CLOSE TO THE EDGE

Close to the edge is the OBVIOUS prog MASTERPIECE. If you dont even self adore the record, you still have to give it a 5/5 rating really. It really defines the word "prog". The least rating possible for this is 4/5 IMO. If someone says 3 or less i know that their just wanting to be different. This is My first review here, and I wanted to start with an obvious one.

The TITLE TRACK is the first TRACK here on this record, and with that it IS also the first MASTERPIECE here. The first section that builds to the chaotic improvisation part is so good. Wakemans keyboards bring such a cool atmosphere there. The improvisation is some of Howes best guitar work. Love the bassline here, and love when the keyboards join and they do the same as the bass but 2x faster. Brufords drumming here is just so on spot. Bruford doesent need minute long fills and gigantic setups to prove his abilities. The vocals that ocasionally do the "aaaaaa" make this section Even more suspensful. When we get the chorus the first Time it feels so cool how we got out of the chaos and got to this beutiful chill vocal section. The quiet part is one of the most vibey things to come out of prog, and you have such a suspense there tho it IS as calm as it gets. The waterdrops are so cozy there. When Wakeman gets on with the organ I just always melt. The section after this organ section is probably my favourite section. This is when they get real "proggy" right. You get back to The "chaotic" of the start and it just goes crazy, without going over the top "experimental" and inaccessible. Wakemans moogsolo is just some of his finest work ever. Love that! The final repeat of the chorus and the "I get up, I get down" LINE is of course just heavenly. Love it!

The second TRACK of AND YOU AND I is just a real release and just a good vibes TRACK. Who wouldnt love this peace. This consists of 4 parts just as ctte but neither am I gonna speak of each part individually here like I didn't with ctte. With these songs the sections just flow together so well that Id find it weird to name the sections. My favourite prog tracks are songs like ctte or this. Songs that have multiple of parts but still feel coplitely choesive. Just think of 2112 from Rush. I dont dig that so much becouse the parts have pauses in between and are complitely different. It doesent feel like a TRACK but more like a side of an album. Okay back to Yes. And you and I has one of my favourite starts to any Yes TRACK. The guitar tuning of Howe that builds to the most goodvibey part ever with Wakemans synth, Howes guitar and especially Andersonin beutiful vocals. The section where this songs builds really big is one of the most "heavenly" Yes moments really. The big synth melody and then the awesome powerful vocals. When this gets tack to The guitartuning and the second small part, I find it to Be also really cool.

The final TRACK of SIBERIAN KHATRU is actually probably my personal favourite from the album with all of its energy. I think its what roundabout and yours is no discrace are combined with a little of extra complexity. It gets you hooked staright out of the bath with Howes catchy guitar licks. All The riffs on this song are so amazing really. The singing of Anderson with the harmonizings of Squire really are just like an Instrument. The words arent that good but I live them. I think they arent Even suppoused to mean that much. They are probably suppoused to be like instruments as I just said. Wakemans harpsichord solo on this TRACK is also even better for me than the moogsolo on ctte and I really love the moogsolo on ctte. The basslines by mr. Squire also just freakin' rock on this thing. Howes last guitar solo with the fadeout is also just so damn great. This really is one of my favourite tracks ever. Ctte is probably the better TRACK from this album. This TRACK just is THE TRACK for me really. Howes vibey guitar solo after the harpsichord solo is also just so great and good solo. It just is done with such a good touch really.

Overall this album is one of the most masterful albums ever created and not just in prog. One of the heights of modern music really. Songcraft and albumcraft is here just perfect. LOVE THIS RECORD! EASY 5 STARS! :)