CLOSE TO THE EDGE

Close To The Edge is generally considered progressive rock's most creative and accomplished effort of all time and quite rightfully so! After their outstanding work Fragile, Yes had a sort of an ambitious kick to create a unique work. The composing of the album utilized the band's hippie democracy, according to which every band member brought in a handful of ideas, which would be glued together in a certain way and create a twisted masterpiece. Well, it did work out!

This album crowns everything Yes have done to that day. Classical inspiration of Jean Sibelius, Anton Bruckner, and Johannes Brahms, funky jazz elements from Bill Bruford, classical, flamenco, and jazz guitar influences on Steve Howe's playing, unstoppable grooves with Chris Squire's thumpy bass tone, and Rick Wakeman's virtuosic keyboard abilities taking from soul and pastoral church music. All of this in conjunction with Jon Anderson's intellectual Bohemian conceptuality gave birth to Close To The Edge. The album consists of three epics: "Close To The Edge", "And You And I", and "Siberian Khatru". I don't particularly share the enthusiasm of most prog fans, as I consider this work flawed to some extent. However, this is considered a masterpiece for a reason and I will never deny that it is.

Summing up the review is difficult with this one. Everything that ever needed to be said about Close To The Edge has been said and simply saying that "It's a genius prog album, so everybody needs it in their collection, blah, blah, blah..." would be pointless. So, my recommendation would be to listen to this work and without any influence of others rate it for yourself. I have done so and feel like 4.5 stars is the most adequate rating for Close To The Edge.