CLOSE TO THE EDGE

This is my first review, and as a relative newcomer to the world of prog rock I write this with some trepidation. Indeed the warning to use the 5 star rating sparingly made me think for some time about whether Close to the Edge is deserving of 5 stars. Is it a masterpiece of progressive music? Well, and no pun intended, yes, it is.

Yes at the time consisted of some of the most talented musicians around, and it shows. The opnener, Close to the Edge is an epic, from the tantilising intro to somewhat trippy guitar and then the calm, yet somewhat ominous 'I get up, I get down', it is close to the edge. And when we go over it, an explosion of sound and colour, Rick Wakeman is here at his best, a multi layered keyboard workout which surely asserts him as one of the great keyboardists. Despite its length and changing tempo and mood, Close to the Edge is surpsrisingly easy to get into, and even if your relatively new to prog, its still something very easy to listen to.

Siberian Khatru is also instantly likeable, a somewhat snazzy intro as well combined with a steady, catchy riff keeps the song flowing and wonderfully listenable.My only criticsim is here that this perhaps becomes overworked, but nonetheless one of the best yes songs. Again we see good work from Wakeman and Howe, and again this is an easily accessible, track yet, deep enough for even a hardened prog fanb to appreciate.

And then and you and I. Personally I find this my least favourite track, although I still love it! An somewhat grand intro leads to an agreeable. At a slower pace than a lot of the album, it is the sort of song that, and I don't know if this is something that I'm alone here in doing, makes you want to just open your arms and sing your heart out. A ballad perhaps? Criticisms? Again very few, other than that it perhaps moves too slow for me, yet this is down to preference, I know many people who think this is a wonderful song, and to be honest, I still agree.

So anyway, apologies for the length, but I hope this helps. Close to the Edge whether you are new or not to Prog Rock is one of THE albums of the genre from one of THE bands. If you don't have it BUY IT!