Fragile

Nerd wizard rock that I do not want.

5/10, I was initially excited for the concept of this website, but I'm repeatedly discovering the flaws of the 1001 albums list, the sheer proliferation of forgettable dad rock. Yes is fine, it's an okay band, but fuckin' hell, a genre besides rock exists, this is easily the most bland-of-its era tripe to exist. 4/10, bad ideas are extended ad-nauseum, while the good ones are cut short, this is a snoozefest disguised under a prog label. 3/10, it just gets worse as it goes on, I don't think I've ever been less interested in a band, ah yes another track of jumbled instrumentals and pained singing, 2/10 is my final. Thank God rock is dead.

To be continued...

Absolutely incredible. This album makes a catchy, fun and interesting blend of sounds, drawing from prog rock but not falling into the classic traps of the genre. The songs, while long and complicated, are easy to like and feel very timeless. The difficult playing isn't there for difficulty's sake, but to do things a simpler composition can't do. It isn't pretentious at all by prog rock standards, the album cover is great, and i love the small tracks placed in between the longer ones as it paces the whole work perfectly. Adore this album.

This album is a trap. It lures you in with "Roundabout" - oh boy! An entire album of songs like that famous classic! - Guess again fuckface!! All you're getting is an album full of scrapped Super Mario 64 music and weird experimental jams! YOU FELL FOR IT FOOL! THUNDER CROSS SPLIT ATTACK! You know what the kids love? Random minute long instrumentals. Let's make an album that has like 3 actual songs and the rest is weird goofy noises. It's like they were trying to create the greatest album of all time but their studio got hijacked by goblins. 3/5, because "Roundabout" and "South Side of the Sky" are that good. "Heart of the Sunrise" is pretty good as well, but Yes has better prog medleys. The rest is goblin slop.

This is Yes at their peak before they are about to go off the rails. All over the place in a wonderful way with contributions from all band members. Love how each instrument/element/player is highlighted throughout the album. Wish more bands created output in this manner. They are one of the most listenable and original of prog rock groups. Prog gets a bad rap for some reason but I enjoy the structures and explorations. Quite a sonic journey.

Yes are the audio equivalent of Pringles to me. Once I start listening, I can’t stop. I listened to Fragile twice today. Then I put on Close to the Edge. Then I listened to the first and last track of Tales From Topographic Oceans (had this been a single LP with those two songs, I think it’d be more fondly remembered than it is now) and finished up with Relayer and bit of Going For the One. I don’t have a problem, YOU have a problem.

While the musicianship is clearly good, they just feel like a store brand Pink Floyd. It's Floyd-style prog without the hooks which leaves the album feeling kind of empty and, ultimately, forgettable.

You know those girls who really dig Yes? Yeah, me neither.

It was nice to hear Roundabout in its entirety. More than just a meme band, I say.

Had this one on regular repeat in my teen years. Spent a huge amount of time learning to play Mood for a Day (badly) on guitar. Still a personal favorite album decades later.

Almost half a century later and these songs still go hard. The sheer VIRTUOSITY on display here is astonishing. Like, that heavy-ass intro on "Heart of the Sunrise"? Those syncopated drums on "Long Distance Runaround"?? My mind is EXPANDING!!!

Memes aside, this is a good album

Exceptional. The keys and the rambling guitar over the top of the funky bass. Amazing.

Close to the Edge is their magnum opus but this is a really close second.

Not really my style but I appreciate that it's good music. Nice to listen to under certain conditions.

Maybe there's some music-for- musicians thing going on here, but it's not working for me, just increasing the sense that prog rock was kind of a musical dead end. Really felt like a chore listening to this today. A whole lotta noodling.

Not my bag, but I respect the players' chops. Also: 1. Google a recent photo of guitarist Steve Howe and tell me he should have been cast as Elrond in LOTR. 2. I've been working on a joke review involving the word "incel" but couldn't get there. Still, I couldn't leave this review without using that word.

