Epics from outside the main sequence of Yes albums tend to go overlooked. But Drama, Talk, Keys To Ascension, The Ladder, Fly From Here and yes, even Heaven & Earth actually contain at least one worthy Yes epic. Magnification is no exception.
“Dreamtime” may not be as strong as “Homeworld” or “Mind Drive” but it does show Yes stepping away from the shorter-song format displayed across most of Magnification.
Structurally, the arrangement isn’t as fleshed out as many of the band’s latter-day epics. Perhaps the use of Pro Tools in recording and mixing gave producer Tim Weider and Yes too much freedom to add parts and move pieces around.
Alan White and Chris Squire are well represented in the mix, but Steve Howe’s electric rhythm guitar and leads are underutilized. Conductor/arranger Larry Groupe again provides a strong orchestral arrangement. Yet these parts seem almost as introductions or interludes, and tend to distract from the melodic core of “Dreamtime.”
Narratively, the song is weakest on Magnification. Jon Anderson’s stream-of-consciousness lyrics fail to enhance the melody and are among his least memorable on the album. Still, “Dreamtime” is the one of the boldest statements on Yes’ Magnification. While not entirely successful, at least the band was still progressing forward.
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