CLOSE TO THE EDGE

I'll try and put it simply. My first Yes album was Time and A Word. To me, fun and easily accesible. Number two was THE Yes Album. Mind blowing music. I couldn't get enough of it. Three-Tales From Topographic Oceans. You can be harsh on it, but I fell in love with it from the moment 'The Revealing Science of God' got into the main song. And I thought 'Tales' was a pretty damn good album. Then came Close To The Edge. Now I understand why people complain about Tales so much. Tales, being a great album in its own, was simply overshadowed by an UNBELIEVABLE album before it. Those who bought Tales expecting another 'Edge' would easily be let down. And I actually don't like Tales much anymore since I got this album. Bill Bruford is crisp and precise on drums, and, as always, pleasureably unpredictable in his drumlines. Chris Squire's bass is heavy and impactful while still retaining grace and it simply pushes the music along. His bass is really the motor of the group-and it shines here more than any other album. ALlthough I will always prefer Tony Kaye's dirty Hammond, Wakeman does another virtuoso job with Moogs and Mellotrons, a few Hammonds here and there and even a fantastic church organ. Really cool. Steve Howe's itchy guitar work sporatically spices up the entire album and is just a fantastic privelidge to hear. The songs are great too. The sound effects at the beginning of the title track misleads one to think of a gentle opener, but leaves you being whammed against the crash of cymbals and an effusion of music in its purest form. The song moves through well crafted movements ranging from bellowing rock to humbler ballads, but it's all pulled off perfectly. And You And I has both excellent writing and performing. A soulful delivery by everyone in the band and another fantastic song. Siberian Khatru is the most incoherent piece, but the quality of it is redeeming. I find 'refrain' bit that comes in at about 1:03 makes the song a fantastic listen. No collection period is complete without this. It's the 'Led Zeppelin IV' of Yes.