10 Most Underrated Progressive Rock Albums Of All Time

Yes' orchestral-oriented sophomore effort lead to an alarming level of tension between original guitarist Peter Banks and everyone else involved. Banks was aghast at the reliance on an orchestra and was ultimately given the sack on a tour just prior to the LP's release.

A huge issue with 'Time and a Word's legacy lies in its infamous showcase at the Queen Elizabeth Hall. The group premiered their new work there in March, 1970 but, due to a variety of technical and rehearsal issues, ultimately bombed rather hard.

Audiences, still infatuated with the group's debut and, in many cases, perhaps impressed by the ambition, gave the group a respectable response all the same. Regardless, frontman Jon Anderson has since looked back on the experimental showing as a frustrating flop. Disappointing sales plus the general creative issues in the line-up put them in the red zone of potentially getting dropped by Atlantic as well.

In the years after, as Yes gradually moved from strength to strength with grander, more sterling conceptual efforts, 'Time and a Word's prominence has faded considerably. Despite the problems at the time and the rather odd reputation its sound garnered, it's a compelling and imaginative listen. It's a neat showcase of how audacious the Londoners were in their earlier days and the general creativity of the prog scene at the time. Despite Banks' fury, the use of an orchestra grants it a classically epic feel few rock LPs have ever boasted.