‘Hydra,’ Toto’s second album, confounded critics and fans alike upon its release in October 1979, but it has aged well.

An inventive and frenzied drum part from Bill Bruford helps propel Jon Anderson’s “Then” into the upper echelon of early Yes songs.

This Mid-Year Best of 2015 list also includes J.D. Souther, Jose James, Luke Reynolds, Kevin Gilbert, Leslie Johnson, Joni Mitchell, Marc Cary and others.

China Crisis could have celebrated the 30th anniversary of 1985’s ‘Flaunt the Imperfection’ with a reissue. Instead, they did something new and exciting.

‘Time and a Word’ opens with “No Opportunity Necessary, No Experience Needed,” a Yes song which doesn’t quite sound like Yes.

Perhaps best known for a stint in Supertramp, Marty Walsh is a do-anything sessions guitarist you’ve heard – even if you don’t think you’ve heard of him.

David Paich has said Toto’s “Hold the Line” came together quickly, yet one wouldn’t know it because the song has so many layers.

‘Jimmy Choos,’ the lead track off the first album of original Rickie Lee Jones material in 10 years, sounds both familiar and different.

Yes knows a thing of two about survival. As such, it seems only fitting that the last song on their debut is so titled.

The Aristocrats’ versatility, power and instrumental prowess may be best heard on the title track from 2013’s ‘Culture Clash.’