10 Essential 1980s Progressive Rock Albums

Yes is another genre forebearer that eventually transformed into a trendy pop-rock troupe (particularly, with 1983’s 90125). While precursor Drama foreshadows that change at times, it mostly maintains the blockbuster complexity and idiosyncratic tones of their early 1970s material that – luckily – they’d rediscover during the late 1990s.

Although Drama marked the temporary departure of founding singer Jon Anderson and longtime keyboardist Rick Wakeman, replacements Geoff Downes and Trevor Horn (who comprised pop duo the Buggles) are terrific replacements. As the triumphantly chameleonic Machine Messiah exemplifies, they gave the band an even coarser and weirder vibe. Indeed, the LP kicks off with an immensely dynamic and ambitious treasure of a track.

The subsequent White Car is short but beautifully dreamy, and Into the Lens mixes poppy harmonies with plenty of characteristic theatrics and instrumental counterpoints. Of course, it ends with the magnificent Tempus Fugit, an astounding return to the rousing segments of vintage side-long voyages like Close to the Edge and The Gates of Delirium.

It's amazing how much Horn and Downes revitalized the group’s style here. At once invigorating and familiar, Drama is a glorious declaration of capability and purpose, suggesting that a reworked Yes isn’t necessarily an inferior Yes.