CLOSE TO THE EDGE

Upon the first listen of 'Close To The Edge,' I couldn't really see why there were so many accolades and testaments of greatness to this album. There was obviously intelligence and sophistication to it's makeup, but I couldn't really see what made it one of the best. After giving it several intent listens, I can only agree with how fellow Prog Reviewer Jake Kobrin described this piece of music to me. It truly is 'a piece of classical music for the modern age.'

I can honestly say I was a bit turned off at the beginning that 'Close To The Edge' was only comprised of a whopping three tracks. Judging from it's cover and booklet information, it looked more like an EP than anything else. But being about the average length of an album in those days, each of the three songs on here is very meticulously composed; each a journey on it's own.

Very influential for it's time, you can really hear where alot of modern prog bands absorbed their sound from. In fact, my first impression of the first three minutes of the album was a likening of none other than the Mars Volta! After a very chaotic, atonal opening, the album proceeds in a more listenable fashion.

The album proceeds in a 'best to worst' fashion as far as the track listing goes, although all of the songs are very strong on their own.

The only real flaw that hurts the album is the fact that there is very little flow between the songs. Each of the songs adopts it's own little corner, and feels isolated from the others. Therefore, the album doesn't feel as complete as the music should warrant, but many shouldn't find their appreciation for 'Close To The Edge' too tarnished by this.

Due to the fact that this album is separated in only three portions, it's a piece of work that almost forces you to listen to it in it's entirity. While it's not the best progressive album of all time in my books, it's a great album that grants new angles with many listens. Very rewarding.