FRAGILE

YES has always been held in high regard in the Progressive Rock community, ranking among the best of the best, as well as those select groups that defined the genre. The five members of the band, as well, are ranked to be masterful with their instruments of choice, giving them that leeway to progress the complexity of their sound far beyond their debut. With their third album, "The YES Album", YES' progressive sound was beginning to really take shape, but it wasn't until "Fragile" when they're true contribution to the sound of Progressive Rock was totally evident. Not only do we have here a classic of the Prog Rock genre, but also an overall Rock classic, as a whole.

In organization, the album is split into two sections: Individual solo works and group compositions. The order in which the tracks come, however, make it feel entirely like a group composition. Roundabout, South Side Of The Sky, Long Distance Runaround, and Heart Of The Sunrise make up those composed by all five members, all being excellent, while Cans and Brahms, We Have Heaven, Five Per Cent Of Nothing, The Fish (Schindleria Praematurus), and Mood For A Day make up the solo works. Regardless of who's written what song, it all sounds like Yes - it's all great. Each of the band's compositions on Fragile have become staples in their catalogue, not to mention being among the greatest Progressive Rock cuts of all time; the solo works are simply icing on the cake.

Reviewing each individual track doesn't do this album justice, so I'll hold my peace about them. Fragile is an album, not simply a collection of songs. The tracks were carefully placed - even paced - to perfect its continuity. I would highly recommend this to any rock fan, whether it be of contemporary or Classic Rock, but especially Progressive Rock fans - listen to this album; listen to it as a whole, as it was meant to be listened. It's not entirely perfect; some of the solo tracks are mere curiosities more than they are solid songs, though it doesn't hurt the entire album very much, and it would only improve from here on out. I guarantee you'll find something that meets any Rock fan's fancy on this one. If you're a fan of YES and don't have this album, you're probably lying, or blasphemous. GET IT!!!

4.5/5