FRAGILE

This was probably the first progressive album I got when I was young back in the seventies. Before this I used to hear rock from radio stations and I can not describe the emotion produced me when I heard Jon Anderson chorus at the end of Roundabout the firs time I played this record. So this was the beginning of my story in the prog world. I have heard hundreds of times this album for the last 30 years and I never get bored or tired of listen this album over and over. The magic of this work consists in gathering the individuality and virtuosity of every element of the band just right before they start writing the most complex and elaborated works of their careers (Close to the Edge, Tales from Topographic Oceans). This work seems to me more spontaneous and fresh than later works. Fragile shows the best line up ever (I always admire Bill Bruford in performance), and gives the opportunity to every member of the group to show their talent. Classic Roots of Wakeman and Howe are evident in their individual works and Squire demonstrates that a bass is not a background instrument. I can not see a record included here just for filling. Every track has a purpose. No doubt; A five stars album.