CLOSE TO THE EDGE

At the age of 16 (1997) I had just picked up a guitar for the first time and was cutting my teeth -- and fingertips -- on nothing but Led Zeppelin and Blink 182. That's when a new- found friend, who was 15 at the time, introduced me to Yes. Now, I had heard Yes before on Classic rock stations, but when my friend handed me Close to the Edge, it turned out to be one of the most important events in my musical life. Close to the Edge showed me that there were so many more possibilities in music beyond the radio, and to this day, it still monopolizes my CD player for long stretches of time.

From the first seconds of the title track "Close to the Edge" you get the feeling that something Epic and special is about to take place. In the 49 second intro, Yes takes makes you visualise the beginning of a journey through what sounds like a vast and colorful digital jungle full of life and wonder. Only to bash you over the head with a dazzling musical second-intro featuring an ever ascending Chris Squire bassline and schizophrenic jazz guitar solo by master axeman Steve Howe. When it seems as though Howe has hit every last note on his fretboard at least three times, the song finally settles in. From this point, breaking the song down part by part is completely unnessecary. It may seem like a cop-out on this reviewer's part, but I mean it. Just let the song take you on the journey. As with most epic or progressive music, If you are listening to this CD/record with anxiety about the length of the tracks, you are already mentally in the wrong place to enjoy it. In the 18+ minute epic, "Close to the Edge," every member of Yes shines and reminds you just how talented they are/were. Standing out in particular, for me, is Bill Bruford's erratic jazz based drumming thoughout the song, Rick Wakeman's frantic keyboard solo at about the 10:00 mark, and Jon Anderson, Steve Howe, and Chris Squire's flawless vocal harmonies.

On the second track "And You And I" Yes takes you to a whole new place. Much more subdued technically on this track, they succeed greatly in hitting that sweet spot between restraint and pretentiousness. Jon Anderson's soaring lead vocals, Steve Howe's work on the 12-string acoustic and Pedal Steel, along with Bill Bruford's effortless drumming modesty are standouts here in a truly beatiful song that makes a perfect follow up to the album's title track.

Toward the end of "And You and I," you should be feeling uplifted and ready for the next journey. The decidedly more uptempo third track, "Siberian Khatru" provides the appropriate plateau for the home stretch of this fantastic journey. Blending blues, jazz, and classical styles, this song features some of Steve Howe's career best guitar work in my opinion, but is almost thoroughly outshined by Jon Anderson's vocal mastery. Although I'm trying, it is very difficult for words to express the absolute joy I get from listening to "Siberian Khatru."

Whether you are a young musician seeking to expand your horizons beyond Three Days Grace and Theory of a Dead Man, or an established music aficionado looking for that new gem from Yesterday, or a Progressive Rock freak looking for the classics, Yes' Close to the Edge is a MUST have. Buy it, borrow it from a friend, obtain it by whatever means you have at your disposal, and listen to it repeatedly. Each time through the record you will find something new to learn from or to just "wow" at. For me, Close to the Edge is one of the most important achievements in the history of music.