Obsessed over overgangen mellom Long Distance Runaround og The Fish (Schindleria Praematurus)

Have had this music in all forms..album,8-track,cassette,cd,Spotify ..hard 5 for this one,loved it since day one

Still one of my all time favourite albums. There are sections that could probably be trimmed (South Side of the Sky could easily be 5 minutes), but I love the album. Prog rock is all about excess!

What a great album.

Je vous propose de diviser cette critique en deux parties : j'évoquerai les événements récents dans la première et formulerai une analyse de l'album dans la seconde. Première partie : Vous avez sans doute lu dans ma critique de Let It Be des Replacements les raisons pour lesquelles j'ai été convoqué devant l'Amtsgericht de ma ville de résidence en fin de semaine dernière. Pour résumer la situation, j'ai ce mercredi, et par inadvertance, tabassé une de mes élèves en raison du fait qu'elle portait un chandail à l'effigie de Morrissey. Une fois l'audience terminée, les magistrats ont délibéré et jugé que les traces de strangulation présentes sous la minerve de la victime ne pouvaient être imputées avec certitude à ma paire de mains et que les attestations fournies par les quatorze témoins présents ainsi que mes aveux n'y changeaient rien. En revanche, il a également été jugé que l'élève, heureusement sortie indemne, devait à présent porter en continue un pull imprimé d'une photo de Ray Charles en position fœtale. Celle-ci a fait appel, je vous tiendrai informés de la suite dans une critique ultérieure. Deuxième partie : Fragile du groupe Yes est un album que j'ai pris beaucoup de plaisir à écouter.

Ugh. Prog rock with classical influences. Not my thing. Some of it is fine, most of it is not.

As I've commented for earlier Yes efforts, they sound like pretty basic rock music with extra steps. So it is here - I've got a lot of tolerance for prog fiddling as long as the end result is worth it, but wasn't feeling it today

2 1/2 stars. I found this a bit of a difficult album to wade through. I have never been a Rick Wakeman or Yes fan. Having said that there are a few songs that I can get into somewhat like America and Roundabout which may have to do more with familiarity than anything else. Of the songs a I haven't listened to previously Heart of Sunrise is good. I understand the influence of this album.

I loved this. “Nerd wizard rock” that I DO want hahaha. I was unfamiliar with this band + album before this listen, but there were a ton of sound bites I recognized from sampling in modern media. Altogether very fun.

When you listen to "The Yes Album" to "Fragile" to "Close To The Edge," you can definitely feel the band upping their game. With the addition of Rick Wakeman into the mix, the band gets the progressive sound they were looking for. Bill Bruford stated that Rick Wakeman is one of the few players he knows who does not have an ounce of jazz in his playing. The solo pieces on the album are a bit of a throwaway, but they are definitely re-listenable. If it wasn't for "Five Percent For Nothing," Bruford would not have grown to the composer and musician he is today. The big song for them, THE hit: "Roundabout". I had first heard the live version of this that is on the "Classic Yes" compilation. So the whole acoustic opening I had missed. It really brings a lot to the song, but I still like the live version. Can I listen to this song over and over again? More than I can "I've Seen All Good People". And "Roundabout" (for me) isn't the best song on the album. That would have to go to "Heart of the Sunrise". Bruford and Squire's interaction in the beginning is exquisite. The album has a lot of great pieces, and is definitely up higher for me than the previous album. Not as good as "Close To The Edge," but it is still a great and important album. If someone asked me what Yes is all about, this would be one of the albums I tell them to listen to. Classic.

