CLOSE TO THE EDGE

This being the most reviewed album on progarchives, I cannot add much. I will say that it is Yes' best album, with each musician being at their peak, including Bill Bruford even though he left shortly after recording this. Rick Wakeman is incredible on all 3 tracks, laying down some of his best solos and indeed some of the best keyboard solos ever. Chris Squire runs up and down on his rickenbacker making glorious undertones. Steve Howe solos amazingly at the beginning of the title track, and does good acoustic and riffing work on the other two. Jon Anderson's voice has never sounded more heavenly, and his lyrics, although obscure, were chosen for their sound rather than their meaning. The Songs: The title track is one of my favorite 20 minute epics, beginning with the typical mystical tinkling noises, then blasting forward with a steve howe solo. The electric sitar part is nice, and the chord changes from major to minor and back and back again are great. The slow middle section has some of the most beautiful harmonies ever written between Anderson, Howe and Squire. The Hammond organ blasts us, then the moog startles us, as the song explodes into the final segment, with an amazing organ solo, and a climactic hair raising ending. Perfect Song, not close to the edge, over it. And You and I is really good, a folky kind of song at the beginning, and moving into more dramatic parts. Siberian Khatru is a great song, but gets a little repetitive after a while. I do love the harpsichord solo though, and the opening riff is sick.

Overall, a great album, Im trying to use the term "masterpiece" sparingly, so I will say that the title track gets five stars, the whole abum gets 4, close to masterpiece.