Drama by Yes

Drama

by Yes

Released: August 22, 1980

Progressive rock, pop rock

musicOnOff editorial

Why This Album Matters

This album matters because its strongest editorial story is: Reissue.

01

The Album

This lineup change came after the departures of Jon Anderson and Rick Wakeman, following unsuccessful recording attempts in Paris and London. In 2004, Drama was remastered with previously unreleased bonus tracks, and the album was performed live in its entirety for the first time in 2016. Yes toured in support of Drama in North America and the UK, but the tour was met with some negative reactions from British audiences due to the lineup changes.

02

Inside the Recording

Following the tour, the band disbanded, with Horn later working with Yes as a producer and Downes rejoining the band as a full-time member in 2011.

Stories and details

Interesting Facts

The Drama lineup also contributed to the 2018…

The Drama lineup also contributed to the 2018 re-recording of Fly from Here 2011.

"Drama" is the tenth studio album by the…

"Drama" is the tenth studio album by the English progressive rock band Yes, released on August 22, 1980, by Atlantic Records.

It is notable for being the only Yes…

It is notable for being the only Yes album to feature Trevor Horn as lead vocalist and Geoff Downes on keyboards.

The album was recorded quickly due to an…

The album was recorded quickly due to an already booked tour, which contributed to its rushed production.

*Drama* marked a shift in Yes' musical direction…

*Drama* marked a shift in Yes' musical direction, blending their progressive rock roots with the new wave influences brought by Horn and Downes.

Then

Reception

It peaked at No. 2 on the UK Albums Chart and No. 18 on the US Billboard 200, although it was the first Yes album since 1971 not to achieve gold certification by the RIAA and the first to miss the top ten in the US since The Yes Album. Upon release, Drama received a mostly positive critical reception, with many praising the band's new sound.

Full background

The Complete Album Story

"Drama" is the tenth studio album by the English progressive rock band Yes, released on August 22, 1980, by Atlantic Records. It is notable for being the only Yes album to feature Trevor Horn as lead vocalist and Geoff Downes on keyboards. This lineup change came after the departures of Jon Anderson and Rick Wakeman, following unsuccessful recording attempts in Paris and London.

The album was recorded quickly due to an already booked tour, which contributed to its rushed production. *Drama* marked a shift in Yes' musical direction, blending their progressive rock roots with the new wave influences brought by Horn and Downes.

Upon release, Drama received a mostly positive critical reception, with many praising the band's new sound. It peaked at No. 2 on the UK Albums Chart and No. 18 on the US Billboard 200, although it was the first Yes album since 1971 not to achieve gold certification by the RIAA and the first to miss the top ten in the US since The Yes Album.

The album's only single, Into the Lens, was released during this period. Yes toured in support of Drama in North America and the UK, but the tour was met with some negative reactions from British audiences due to the lineup changes. Following the tour, the band disbanded, with Horn later working with Yes as a producer and Downes rejoining the band as a full-time member in 2011.

In 2004, Drama was remastered with previously unreleased bonus tracks, and the album was performed live in its entirety for the first time in 2016. The Drama lineup also contributed to the 2018 re-recording of Fly from Here 2011.

More Progressive rock Albums

Join the Conversation

Share your thoughts about this album.

Please log in to add a comment.

No comments yet. Be the first to comment.