My absolute favorite Yes album - in fact, this is a desert-isle disk for me. Roundabout is such an iconic tune - that first reversed piano chord followed by Steve Howe's iconic harmonics is just perfect. I first listened to this on vinyl and there was a little crackling sound in the background that always made this sound like it was being played on a rainy day. Probably one of the few experiences I preferred on vinyl. The classical guitar intro leads into a rocking tune, driven by Chris Squire's awesome bass line. Particularly love the interlude (the section singing about an eagle). The whole song is outstanding, especially live. Cans and Brahms is the first of the five individual showcase tracks. It's fine - Rick Wakeman could have contributed something better, but it's ok because he took Yes to a new level in joining the band for the first time on this album. We Have Heaven is the second showcase and it lets you know what an army of Jon Andersons singing would sound like - y'know, if you ever wanted to know that. South Side of the Sky is awesome - a hard-edged song (especially live) - you can almost feel the struggle of an expedition in the snowy mountains or south pole, whatever it was supposed to be. After Five per cent for Nothing, a throwaway showcase track (apologies to Bill Bruford), we hit the classic jazzy Long Distance Runaround followed by The Fish, showcasing Chris Squire - he used to ham it up live and solo really dramatically...I remember how he would hold his bass straight up and would slowly pluck this super-deep bass note and let it ring out, vibrating the entire arena. In fact, I need to take a moment to point out Squire's incredible bass sound and style on this entire album. He was so unique - RIP, bass god. Next, the final individual showcase - Mood for a Day, a beautiful Spanish guitar piece by Steve Howe that I've played more times on guitar than I can count (or at least tried to). Finally, Heart of the Sunrise - one of my favorite songs. Not favorite Yes songs - favorite songs period. I read recently that Steve Howe felt the opening riff had a very King Crimson sound. I don't know if I hear it, but it's an amazing song (and, again, even more so live - these guys were an amazing live band). The frenetic beginning followed by the mysterious sounding section with Wakeman's keys building over Squire's awesome bass line - Billy B. building the drum line from simple to more complex as it proceeds, and Steve Howe joining in with a quiet yet building version of the opening motif until they all come together with that frenetic opening riff again. Then we reach the verse, which feels like floating down a river, complete with ebbs and flows, followed by side trips down musical tributaries, all building to a final majestic finale. Ok, I'll settle down now. I don't know how this album sounds to non-prog fan ears - I imagine it's a tough listen for some - but to this prog fan Fragile is as good as it gets. One of the easiest 5s I'll give.

From all the first 3 seconds on all albums, this must be one of the best.

What can be said about this album beyond Wow! I was fortunate enough to see them live once. What a fantastic show.

One of my favorite albums of all time. It's what got me inspired to pick up an instrument back in middle school.

Y E S

bruh its fragile

Keigoei grief joeng

Discazo!! A++

Steve Howe!

One of the OG prog rock bands and a really good listen. Massively influential to so many acts following in their footsteps

This is that shit that has Roundabout on it. A lot more than just Roundabout - lots of prog rock shit going on. Pretty good album imo.

Rick Wakeman's debut for Yes is a masterpiece

Fragile The Yes albums we’ve had are mixed up with the ELP album in my memory, so it’s hard to place this one in that context. Looking back at the reviews I didn’t seem to care much for Close to the Edge but I didn’t mind The Yes Album. But I actually can’t really remember much about either of them. I know Roundabout, apart from Owner of Lonely Heart, it must be their most famous song, and it is brilliant; a catchy melody, an excellent bass line, some great spacey synth noises, a superb keyboard solo, nice acoustic and electric guitars and a suitably melodramatic sense of pomposity. Reading about how it was constructed is pretty interesting, but my favourite thing I read is the genesis of it: ‘The song originated when the band were on tour and travelled from Aberdeen to Glasgow, and went through many roundabouts on the way.’ Inspirationally Craig David-esque. Thereafter, despite it having the usual, undeniably amusing tang of prog rock self importance, it never veers into overbearing and I found myself enjoying it, it feels like what I’d imagined Prog Rock to sound like before I actually listened to any of it. Cans and Brahms is probably the one of the few sour notes for me, feeling a little pretentiously forgettable, but We Have Heaven is enjoyably daft with its folky playground feel and South Side of the Sky is really good, giddily powered by the kind of portentous Prog riffing that is genuinely enjoyable. Five Per Cent For Nothing is thankfully brief, but the keyboards and piano are great on Long Distance Runaround, it’s a relatively straightforwardly accessible bit of Prog pop, with a Supertramp feel, segueing nicely into the The Fish, with its nicely haughty latin in parentheses, and an insistent groove - another good track. As are the rather earnest folk stylings of Mood for A Day. And the Heart of the Sunrise is an enjoyably serious Prog workout, never staying in one place for too long and playing on the margins of disappearing up it’s own fundament, just about staying out of the brown zone. Sonically this is great too, the bass tone (and playing) is excellent and I love the drum sound, it has that really dampened but resonant quality to it, and the keyboards have a great imperiously bombastic feel to them. I don’t know whether because it’s my last working day before Christmas so I’m in a good mood and I therefore imagined a sense of humour and sense of self awareness amongst the self importance and magniloquence, but I didn’t find this annoying in the way I did their other albums. I really got into it, growing into it on repeat listens, so much so I’m going 4, as it feels like the only Prog Rock album I want to listen to again 🫡🫡🫡🫡 Playlist submission: Roundabout

