Released in 1980 - this album reflected a seismic shift in the band and reflected the post -Punk and New Wave environment that was happening at the time.

There were false starts with this album -as the follow up to Tormato from 1978.

The whimsical folk and prog influences of the new Jon Anderson and Rick Wakeman songs were not meshing with Chris Squire’s and Steve Howe’s vision for the new music, that would have a harder edge but also more current pop sensibilities.

Consequently there was a split - Anderson and Wakeman exited and the unlikely addition of Trevor Horn and Geoff Downes of Buggles fame joined Squire , Howe and drummer Alan White.

Chris Squire was a founding member of Yes in 1968 and was in every lineup over the years.

In some ways he was always the heart and soul of the band, by virtue of having the best intuition at any time- and calling the shots when there was a change of direction artistically.

1980 was no exception - as Yes shared the same management as Buggles - and after rehearsing new music with Horn and Geoff Downs - the similarity of Trevor Horn’s voice to Jon Anderson, convinced Squire a union of the two new band members would work.

The album was recorded quickly between April and June at Townhouse and Sarm East Studios in London primarily.

The haste was in part to a North American and UK tour that had already been booked!

It’s a majestic album with biting hooks and melodies and superb bass playing from Squire that was still influencing generations of new bass players. 

Theres almost a digital brightness to the album - that was keeping with the current sonic sensibilities of the dawn of the 1980’s .

Overall the album was received quite well by the critics despite the personnel changes ,peaking at number 2 in the UK and number 18 in the USA.

Its legacy in the Yes story was significant and helped modernize their sound and usher in the massive success of Owner of a Lonely Heart in 1983.

Drama represented a shift to a new sound that would be enduring.

In 1980 there was a massive reappraisal of music with new music styles : New Wave , Post Punk, New Romantics , Hair Bands , Synth Pop , Ska and Two Tone , Rap ,Hip Hop etc etc.

In my opinion ,if they had stayed with the 1970’s prog and folk approach of the earlier Yes - they would not have been as relevant - and this album would not have been as successful.

Go check it out -its a great album!

More info here:

https://www.discogs.com/master/35607-Yes-Drama