have really come to appreciate it. Whenever I am driving and I want to listen to Drama, I'll skip Machine Messiah (great song, but I've heard it so many times) and go to White Car, and make sure I at least listen through Into the Lens. Yes actually did a video for this song (and for Tempus Fugit, the last song on the album,) and it's a lot of fun to watch.
Trevor Horn produced 90125 and co-wrote Owner of a Lonely Heart. He even sings a bit on the album which is cool hearing him and Jon singing on the same album!
Love this song. It almost made my top 40 list of Prog that's 8+ minutes long. It's just a great song.
Also, I think he's referring to himself when he says "I am a camera". The lens is our eyes. So 'Into the Lens' seems to be referring to into our own soul. "All is meant to be". That's how I take it anyway.
Ah, could be could be
Re: the move towards pop: Actually, it's a move BACK towards pop. Their first 3 albums were not quite prog yet (not quite pop by modern standards either, but pop for their day. But the pop in the late 60's was more musically varied.) Bill Martin, in MUSIC OF YES: STRUCTURE AND VISION IN PROGRESSIVE ROCK, traces the development from pop to prog back to pop in a mirror-like fashion.
If you think "The Yes Album" (their third album) was "pop for their day", you need your head examined.
@@psbarrow Nah, I don't. Granted, it was transitional to the prog side, but still with a foot planted in pop. I'd refer anyone interested in that discussion to Bill Martin's MUSIC OF YES: STRUCTURE AND VISION IN PROGRESSIVE ROCK.
Merry Christmas.
@@joemaurone7923 I don't need a book to tell me that "The Yes Album" was a quantum leap from their first two albums, doing covers, bringing in an orchestra, and having no clear idea of where they were headed. Their third album had nothing to do with "pop", foot planted or otherwise.
@@psbarrow Wasn't referring the book to you, as you clearly have made up your mind.
Go in peace. Merry Christmas.
@@joemaurone7923 As an atheist, I don't recognise Christmas, plus in Oz it's summer and most just head to the beach. My mind is only "made up" because there is no evidence before me to make me change it. But yes, I can get behind peace.
That was a funny intro 😁
😁
Dream Theater did cover "Machine Messiah," with Steve Howe guesting on guitar! I think it was way back when Derek Sherinian was in the band. I don't think it's ever been on an official release, but the video is out there somewhere.
Thanks Justin. Don't know if you want to play the Buggles I Am A Camera in comparison ? 90125 was a new line up so not sure about the continuity. Chris and Alan were working with Trevor Rabin as a band called Cinema. When they enlisted the help of Tony Kaye they realised it was pretty much Yes and got in touch with Jon soon after. I think a lot of Drama's sound carried over into Asia with Steve Howe and Geoff Downes. I used to have a copy of Asia's first album signed by Carl Palmer. :)
yeah Drama is seriously underrated, it's a great Yes album.
Thank you for reacting to something outside of the 70' favorites, ( The Yes Album to Going for the One). Hopefully you get to Tormato from 78 and their later material.
The first ( and sometimes only ) track I go to when I revisit this album is Tempus Fugit . Perhaps for you , after listening to it , ' the last shall become first ' ( putting it ahead of Machine Messiah )
Way better than last song Great playing Biggest thing lacking is Jon's lyrics and sensibility which still kind of makes it "Yes light" But certainly way better than most stuff out at the time Howe and Squire always amazing
The Buggles (a name mix of 'The Bugs' and 'The Beatles' 😉) had a massive hit with the song 'Video Killed The Radio Star', not long before they agreed to join Yes to replace the recently-departed Jon Anderson and Rick Wakeman; That song was (very aptly) the very first one to be played on MTV, too! There's also quite a good Buggles version, released in '82 and renamed into 'I Am A Camera'. There's even a Kim Carnes cover version of *that* version! 😄
Have you ever reacted to (or even listened to) any Be Bop Deluxe?
I'd love for them to get some exposure, even if it's been 40 years since they disbanded :-D
Good band! Bill Nelson’s post-Be Bop new wave work is even better, I think.
Bill Nelson one of my favourite guitarist and like Howe has a very colourful pallet in his guitar sound plus some beautiful ambient stuff on par with Eno. ( check out 'After the Satellite Sings' one of my fav Bill Nelson albums )
@@plw6825 Justin Did react to Crying To The Sky/Sleep That Burns :-)
...still plugging away for some more exposure, tho :-D
Machine Messiah, Into The Lens and Tempus Fugit are superstellar tracks. That's half the album. If you are a Yes fan who doesn't like Drama, I suggest that you haven't approached it with an open mind. Someone else probably already corrected the pronunciation, but it is "Bug" gles, like an insect. A play on the Beatles presumably. If you aren't familiar with "Video Killed The Radio Star" that was a ubiquitious 80s hit single by the Buggles and the first video played on MTV.
