Flash - Flash

Lightning strikes again for Yes founder

Where one branch of 70s prog was rooted in a mulch of dark portent and spiritual unease (King Crimson, Van Der Graaf Generator), there was another which instinctively grew towards the light. The early Yes albums are often derided for their simplistic hippy sentiments, but they radiate a fierce, heart-bursting euphoria.

One of the chief architects of that sound was guitarist Peter Banks, who formed Flash in 1971 following his contentious departure from Yes. Comparisons are tiresome but inevitable: Flash is a riot of fervid extrapolations-on-a-theme, cockily juggled time signatures, rattling Rickenbacker bass and Gordian Knotted guitar runs. With two very significant fifths of the original Yes on board – keyboardist Tony Kaye guests throughout – there’s no reason why anyone should have any problem with that.

Furthermore, the band’s contagious joie de vivre and we-set- sail vigour – particularly prevalent on the glorious cartwheel of Small Beginnings and Children Of The Universe – renders criticism meaningless. This album hoses fresh hope lesserand unforced goodwill directly into your synapses. Buy it right now – but don’t play it until the first bright sunny morning thereafter, so as to fix it in your mind with the appropriate setting. Alternatively, play it anytime to banish the clouds within.

5 stars 5 stars 5 stars 5 stars 5 stars

Esoteric | ECLEC 2166

Reviewed by Marco Rossi
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