CLOSE TO THE EDGE

Close to the Edge is generally regarded as the most credited prog album. I had read many marvellous reviews about it and seemed to me that this album must be the best thing on the Earth. When I finally heard it for the first time I wasn't worried about the fact that I didn't like it very much. I thought "Hey, this is a prog album, it's normal that I don't love it from the first listening!" I kept listening, still hoping that it finally unfolds it's treasure. At the present time I don't hope in particular anymore. I think it generally lacks fluent melodies, even though there are some beautiful examples in title track and in "And You and I", it is repetitive, it has too much struggle in it with no apparent purpose. I'm not saying it's a bad album, all tracks contain truly appealing moments. I would rank it higher if it were an option album by a prog band, yet it is supposed to be THE album by THE prog band. 3.5 stars really.