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I first heard this album in 1973 about a year after it was released and have been listening to it ever since. It is most definitely my favourite album recording of all time. When I first heard it there was nothing to compare and very little up until now. It's one of those recordings that you will either love or hate. Not much middle ground here. It's an unabashed creatively indulgent piece of work which asks the listener to rise up and understand. You are caught up in a dynamic whirlwind from start to finish, only taking a breath for the last track Siberian Khatru, which itself is by no means a slouch. The dynamism from start to finish really is the true strength of this album and it could easily be compared to a major classical work. I believe that no rock album has ever exceeded it's musical synergy. Close to the Edge also differs from other Yes albums because it only contains three tracks the title track taking up the whole side of the original LP. Fragile has long been touted as the best Yes album but I disagree. While excellent it does not exceed Close to the Edge. It is one of those times when everything comes together perfectly. A perfect moment caught in time. A time when a belief of better things existed. It's very difficult to analyse the production of this recording in words because as I said earlier there's very little to compare it too but if you like Pink Floyd or Jethro Tull you're probably going to like this. Definitely not for the faint hearted. Let John Anderson's vocals take you by the hand on a journey of wonder. My highlight of the album is when Rick Wakeman's Church Organ builds to a crescendo on I Get Up I Get Down and then collapses into Seasons of Man. Unfortunately Yes could not better Close to the Edge and all the albums released after, in my opinion, show frustation at never being able to rise to this level again. While they have their moments they don't come close. So audition it yourself it could be a religious experience!Read full review
A follow-up from their more commercial, September 1971, "Fragile" smashing sucsess. Most people alive back in 1972 will remember that on main-stream FM and even AM the hits from "Fragile's "Roundabout" and "The Fish". YES went exactly as close as they could to the edge with the 1972 "Close To the Edge" effort. Song arrangements in Baroque style, time signatures, tones. They seemed to put it all together on this pinnacle album wuthout losing us less hardy souls.
It's great
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
This is a very innovative album. Something that was never done before. The structure and complexity of it paints a picture with music. The use of the keyboards, the different time signatures that they use is not the typical rock. I guess you can say it was the alternative rock music of its time!
After only a few listens, this is one of my favorite albums. Definitely the best CD by Yes (I also have Fragile and Relayer).
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