to be honest except Roundabout for becoming a meme i can vibe to, this album really hit a miss with me, i can't find myself to enjoy it, Edit 1 : i like the second half of the album where it's just beat i could vibe to without the necessary vocals that ruins the melody listened 4/9/2024

I liked this. Close to the Edge is better tho.

While I really like some of the tracks, the full album gets a bit much. Unless of course you are high!

Man Roundabout would make for a bizarrely good anime outro (👀). I love this sound it’s like psychedelic but still rock and head boppy. Very fun album but I have a enemy stand user to go take care of now

The album kinda sucks you in, starting with an amazing track in Roundabout. The rest doesn't quite hit the same and sometimes feels a little experimental. I still really enjoyed it, but they kind show their entire hand in the first track.

No. 247/1001 Roundabout 3/5 (5x) Cans and Brahms 3/5 We Have Haven 3/5 South Side of the Sky 3/5 (5x) Five per Cent for Nothing NR Long Distance Runaround 4/5 (2x) The Fish 3/5 (2x) Mood for a Day 4/5 (2x) Heart of the Sunrise 3/5 (7x) Average: 3,16 Prog album that works a lot of classical music into the songs. Pretty good, but no song that I will come back to.

Half of this album is “Roundabout” and “Heart of the Sunrise”. Not really a complaint, but I don’t know what it is with prog rock and its marathon songs. The thing is, most of the rest of the album were short instrumentals that didn’t really match the energy of “Roundabout” or even “South Side of the Sky”. Makes me think that the construction of the album was fiddled with a bit too much, but I guess that was normal for prog rock of this era.

This album must be Italian or something. As of this morning I had only listened to two songs, but I finished it just so I could make that joke. This was decent. Liked Mood for a Day.

Bookended by good rocking pieces. Questionable mid section. Not the classic I was expecting. A low 3/5

Legendary prog rock album that I’ve enjoyed in the past but for some reason a listen through didn’t do it for me, seems scattered and not as cohesive as I remembered it. 3 stars with the hope that the yes album and closer to the edge will come up and get higher ratings

I did not particularly like this. It seemed too pleased with itself and noodly. They needed a good editor to try snd make sense of the ideas here.

No

Goofy carnival bullshit. Roundabout is ok so I’ll bump it up to two stars.

Pretty much what I expected from a Yes album, a few bright moments but mostly obnoxious and full of random noises.

Like being stuck in a 'Dazed and Confused' scene, but the music sucks. 'Mood for a Day' is okay.

A benefit of beaming these records onto a hotel television is my wife’s opinion on the music and Spotify band photos: “This is “get a grip” as well. Go to the gym. Get a haircut. Go for a run. Go see a dentist. This is not music I could like.” When the band show a flash of groove - like the start of South Side of the Sky - they immediately fidget out of it and thwart fun: they’re awful at flirting, and can only flirt, and were I not under an obligation I would not have stayed beyond hors d’œuvres. Fragile has the constituent components of a passable ZZ Top EP, an alright Sweet LP, a sub-par Shellac letter to friends, and a moderately successful Gypsy Kings single, but tragically they are Yes.

