CLOSE TO THE EDGE

This was the second Yes album I bought, not long after I purchased Fragile. This is undoubtedly one of the top Yes albums, and many fans will rate it their finest. I still find it hard to choose, however, between this, Fragile, Relayer or Going For The One. Hence the four stars. I can't say any of the above stand out from the others in the group. All are tremendous in composition, technical skill, melody and Yesness! You can't mistake this band for any other, thanks to Mr Anderson's unique vocals, even though, as I have said in another review, he is the weak link in the band. But that is simply because the rest of the musicians are simply breathtaking. As usual here, his lyrics wind down dark and mysterious labyrinths in search of some meaning or another, but, if you take them with a pinch of salt and just enjoy the music, then this is a must have for most prog fans. The title track, with its varied changes in tempo and style, is of course, well known, also 'Siberian Khatru'. Probably the least mentioned epic is 'And You And I', relatively speaking, yet this one is just as good as the others, packed with melody and mellotron! Steve Howe's guitar is dominant on all the tracks, and he trades niceties with Mr Wakeman's also dominant keyboards. Bill Bruford shows why he is one of the top two or three tub thumpers in prog, and Chris Squire is Chris Squire, driving and creative, 'nuff said. I doubt any serious prog fans will not have heard this, or at least part of this at some time in their lives, but if you haven't, then hurry up and rectify this aberration immediately! An album to listen to whilst dreaming of other times and landscapes, especially effective, as far as I am concerned, through headphones. Remastered it is even better! Those who don't own it, treat yourselves and nip down to the local record shop post haste! A brilliantly symphonic, modern piece of music to be listened to repeatedly.