CLOSE TO THE EDGE

Close to the Edge is indeed a masterpiece, and it deserves every five-star rating it gets. The title track is absolute genius, but And You And I & Siberian Khatru are excellent as well. There is simply nothing better than going outside on a sunny day and listening to this album.

Close to the Edge opens queitly with sounds that remind me of birds in a forest, and some listeners find this beginnig weird. About a minute into the song, though, it starts to get very intense. I love the wordless vocals in this section. At about three minutes in, it calms down a bit and the best part starts. It's kind of jazzy through this section, and Bill Bruford's drum work is excellent. Many people seem to be bothered by Jon Anderson's voice, but I think it is one of the best aspects of this album, and of Yes music in general. I very much like his lyrics as well; although some listeners complain that they are nonsensical, they just take some attentive listening to grasp. At about nine minutes, it gets quiet again and this part is very sad sounding. I enjoy the delicate keyboard work here, and the somewhat hushed singing. At about twelve minutes, the organ comes in and the climax of the song arrives. The last section is the best. Once again, Bill Bruford proves his completely astounding talent. Rick Wakeman truly shines with some of the best keyboard work in progressive music. Chris Squire and Steve Howe do excellent work, too; I'd feel bad not mentioning them. Squire's bass is, however, not as prominent as it was on Fragile.

And You And I is a very nice song, and I do not find it boring at all as some previous reviewers have suggested. It opens with lovely guitar work, and is on the whole a beautiful song. At about three minutes, there is a short, more rhythmic, section. Four minutes, though is when it really starts to get good. Wakeman's keyboard work is, as always, great. At about six minutes, it seems like it's going to end, but actually carries on with guitar similar to the beginnig. Then, a new musical theme develops which is quite interesting and features Anderson's excellent vocals. The end goes back to the theme from earlier in the song, and closes very beautifully on a note that makes it seem melancholic and almost unfinished.

Siberian Khatru is a bouncy song with strange lyrics. The best part is around three minutes in with the harpsichord solo, followed by some great guitar work. Everything is supported by Bruford's superb drumming throughout.

Also worth mentioning is Yes's rendition of the Paul Simon song America on the expanded remaster. It puts a very cool twist on a song that I enjoyed in its original form as well.

Every progressive rock fan should own this album. It is considered by most people to be Yes's quintessential work (although I secretly prefer Tales From Topographic Oceans), and it is one of the most enjoyable listening experiences to be had by prog fans.