So the first thing I thought when I saw the name of the album, is this going to be in French? Get it? A Christmas Story? Nevermind.... And that is what I got form this album. Me thinking bout a Christmas movie. Roundabout is a decent tune, but when you're putting out 10 minutes songs, you're taking your music and your band way too seriously. To quote me, from my last Yes album review, Yes is a big No. I'll score 2. Just because it wasn't outright annoying. And now, to finish off my self proclaimed Prince week. On this beautiful Friday afternoon, 69 day no less, I'll leave you with my final lyric that I hope will inspire you on this wonderful holiday. Yes, 69 day is considered a holiday in many places, but you have to be a true believer to find those places. Fellow Prince fans know that place! Anyway..... Let's go crazy Let's get nuts Let's look for the purple banana Until they put us in the truck, let's go!

A pet peeve of mine is documentaries featuring snotty punks from the ’70s claiming they saved music from the pretension and overindulgence of prog-rock—reducing the complex dynamics of culture, history, art, and creativity to the inane binarism of 'few chords = good, many chords = bad.' But now having listened to this album, I think I kind of get it.

My friends in prog places would have my guts for garters for saying this, but I find it difficult to listen to most prog rock artists. It's too hard to hitch your attention to any single instrument or melody for more than a nanosecond. Gentle Giant's Octopus is the exception (inexplicably). When ‘We Have Heaven' came on, I had a horrendous flashback to my dad playing this record while doing the pools in the Express and Star, which meant it was Sunday. Say No to Yes. NB: if any of my listening peers made it through the whole album, I commend you.

God I hate prog.

Prog was a dirty word to those of us who grew up in the wake of punk. And Yes was the band that would get held up as an example of the self-indulgent and excessive. And usually poor Rick Wakeman in his cape was the pinup to aim that hatred at. But - culture politics in the bin where they belong - prog bands ruled, hacking and slashing genres in bonkers time signatures and strange tunings and dropping elephantine riffs (Heart of the Sunrise!). And this album is particular shows off new organist Wakeman’s incredible virtuosity. I can’t find a fault in it, so it’s a five.

Grandes desarrollos instrumentales. Un disco de 1971

Classic awesomeness

A good contender against the might of Genesis.

A prog classic, ain’t no doubt. I know and love this album so much.

One of my favorite Yes albums.

Okay! So Nick actually had this album on vinyl and he hadn’t listened to it yet!!! So we listened to it over our speakers and it was actually so good. I really enjoy the layers, I really like the funky 70s vibes. And though it was different, it was still very good. I’m happy I have it on vinyl! And I feel like it’s going to be one I reach for again!

An all-time classic of classic rock. Not much to dispute here; the level of musicianship on display across this carnival-like mind trip of an album is virtually unmatched.

The musical bond on Fragile is anything but, with an egoless back-and-forth between virtuosic group cuts and tight solo explorations that add individual colors to the collective canvas.

Love this era of Yes and this album. Steve Howe was also a big influence on my guitar playing so listening through this again was like a virtual lesson.

A prog rock masterpiece. Of course there's 1-2 tracks you can skip, but there's lots to love – if you like prog rock. And even if the runtimes or time changes aren't your bag, baby, you can appreciate the songwriting, harmonies and guitar SHA-REDDING. I would tell any young guitarist to learn this album front to back. Not only will you learn a ton of techniques and styles, you'll also hear a bunch of pedals and effects to blow all your allowance on. Miscellaneous other thoughts: -I think The Police, Pink Floyd and Rush are probably easier prog bands to get into for someone making their music journey because they're more pop-y. But Yes is still worth checking out -Roundabout – best Yes song? Probably. But more importantly and controversially – best prog rock song ever? I think it's up there, along with the best Pink Floyd or early Genesis tracks. It's got a lot going on. -I probably overrate Yes compared to the average person. But that's only because I was weird enough to ask for the box set for my birthday one year as a youth, then saw them at the NY State Fairgrounds. But hey, they still sounded great 40 years after they formed, so that says something about their talent -If you didn't like this one, just be glad they didn't pick one of the hourlong Yes albums with only 3 songs on it!

YES! Always been a big Yes fan and tho there is some filler, Roundabout is a masterpiece. Long Distance Runaround, Heart of the Sunrise are great songs as well. Jon Anderson's voice sounds great, Rick Wakeman a wizard on the keyboards. Yes sir I'll have another.

