Reviews (page 3 of 8)
Better each listen. I have always like the title track, but this time "And You and I" stood out more than I ever thought. Also Chris Squire is a menace on the bass! 4/5
Was not excited for this but really liked it. Despite it being mostly instruments I was drawn in throughout. Will be back to listen again. Love getting things like this where I have low expectations and it turns out well.
ooh i've listened to this one
I really enjoyed the previous album by Yes that I had on this list, but I do think this one is more of my style. It's deep and rich, taking you in a nice journey across the tracks. Instantly liked it but feel like it could grow even more if I picked it up again tomorrow. Favourite: And You and I
4/5 https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/yes/close-to-the-edge/ Prog I can appreciate!
Not on the same level as Fragile but still a really good album
pretty good
4.1
If there was a Prog video game, this would be the final boss.
A bit of a wild listen. Very creative and exciting experimental (progressive?) rock.
Being a fan of the electric bass I have always know. Chris Squire’s best riff ‘Roundabout’. That is nothing in comparison to what he does here, which is all over the place in the most masterful way. You have to love an album that is 37 minutes and only has three songs. It makes picking a key track so much easier (Siberian Khartoum, btw) because I can say I loved 33% of the album and strongly appreciated the rest. The opening track Close to the Edge is a Tour d’Force. Musically, there are so many transitions and time changes and key changes and style changes, and it works. What I liked most about Siberian Khartoum was it was the most straightforward piece, allowing each musician to show off their own unique talents set to a relatively consistent pocket. I have say I also love the background talking and harmonic play at the beginning of And You & I because it personalized an otherwise celestial album. This is definitely not dance music, but insofar as prog rock, this is a solid submission. I say Yes!
No denying that this is great music. I wish it was instrumental only, I kind of never cared for Yes' singer. Still, worth a listen.
I actually own this album on vinyl, not bragging or anything just pointing out that I am already a fan of their work. The vocals are very unique and for me it is immediately identifiable as Yes. Great music that has a nice lite rock vibe. I like to listen to it at home when relaxing or when cleaning. For me it's a great work and every song on the album is a joy to listen to.
gran experiencia
Yes... it's prog
Mild
This originally took me to the deluxe version of the album, which doesn’t even include the title track for some reason. Switching to the original release was a much better listening experience.
4/5 Best Song: And You and I Worst Song: N/A Weirdest Song: Yes Honorable Mention: Not Enough Songs Close to the Edge is a wonderful prog-rock balancing act of weirdness and ecstasy that is unlike anything I've ever heard before. Great to listen to in traffic at max volume with the windows down if you want to turn heads.
#9 This was an interesting listen. I am not well versed in Prog Rock, so this appears to be a good introduction. This is 70s rock presented like a symphony, with lots of unique instrumentation and plenty of weirdness. It does get lost in its own excess at times. I feel like this album requires several listens to fully process, and I could see myself coming back to this again.
The instrumentation was the most complicated work of musical art I have experienced thus far!
Really solid prog album. Yes have always veered a little bit too hard into the whimsical for me, but it's hard to pick faults with Close To The Edge. Especially with a track like Siberian Khatru.
4/5
Pretty good prog music the guys voice can get a little grating but I liked it overall
Not something I relisten often but it’s pretty good
Supertramp en 1000 fois plus prog, belle découverte même si pas facile à digérer !
Det finnes en usynlig men høyst reell grense som skiller to segmenter av prog fra hverandre. Den ene siden huser det chaotiske & livsbejaende; den andre det ryddige og sterile. Som de fleste grenser som er verdt å studere, er denne naturligvis også en gradient heller enn et klart skille. Den første proggen kom først og var en avlegger av den livsbejaende jazzen. Så kom det en gjeng med nørds som tenkte: fy faen dette er det kuleste som finnes, sånn vil jeg også gjøre. Så de studerer det som egentlig skal føles, og vi ender opp med den andre proggen: en gjeng med teknisk dyktige nørds som trodde at essensen i proggen var teknisk virtuositet, polytmer, takskifter, og keyboards. Poenget er: Yes er et band som oppererer i gradienten av grensen. Faller de den ene veien eller den andre? I dette tilfellet mener jeg de fortsatt spiller den livsbejande proggen, men det er hele tiden et utilsiktet faremoment: skal de slå over i steril flinkismusikk? Og derfor heter denne skiva Close to the Edge.
