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Yes - Close to the Edge CD (album) cover

CLOSE TO THE EDGE

Yes

 

Symphonic Prog

4.68 | 5061 ratings

From Progarchives.com, the ultimate progressive rock music website

Padraic
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator
5 stars Certainly one of the masterpieces, if not the pinnacle of progressive rock.

The album begins with Yes' first side long track, the title track Close to the Edge. A sweeping, lush harp along with the call of birds gives way to a furious introduction, with Steve Howe's blistering attack and Bill Bruford's tight, aggressive percussion work featured prominently before transitioning to the main section with Anderson's usual inscrutable yet poetic and brilliant lyrics. The next section 'I Get Up, I Get Down' features sweeping and majestic organ playing by Rick Wakeman, before once again giving way to a stunning instrumental passage that marks the final section, with Bruford initially setting a fast-paced tempo and another brilliant solo from Wakeman. The lyrics fit the last minutes of this epic perfectly and it wraps up with same birds and harps and sucked the listener in.

Side 2 begins with And You and I, a beautiful, soft piece featuring Howe mostly on acoustic guitar, with some outstanding lush keys from Wakeman and some of Anderson's best vocals.

Siberian Khatru concludes the album with a more uptempo track, all the musicians are superb on this yet it is Squire's bass that is a standout for this reviewer.

A must for every progressive rock music collection. Unquestionably 5 stars.

Padraic | 5/5 |

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