CLOSE TO THE EDGE

Looking at some of the other reviews here, I suspect that some reviewers use the following system: I like it = 5 stars; I don't like it = 1 star. I'll try to avoid that particular route (I'll try!). Looking at the explanations, I ask myself: "into which category does Close To The Edge fit?" So, although it's not my personal fave by the affirmative ones, I would have to say that it's essential: a masterpiece of progressive rock music and, therefore, gets 5 stars. If I had to explain to a newcomer what Prog was, I'd probably tell them to listen to a copy of this album. The music itself has been dissected and analysed so often that it's hard to come-up with something that hasn't already been said. This album, more that any other, defines Prog a la Yes: we have the side-long piece, the complicated arrangements, the symphonic sound, the baffling lyrics (Bill Bruford: "Jon - what exactly is a total mass retain?"), even the cover is different: Roger Dean's artwork appearing inside the gatefold rather than on the front. This was the same line-up as Fragile, although it would be Bruford's last studio outing with the group. It all got too much for our intrepid young hero, who went over to the dark side and joined the cirkus of Doktor Fripp. While Bruford expanded his jazz chops alongside the possessed Jamie Muir, Anderson and Squire replaced him with the straight-ahead rock style of Alan White. This set-out the path ahead - all they had to do now was trump Close To The Edge... anyone for a curry?