Jeg sukket litt da jeg så sporlista med tre lange låter. Tenkte det kom til å bli 40 min med runking. Det var litt det også, men det var overraskende mye Beatles og Hendrix i det som funka bra. Nå skjønner jeg også mer av hvor norske progband kommer fra.
Det va helt ok, men ikke så veldig interessant.
I enjoyed this one a lot, very creative
Only 3 songs
Pretty immense first track, rest of it is also good but not to the same level for me
Mukavaa progea, oikein kunnon tykittelyäkin. Laulajan ääni vaan turhan pikkupoikamainen omaan makuun.
Olihan se ny taattua Yessiä, ei voi ku tykätä.
Better than average
This rating is for the main album, not the deluxe edition. I really like Yes. I really like this album. I don't think it's amazing or a masterpiece though. Great album 4/5
This was an amazing record. Favourite Track(s): Close to the Edge Least Favourite Track(s): And You and I
Solid prog rock album. It has all the stuff you want from this kind of record: long songs, big shifts, a lot of technical playing, and just enough weirdness to keep it interesting without disappearing completely up its own ass. "I Get Up, I Get Down" was great and “And You and I” was really strong too. “Siberian Khatru” had a lot of energy and was a good way to close it out.
I was ready to hate this but damn, it comes out of the gate math-y as hell, but as quickly as it came it collapsed into its Prog Bullshit. Compared to Fragile, I feel like there's a lot more to like here. They stuck with having three songs and cut the filler, so much the better. They're experimenting with instrumentation and transitions, which, for better or worse, keeps it moving. Not sure how I feel about the pipe organ to super mario music, but hey, they went for it. The density here feels a bit more connected than Fragile (which is basically all I'm going to compare this album) to and despite the fact that it is ultimately 70s prog rock, there's no denying the great shit going on here.
Yes is one of the few tolerable prog bands for me
I need more time on this, listened to it on the background
3.6 Some pretty decent early prog. Third (and final) track was my favourite. Started off slow but got better as it went on, nothing to really dislike about it.
Pretty cool prog rock. low 4/5
Prog rock classic
3.5 - Good
4.2
That was mighty
I do like a bit of “Light Prog” for example Rush, Floyd. Turns out Yes are the Top Prog Gods! Haha. Very intricate and noodley. I have to admit that I have no idea what it was all about but it was fun to listen to.
When Yes hit the sweet spot of experimental they are so good and they were pretty close here. Not quite as good as Fragile but still loads to like here. Loads of parts that kept surprising me how much they sound like Battles, little choppy repetitive bits that fit together into something complex. The long song lengths generally means there's a bit of filler as was the case here but still a really good album.
Really nice album. Not as good as Fragile, mind. I didn't care for the stuff on the bonus CD, the strange version of America isn't my cup of tea. Long, experimental songs, singing that pierces through. Yes.
It's been nearly 3 years since our last Yes album on the list! This one was probably sparser than I remember. It is very good though, but I actually remember enjoying the other more. Still go back to that one sometimes. 3.5
It's not my favorite, but Close to the Edge sees Yes at their most expressive and their most artistic (from the albums I've heard, at least). "Close to the Edge" offers memorable and quotable moments that feel almost like pop songs, and not a monolithic 18-minute progressive sprawl. "Siberian Khatru" is the closest they get to a pop song on this album, and it's great and precise, with a load of funkiness that vaguely represents the sound on Fragile. There isn't a dull moment on here, just punch after punch of great ideas executed perfectly. Objectively, a pantheon of prog music.
El pináculo del rock progresivo, sin dudas es de los álbumes más sólidos y solo tiene 3 temas, que son obras monumentales, sin dudas mi favorita es Close to the Edge.
