Yes: Fragile

bender99 wrote: Fragile is the album that got me into Yes, but I'd rank it behind CTTE and the Yes Album in my own personal order. In terms of individual tracks, it undoubtedly has some of their best, but a number of the solo spots let it down in my opinion - as was already previously said: a bit rough round the edges

That matches my experience and thoughts almost exactly.

richardh wrote: I would argue this has the best Yes tracks although a bit rough round the edges at times. Best prog line up of all time imo.

Indeed

TiddK wrote: I'm going to speak heresy now. I used to like Fragile a lot (my second Yes album) but actually I thought they went downhill just a teensy bit when Wakeman joined. To me their acme always was - and still is - The Yes Album.  There are some nice things on Fragile - Heart Of The Sunrise is epic - but I'm not sure the idea of allowing each member of the band their own little virtuoso spot ever quite worked as well as it does on paper. Roundabout is also classic but possibly overplayed (by me), and there is some clever use of stereo separation. On the whole though, ditching Kaye for Wakeman wasn't the greatest move, even though Wakeman is a superb keys man.

Well, my next Yes-favourite after Fragile & the Yes Album is Time and a Word. But after that comes CttE & Relayer. And I don´t think there is totally bad Yes album, I like even Open Your Eyes.

I'm going to speak heresy now. I used to like Fragile a lot (my second Yes album) but actually I thought they went downhill just a teensy bit when Wakeman joined. To me their acme always was - and still is - The Yes Album. 

^Also to me with Roundabout South Side was the first songs that really hit me and that middle part is really a "salt" of that song! Maybe best composition he has made.

Dellinger wrote: This was my first Yes album too... I don't remember if together with CttE, or if I bought that one a bit later. And they are both the only albums from the band I would give 5 stars. Even the solo songs don't really drag it down, even if Cans is indeed the weaker one. I have read Wakeman had written what ended up becoming Catherine of Aragon for his spot on this album, but well, he couldn't contribute songwriting... yet indeed that would have made this album even better.

If I remember correct, I have read somewhere Wakeman composed at least the middle part of South Side Of the Sky, but for that A&M contract he couldn´t have the credits from it. At least it sounded really much he´s style.

This was my first Yes album too... I don't remember if together with CttE, or if I bought that one a bit later. And they are both the only albums from the band I would give 5 stars. Even the solo songs don't really drag it down, even if Cans is indeed the weaker one. I have read Wakeman had written what ended up becoming Catherine of Aragon for his spot on this album, but well, he couldn't contribute songwriting... yet indeed that would have made this album even better.

I spin Fragile more than any other Yes album, including the lauded CTTE. Which is more of an iconic album now than it is a joyful album to listen to.

My second favourite Yes album, just over The Yes Album and behind Close to the Edge. No bad tracks, only Cans and Brahms is sort of filler and 5% little more than a jingle, unfortunately. Best tracks: South Side of the Sky, Heart of the Sunrise and Mood for a Day.

Edited by someone_else - September 10 2018 at 15:23

I view it as an oddity because of the "solo" songs.  That said, they make it an interesting album.  We Have Heaven, 5% and Mood are cool, never cared much for Fish and Cans & Brahms is just a boring waste of 1:42.  I know Wakeman couldn't put an original track on Fragile because he was still contractually bound to A&M, but that was the best he could do?  Years later, even he called it "dreadful".  Shoot, anything from Wendy Carlos Switched on Bach kicks it's ass