One of the few progressive rock albums that actually has a sense of genuine to it, a sense of human. It's not edgy just for the sake of being edgy, it's not full of bs music theory that requires a certain level of insane mental tolerance to actually understand (sorry Dream Theater), and not existing primarily to mean nothing. And im all here for it 5 stars

Yes!!!

very hood

Roundabout is peak, that is all

Pretty fun album. Underrated imo. My first time hearing the work of Yes, so I'll be delighted to hear more here.

Masterpiece of prog eccentricity. Dynamic, weird, and beautiful all at once, there's something for everyone in this remarkable, fun record

YES, at its best which means progressive rock at its finest which means music from the 20th century at its best which means buy, borrow or steal this album ASAP you need to hear it sometime before you leave the planet. Headphones are not required but strongly encouraged!

q de puta madre este disco, locuron, me flipa. LOS ARMONICOOOOS, EL BAJOOOO, AAAAAA

I am a proud prog nerd so I gotta talk a little bit about this absolute masterpiece. Even after more than 50 years, this album is still icojic and still sooo good. The intro and first bassline kickoff became very famous over last years and I am very glad, but unfortunate thing that very little of the people that know Roundabout from a meme actually know what is that genius music they're hearing. Fragile, just like In The Court Of The Crimson King, is one of the most important and essential albums of the genre, it helped to define it. Fragile is beautiful, energetic, but still has its mellow, but positive moments, the instrumental is ahead of its time, just a gorgeous record from start to finish. I also recommend people check out new Steven Wilson's remix of this album 'cause it's very good. So, my prog enthusiast heart adores Fragile, it's what I seek in music.

This was an actual experience.