When I first started this project, I had a real glut of prog albums at the beginning and I really enjoyed it. I’ll always be happy to see a Yes album come up. This one was good. I thought the three song format would annoy me but it works fine. What I’ve noticed about Yes is that I love when they get soft and sweet- the middle of “Close to the Edge” is a perfect example. It’s beautiful, and I wish they would do that more often. FOUR STARS
I seem to recall in Bono's book him saying that this was The Edge's favorite album at the time they started the band, yet I don't think that's why he's called the Edge. I've heard this before in the last couple years, and yet it all sounds new and strange. Not the worst music for getting through your day.
This was a better listen than I was expecting. This has aged pretty well, and if I had been into these guys back in the day, I would probably still be a fan now. I can't really get down with the vocals, but the music is great and I'll probably come back to this next time I'm in a good mood and making a really big salad.
love me some yes
Close to the Edge is a great album. The first song at 18 minutes would seem to be long but keeps your attention until the end. Prog Rock lyrics can be a little nonsensical and I really wasn’t paying attention but the musicianship on this album was top notch. I’m glad I heard it.
Damn good for a prof album
I usually start listening to the album with the Spotify-link, and then check track listenings on Wikipedia to see what songs were on the original album (many later versions have extra songs, remixes and so on that I don’t necessary want to use my time on) And I have never seen a bigger difference between the original album and what I started listening to: The opening track Close to the edge of 18.42 mins wasn’t even included! So I found another version and restarted my listen-through. This is definetly progrock. It varies from top notch, to a little too much to take in on one listening. I didn’t have time for a round two, though. So I’m giving it a 4* in good belief that it deserves that. Favourite song: And You And I
Some of my favorite prog rock I’ve had on here. That America cover ripped.
This has to be one of the best examples of 70's prog rock ever. If there is another one it would probably be another Yes album. Don't let the 19 minute long first track scare you it has a few movements so it doesn't feel long or heavy. It's a fun listen, well worth your time The band are insanely great musicians, Anderson's vocals are amazing. It's a great album. Now I am biased here, a friend of mine introduced me to them decades ago in high school and I fell in love with their sound. I regret not seeing them live when I had the chance to.
I'm always unable to remember the other tracks on this but the self-titled goes really hard
It was dope, but inconsistent.
Yep pretty bloody good. Keen to give this one a few more listens
Unfortunately, I was not able to listen to the whole thing in one go. Loved the first and third songs. I need to pay closer attention to the second one.
First track is an absolute masterpiece. All over the place in the best way. Second track holds up. Third one was not my cup of tea. Altogether, this feels like a band that should’ve been known for more than their biggest hit. This is a phenomenal record. 9/10
Actually quite enjoyable although just stick to the original album rather than the deluxe set!
I turned my brain off and worked with this on and it got me in the zone. That’s about all I can say right now without a more focused listen but it was incredibly fun and stimulating start to finish.
This was a neat journey! Made neater by the lyrics apparently being inspired by Herman Hesse’s Siddhartha. I was thinking 3 but Siberian Khatru was an awesome way to close it out soooooo here’s a 4 I guess.
Automatically adding stars based on the obvious passion and feeling behind the music. I didn’t listen to the lyrics very closely, but they come across with a lot more depth and meaning and intentionality than most other popular music. And stars for experimenting, expanding music, and weirdness. I would much rather listen to weird music nerds than people who think they’re super cool and badass but are actually just bland (Oasis). It’s definitely not boring. The production seems balanced, and the overall album feels balanced in soaring vocals and moments of stillness and quiet. I didn’t know what prog rock meant before I listened to yes. But I like it. I appreciate its place in music history and can now understand it as a bridge between ling 60s rock n roll and the harder, more experimental, rock and punk to come after. I also always appreciate musicians than can blend genres in ways that make something new, not just an homage or gimmick. They did it really well.
not for me
I had heard of Yes but hadn't ever given them a listen. It's interesting to hear another early pioneer of progressive rock. I think Pink Floyd regularly overshadows Yes and King Crimson probably does, too, at least in my experience but I think Yes should get more recognition outside of prog rock circles for what they can do. Overall, a super solid album with really interesting ideas and concepts throughout.
