So I liked Yes best when they weren't playing their own music? Yikes. That does not bode well for future listens to their music.

Tales From Topographic Oceans is my favourite as it's the most dynamic, but it's a lot to chew through on your introduction to the group.

That's fine, as long as it's not boring.

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Real talk: What do all you people think about the singer of Yes? Come on, be honest. He's a bit "just kind of there" isn't he?

He does a lot of interesting things melodically but his voice isn't anything to write home about. At least he complements the music well.

I think I better try to just think of him as another keyboard or something instead of hanging on to his voice like an anchor. He's got this really limited way of expressing himself that makes wish he'd change his approach once in a while.

Basically. He's about as much a focus of the music as the vocalist to a tech death band.

Jon Anderson was a fair vocalist, nothing earthshaking.

He sounds like a gay frog, but I like that.

Listening to Topographic Oceans right now. I am getting a sort of Kermit vibe.

Seventies Yes doesn't do it for me, but if you're looking to get into them then their best and most highly rated album is Close to the Edge. Personally, I didn't get as much out of it as I thought, and for me, the likes of Big Generator, 90125 and Union, as well as the solo album (as it were) from Anderson, Bruford, Wakeman and Howe is where it's at.

Marillion/Genesis, hard to say. If you like seventies Genesis (Trespass/Nursery Cryme/Foxtrot etc) you will probably like early Marillion, but both bands changed to a different sound in the 80s (Genesis) and 90s (Marillion). Also, if by some chance you find yourself liking 70s Genesis try Big Big Train. You might also dig The Alan Parsons Project - lots of different vocalists in there. Let me know if you want any recs for them.

There are a whole lot of different types of Prog Rock bands - you might enjoy ELP but hate Rush, or like Yes but hate Genesis - so it can be a bit of a crap shoot. Probably best to have some idea of what you're looking for in terms of music before you go in.

I second that Van der Graaf album, by the way, but be warned: one of the songs is over twenty minutes long! :laughing: Worth it, though. You could also try Pendragon, IQ and Pallas, but again these are only suggestions.

Edit: Don't forget Electric Light Orchestra.