CLOSE TO THE EDGE

Yes

Symphonic Prog

4.68 | 5159 ratings

From Progarchives.com, the ultimate progressive rock music website

I must confess this album took me awhile to get into. However this is the album to which the term "Symphonic rock" most accurately applies, being as it is, a rock symphony in three movements.

I still do not like the depiction of chaos which begins "Close to the edge". Three minutes of ugly, incoherent noodling. Obviously ugliness and incoherence were part of the intention, but it outstays its welcome. It is far from inspired. This opening was a barrier to my enjoyment at first, and I wonder how many other listeners?

Close to the Edge begins in earnest after this forbidding introduction. While opinions may differ as to what is the greatest prog track, surely no lengthy piece has been organised with such logic as this. One can detect the essence of classical sonata form in its architecture. A true monument.

"And you and I" was a favourite of mine when I first heard it. This forms the slow movement of the symphony. A beautiful sung section is contrasted with an aspirational section.

The finale comes with "Siberian Khatru". This was another part I had problems with at first since it was rather too jazz-fusion for my tastes. Over time, I have grown to like it, but it is hardly my favourite piece by yes.

Without doubt this is an essential purchase for any serious prog collector. There is no guarantee that a new listener will like it but you certainly should hear it.

Cheesehoven | 5/5 | 2010-10-7

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