## In-Depth Review of *Fragile* by Yes *Fragile*, released in 1971, stands as a cornerstone of progressive rock and a defining moment in Yes’s career. The album is notable for its ambitious musical architecture, inventive production, and the synergy of its classic lineup: Jon Anderson (vocals), Steve Howe (guitar), Chris Squire (bass), Bill Bruford (drums), and Rick Wakeman (keyboards)[3][4]. This review examines the album’s lyrics, music, production, themes, and influence, followed by a balanced assessment of its strengths and weaknesses. --- ## Lyrics **Impressionistic and Thematic Depth** Jon Anderson’s lyrics on *Fragile* are renowned for their impressionistic, often abstract quality. Rather than telling straightforward stories, Anderson crafts poetic images that evoke emotion and philosophical reflection. - “South Side of the Sky” explores humanity’s struggle against death, using the metaphor of a perilous journey across icy landscapes. The lyrics are dark and atmospheric, countering the misconception that Yes’s music is merely whimsical or escapist[1]. - “Heart of the Sunrise” juxtaposes the overwhelming power of nature (“the power of the sunrise”) with feelings of alienation in the urban environment, reflecting on the search for meaning and belonging[1][3]. - “Roundabout,” the album’s most famous track, employs surreal imagery inspired by the band’s travels, blending landscape with introspective musings. The lyrics are cryptic, but the song’s recurring motifs of movement and journeying resonate with listeners[2][3]. Solo tracks like “We Have Heaven” (Anderson’s multi-tracked vocals) and “The Fish” (Squire’s bass-driven soundscape) use minimal lyrics or wordless vocals, focusing instead on mood and musical texture[2][3]. **Pros:** - Evocative and open to interpretation, allowing listeners to find personal meaning. - Themes of struggle, transcendence, and wonder are universal. **Cons:** - The abstract nature of the lyrics can feel impenetrable or pretentious to some listeners. - Occasional lack of narrative cohesion. --- ## Music **Virtuosity and Innovation** *Fragile* is a showcase of instrumental virtuosity and compositional daring. The band’s interplay is tight, intricate, and dynamic, with each member contributing both as an ensemble player and as a soloist. - “Roundabout” opens with a classical guitar riff before expanding into a complex suite featuring Moog synthesizer, harpsichord, electric and acoustic guitars, and layered vocals. The arrangement is ambitious but remains melodic and accessible[2][4]. - “South Side of the Sky” features angular guitar riffs, shifting time signatures, and a haunting piano/vocal interlude, demonstrating the band’s ability to merge rock energy with classical sophistication[1][3]. - “Heart of the Sunrise” is the album’s technical and emotional peak, with rapid-fire unison riffs (inspired by King Crimson’s “21st Century Schizoid Man”), dynamic contrasts, and a soaring vocal performance. Bill Bruford’s drumming and Chris Squire’s bass work are particularly inventive, driving the song through complex rhythmic terrain[1][3]. - The solo tracks are miniatures highlighting each member’s strengths: - “Cans and Brahms” (Wakeman) is a playful adaptation of Brahms, using a variety of keyboard timbres[2][3]. - “We Have Heaven” (Anderson) layers multiple vocal lines in a polyphonic web. - “Five Per Cent for Nothing” (Bruford) is a brief, rhythmically complex percussion piece. - “The Fish” (Squire) creates a “symphony of bass guitars,” exploring the instrument’s full range[2][3]. - “Mood for a Day” (Howe) is a solo classical guitar piece, warm and technically impressive. **Pros:** - Dazzling musicianship and innovative arrangements. - Balance between group compositions and individual showcases. - Seamless integration of rock, classical, and jazz influences. **Cons:** - The solo pieces, while interesting, can disrupt the album’s flow and feel like filler to some listeners[2]. - Complexity may alienate listeners seeking straightforward rock. --- ## Production **Clarity and Ambition** Produced by Yes and Eddy Offord, *Fragile* is notable for its clarity and adventurous studio techniques. The production is clean, with each instrument occupying its own space, yet the overall sound is lush and immersive. - The use of overdubbing, particularly on Wakeman’s keyboards and Anderson’s vocals, creates a rich, layered texture[2][3]. - The album’s sequencing alternates between full-band epics and solo interludes, maintaining listener interest and showcasing the group’s range. - Roger Dean’s iconic cover art complements the music’s fantastical and exploratory spirit, becoming synonymous with the band’s identity[3]. **Pros:** - High-fidelity sound that highlights instrumental detail. - Creative use of studio technology for the era. - Cohesive sonic identity despite diverse material. **Cons:** - Some solo tracks feel underdeveloped or experimental compared to the main songs. - The album’s ambitious scope occasionally leads to uneven pacing. --- ## Themes **Exploration, Struggle, and Transcendence** *Fragile*’s themes are rooted in exploration—both musical and existential. The album’s lyrics and music reflect: - The struggle against adversity (“South Side of the Sky”). - The search for meaning in a confusing world (“Heart of the Sunrise”). - The joy of discovery and the beauty of the natural world (“Roundabout”). - Individual expression within a collective context (the solo tracks). The album’s title itself suggests both the vulnerability and the resilience of the creative process and human experience[5]. --- ## Influence *Fragile* was a breakthrough for Yes, propelling them to international fame and solidifying their place in the progressive rock pantheon. - The album reached the Top 10 in both the UK and US, with “Roundabout” becoming a radio staple[1][3][4]. - Its blend of technical mastery, adventurous composition, and accessible melodies influenced countless progressive and non-progressive acts. - The album’s structure—alternating group and solo pieces—was innovative and inspired other bands to experiment with album formats. - Roger Dean’s cover art became a visual template for progressive rock aesthetics[3]. *Fragile* is often cited alongside King Crimson and Emerson, Lake & Palmer as a foundational work of the genre, helping to define the sound and ambition of 1970s progressive rock[4]. --- ## Pros and Cons | Pros | Cons | |-----------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------| | Exceptional musicianship and interplay | Solo tracks can feel like filler or disrupt flow | | Innovative arrangements and production | Abstract lyrics may alienate some listeners | | Iconic cover art and visual identity | Occasional pretentiousness in concept and execution | | Balance of accessibility (“Roundabout”) and complexity | Uneven pacing due to alternating track types | | Groundbreaking influence on progressive rock | Not all experiments fully succeed | --- ## Conclusion *Fragile* remains a landmark album in the history of rock music—a bold statement of artistic intent and technical prowess. Its blend of group epics and individual showcases, poetic lyrics, and innovative production have ensured its enduring legacy. While its ambition occasionally leads to unevenness, the album’s highlights—“Roundabout,” “South Side of the Sky,” and “Heart of the Sunrise”—are among the most compelling in the progressive rock canon. For both longtime fans and newcomers, *Fragile* offers a journey that is as rewarding as it is challenging, a testament to the enduring power of creative risk-taking.

