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Yes - Close to the Edge CD (album) cover

CLOSE TO THE EDGE

Yes

 

Symphonic Prog

4.68 | 5061 ratings

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stefro
Prog Reviewer
5 stars An album so fantastic that drummer Bill Bruford quit the group as soon as recording had been completed, convinced that there was no way in hell that 'Close To The Edge' could or would ever be bettered, this 1972 release is, as far as progressive rock is concerned, the real deal. Reviewing the album almost seems a moot point as there is probably nothing left to be said that hasn't already been, and this writer seriously doubts that there are any compliments left in the English book of words & phrases to describe an album that is regularly hailed as the apex of not only the band who created it, but also of the genre of which it is a part of. To (very briefly) re-cap: 'Close To The Edge' was the last Yes album to feature the group's classic line-up of Jon Anderson(vocals), Chris Squire(bass), Steve Howe(guitar), Rick Wakeman(keys) and Bill Bruford(drums). Made up of just three tracks, the album is a thrill-a- minute prog-rock odyssey filled with glistening keyboards, soaring vocals, fluid guitars and beautifully-structured instrumental soundscapes. Each member is bang on form and, despite a couple of great later albums, Yes would never scale the peaks reached on 'Close To The Edge' again. The album was also a huge commercial success, featured a seminal yet womndefully-simplistic pastoral green album cover from Roger Dean(his second for the group) and influenced hundreds if not thousands of bands over the years thanks to it's bravura mix of thrilling experimentation and instrumental brilliance. Just in case you're still not sure I'll sum it up for you in one often over-used(just not this time) word: masterpiece. STEFAN TURNER, LONDON, 2010
stefro | 5/5 |

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