FRAGILE

Most of the people say that "Close To The Edge" is not only the best album from Yes, but also the masterpiece of progressive rock. I really prefer "Fragile". It is more varied; it has more songs (short and Yes typical extended songs). This perfect album starts with their most "commercial" -but elaborated- song ("Roundabout"), followed by an "original" classical music version arranged and played by Rick Wakeman on different type of keyboards ("Cans & Brahms"). It's not a great piece but gives a different touch to the album. The third track ("We Have Heaven") is also a short track, sung by Jon Anderson's unique voice and creating a strange but beautiful mixture of superposed voices. "We Have Heaven" is well connected with "South Side Of The Sky" by some special effects (steps, wind & storm). I still enjoy the personal way Steve Howe plays his short guitar solos between the vocals (before the chorus part). I would also like to mention the nice middle-section performed by Rick Wakeman on his electric piano. The next track is a strange and complex kind-of-jazzy composition created by Bill Brufford. It only lasts for half a minute. Perhaps he run out of ideas!!!. Well, to be honest I don't think so. Curiously it has more the appearance of a King Crimson song rather than a typical Yes song -It's not strange that this drummer ended up joining Fripp's band-. "Long Distance Runaround" has one of my favorite bass lines, and it goes perfectly well with the main riff done by Steve Howe (electric guitar) and Rick Wakeman (keyboards). This short song is followed by an individual composition done by Chris Squire creating an impressive world of bass guitar sounds -including the use of a wah pedal! -. Steve Howe contrasts the style of the album with a classical acoustic guitar composition on "Mood For A Day". In my opinion, this composition is less complex than its predecessor "The Clap" (guitar composition from "The Yes Album") but evokes much more passion. "Heart Of The Sunrise" is the last song and one of my all-time favorites. It has a fast and heavy beginning before the bass guitar becomes the main instrument inside a real "symphonic" atmosphere. Little by little all the instruments return to the initial structure, then the song turns into a ballad, the rhythm changes from time to time. something not normal in 1972!!! Listen to it and you'll never forget it!