The Drama album was the perfect bridge between the 1970s and 1980s versions of Yes, a wonderful but underrated album. I think of this album as what would have happened if Steve Howe had been a part of Yes in the 1980s. When Yes brought in Trevor Rabin in the 80s, Trevor Horn was the producer.
I hope you know that the Buggles was a #1 “one hit wonder” with the song Video Killed the Radio Star
Yes absorbed The Buggles, whose giant hit was "Video Killed the Radio Star".
They also wrote and recorded "I Am a Camera". The novel of the same told of Berlin during the Jazz Age of the 1920s and 30s, when the Nazis were doing away with the "decadent arts".
The 1974 movie, "Cabaret" is based on this novel. It starred Liza Minelli and Michael York.
The Buggles' version is shorter and simpler, more contemplative. Both versions are excellent.
Into the lens has always been my favorite song from the album. Machine Messiah been my second best.
Dream Theater covered Machine Messiah with Steve Howe as a special guest. Well worth a listen and a watch! You can find some footage fo this concert (Ronnie Scott, 1995) on YT.
I love this album. Not a fan of Horn on vocals or Downes on keys, but the music is very solid.
The original version of this song appears on the Buggles album "Adventures In Modern Recording," where It's called "I Am A Camera." Check it out! It's well worth a listen. (Oops. OK, so he says that at the end of the video. Yeah. It's a cool song on both albums.)
my favorite track on this album
This was the song that leaded me to Yes, I was a fan of the Buggles and saw that their song I am a Camera is just another version of Into the Lens. I had never heard of Yes before and listening to this song was a mind blowing experience. This lead me onto Drama and then to Fragile when Roundabout became a meme and then to all their other wonderful albums
Nice journey Ken!
Great album. Also like Fly From Here. I think I am a Steve Howe fan more than anything else
I like Fly From Here too. I have an autographed copy of the CD. All of the band members signed it for me. Steve Howe is awesome. Even if he does look like Granny Clampett now. LOL
Awesome. Remember in Machine Messiah "the glass shows that Summer has gone". We are avatars/cameras...with no free will as "all is meant to be"
Also Glass in the Sky #ConCave Earth. We are on the inner Edge. The wall of the Cave. The inside of the Rind
And the Machine Messiah(tetragrammaton) is at the Center. We are the Stars
The Yuggles! Trevor and Geoff definitely brought a new wave sensibility into the band while still acknowledging the progressive roots. I recall Trevor saying something to the effect that Geoff was less noodley than Wakeman. Try Fly From Here for a similar vibe. Also check out Adventures in Modern Recording.
Someone in the music press at the time called them “Yeggles”, a cross between Yes and Buggles because of that crossover sound. 😁
Incidentally, Gentle Giant also has a song called “I Am a Camera“ from their Civilian album, also from 1980. It’s not bad but it’s not nearly as good as this. That was Giant in their AOR phase, while Yes was still clearly and unapologetically prog, in spite of sprinkling in more poppier elements. The Buggles were obviously a huge influence on that front, as they were an artsy New Wave band.
And I enjoyed your video a lot! Because you actually did react to a lot, too! 😊👍
Ty Mighty!
@@JustJP - You're welcome! Great having discovered your channel tonight! 😊
@@mightyV444 I'm glad to hear that! Hope youre having a great start to the week!
@@JustJP - Absolutely! And I wish you a great week also! 😀 You've been doing videos on many artists I like (Even on XTC, oh emm gee! 😄), so just as well weather's been sh*te here in NZ and thus just right for checking those out! 😁👍
Love it, love this album. The idea " I am a Camera" came from Christopher Isherwood. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christopher_Isherwood
It is interesting to compare this with U.K and Asia. Almost like three sides of the same musical direction. More streamlined but enough parts that need fast and precise fingers, very melodic.
And obviously the reformed Yes went on with "Owner Of The Lonely Heart" and so on.
I still remember the review in Melody Maker... "I am a camera, me no Leica".
I think it's pretty damn good especially Chris and Alan.
Probably my pick for best ever Yes song recorded after 1974. Perfect fusion of their sound and the Buggles’ new wave pop sensibility, and a wonderful showcase for Steve Howe.
The first video MTV broadcast song/video was "Video Killed The Radio Star" by none other than the Buggles!!
The first time I heard this song, it did grab me and held me. I remember thinking that it was pretty cool actually. And that I enjoyed it especially because it was played on FM radio every once in a while back at that time.
Buggles is pronounced like ‘goggles’ but with a B... lol they were the group who wrote Video Killed the Radio Star, which was the first song ever played on MTV
RIP Chris Squire, best bass player ever!
Life is a cabaret old chum 😊(obscure reference)
Not if you know musicals...
@@ComeOnIsSuchAJoy Which you obviously do.
@@markspooner1224 I know enough.