Time signature and note buffet with the occasional studio trickery is all ryan bait. Brufford and Squire are my all-time favourite backbeat duo. Howe's slithery fingers dazzle and punch out guitar accents alongside Wakeman's wizardry, likely the greatest rock keyboardist, are a treat throughout. Anderson's vocals are pristine... and then you throw Squire's harmonies on top of that. Glorious. This is one of those 'if I had one album on an island' type of records. Absolutely love.

Great Progressive Rock band and album. Probably in my personal top 100.

Yes! Goed album, soms een rare verhouding in lengte van de nummers, maar wel echt goede muziek

5 mil estrelas

I love this album!

One of my all time faves... brilliant musicianship... great songs... fantastic album from start to finish... a masterpiece.

5/5 its great

This was really good, I was so excited to see more Yes on the list.

Classic. The first vinyl record i ever bought.

One of my favorite prog albums.

I know this one! My dad is a big fan of Yes and had most of their catalog on CD. Definitely remember this one though it's been a while since I've done a full listen. Some of my favorite Yes songs are in here like Roundabout, Long Distance Runaround, and Heart Of The Sunrise. Forgot how much The Fish jams. The other songs are fine, though admittedly not super special or memorable. This is going to be a 5 for me, but on the lower end of the 5 spectrum.

Among the prog powerhouses, Yes is certainly in the top tier right alongside King Crimson. They are always good, and when they are great, they are untouchable. This album is in that latter category and Yes repeatedly makes a case for inclusion of prog into mainstream rock without diluting the brand. Roundabout kicks things off with a propulsive bassline and some of the finest organ soloing this side of the Mississippi. I think this was among the earliest songs that helped me realize a personal proclivity towards music with strong, forward basslines. Cans and Brahms is a quirky segue into classical cannon. Weird, but its par for the course with Yes. We Have Heaven is more a transitory piece than anything else. An experimentation in vocal layering that gives way to silence before bleeding over to South Side of the Sky -- one of my favorite non-singles here. Absolutely love the tension in the instrumental and proggy composition with dramatic internal shifts in tempo and style. Long Distance Runaround is another standout here. Much brighter in tone than the rest so far, but plenty of bass to sink your teeth into. Just a fantastic little ditty. The Fish is a wonderfully crusty sounding open jam of a piece. Then there is Mood for a Day, a stripped back bit of clean flamenco guitar strutting. The album rounds on Heart of Sunshine, which has drums and a soul that remind me of KC's Larks Tongues. Love this song. Great all around album. Soft 5 / 5 for me.

This is cool as hell. I feel that this has a very diverse sound such that it consistently demands your attention without becoming a chore. In the best way possible, large parts of this reminds me of the most enchanting video game background music ever, like a Sonic stage on acid or something. Best of all, there's no pretence that any of these lyrics really mean anything, so you never get the grating pretentiousness you might otherwise expect from such an eccentric album. Maybe there's one or two tracks I could do without, but that won't stop me from giving this a 5*.

Perfection. I loved it. Especially the longer tracks like roundabout and the last one on the album being 11:30 min.

One of the prog greats. I prefer Close to the Edge but Fragile is a solid second place. I like how the sides are split between group and solo contributions. The solo ones are stripped down but not lacking in spite of that.

Отличный альбом. Помимо песни из мема "to be continued", которая сама по себе очень хороша и представляет из себя сложный восьмиминутный басо-гитарный запил со сложной мелодичной структурой, тут есть небольшой психоделический вальс и несколько абсолютно отбитых (в хорош смысле) с точки зрения музыкальной сложности и структуры песен. Слушаешь это и понимаешь где черпали вдохновение гиззы и прочие тейм импалы. Это база и основа, слушать всем!