FRAGILE

I don't see Fragile as being close to a masterpiece, but it is a MOSTLY good album that I MOSTLY enjoy. The musicians are all extremely talented, but there are several overindulences and several songs of poorer quality.

'Roundabout' is the absolute highlight of the album with a bass riff to die for, and catchy vocal hooks that make this essentially a prog-pop song (It seems like Yes were good at these). 'Cans and Brahms' is the Wakeman solo piece which is pretty the first few listens, but becomes unnecessary. The same goes for Anderson's 'We Have Heaven' to be honest, although this one is more interesting. 'South Side of the Sky' never totally grips me, despite being a very well crafted song. 'Five Percent for Nothing' is Bruford's piece, and, althoug I can appreciate its complexity, it seems quite pointless. 'Long Distance Runaround' is finally another track which I can fully enjoy, and is another prog-pop song would you believe it? This segues directly into 'The Fish' a very good solo piece from Squier. 'Mood for a Day' is Steve Howe's piece, and is the strongest solo piece on this album. It is a beautiful, unacompanied acoustic guitar solo. 'Heart of the Sunrise' is epic, and is my second or third favourite of the album, and I love the way it so seamlessly interchanges between heavy passages (rare for Yes) and beautiful melodic refinement. It's not 'Close to the Edge' but... what is?

This album is laden with faults, but overall is very nice to listen to, and the fact that I do listen to it says something. I give it 3.5 stars, rounded own to 3.