Kul! Första låten meh, andra två sköna! Go musik att lyssna på!
One of the best prog albums out there
I’ve found out through this that I really like Yes. I thought they were a bit more on the Dream Theatre side of prog, but this was great. Shockingly, I thought it was a little short! Would have liked a few more songs but yeah, solid.
8/10 – Very Good
so close to giving this a 5 but i don't know how to feel about everything being compiled into 3 tracks. i think it's a very cool concept, i'd just prefer to more easily listen to individual parts (I Get Up, I Get Down had me feeling like i was seeing god, for example), without having to skim through it all. but i had a good time and i really like Yes' sound! will likely relisten
Not bad at all. I like their music. Very well thought through and beautifully written. It ages well too. Not the most catchy or memorable but very solid piece of work. It takes some time to write music like this. Singing is not that good tho. I’m being very picky about his voice only because I think this album has the potential to be a five. It’s actually not too bad but not good enough to push the album to the next level.
After a few albums from Yes, I can certainly say I'm not a huge fan of the way they set up their albums. I would much rather prefer separate tracks instead of a handful of longer ones, but either way, I really enjoyed this listen. I also usually stick to the original release, but special shoutout to America on the expanded edition. Would be down to listen to this one again.
I had no idea this album has so much lore. Takes repeated listens, but an indulgence for any prog fan (that would be me). Bruford's last stand, and though he's quite buried in the mix, some really compelling rhythms bloom from the classical miasma
Going into this and looking at some of the track lengths is dread inducing for sure, but pleasantly surprised with this one. Great prog that keeps your interest and doesn't get too wanky.
Absolutely essential prog rock right here. This album exemplifies the concept of music "taking you on a journney." Across just 3 tracks it achieves a hell of a lot with many highs and lows, and always changing things up to keep it interesting. To be honest I actually wish it were longer, being just over half an hour just doesn't quite feel like it does this album justice, I feel like a lot more could have been done with it. But what we do have of this album is still absolutely fantastic, and completely deserving of being hailed as one of the greatest prog rock albums ever made.
"This next one is the first song of our new album. It just came out this week and the song is...18 and a half minutes long." What a flex.
Ah, los que garchan guitarras. Al menos al principio veo eso. Me gusta parcialmente, cuestión de ver dónde lleva. No parece tener mucha estructura (es progresivo?). Sí, es muy progresivo, está lindo, bah lindo es una forma de decir. Es su propia experiencia.
there's so many different things going on (birds, melodies, voices) and i love it. it was really cool. at first i was intimidated by the 18 minute long song but ended up listening to something great! i think it's better to have on in the background than something to actively listen to but great tunes
I’m very hit or miss with prog. This is a hit
Oh look, it’s album #150! That went by fast. Of all the big “milestone” albums so far, Close to the Edge is definitely the one I was most looking forward to checking out – I have a friend who’s a big Yes fan and this was the album he most strongly recommended listening to. I did enjoy this one a degree more than The Yes Album, but still less than Physical Graffiti. As with a lot of prog, these lengthier cuts struggle to keep my attention the entire way through – there are definitely some movements that did more for me than others. The more time goes on, the more I long for a progressive rock album that really blows my socks off. I’d love to get some Pink Floyd or King Crimson soon – Wish You Were Here is at just about the very top of my Generator wish list at the moment! Highlights: Close to the Edge, And You and I, Siberian Khatru
Sounds great on vinyl, what a fantastic album. 8/10
It feels like flossing your brain. So many layers, such technical skill showcased, incredible melodies and counter melodies. Drums are absolutely insane which is why the drummer left after this album was released. Bass has amazing tone and is arguably the most complex bassline I've ever experienced. The synths and instrumental extras are also appreciated and utilized well. This is the epitome of prog rock and actually led to the rise of punk bands wanting simpler, dirtier, and less precise sound. Incredible album and the acoustic guitar halfway through "And You and I" is wonderfully beautiful. I'd rate it at the same caliber as Rush's 2112 album. 9/10
non so se 3 o 4 ma comunque piaciuto molto
I hadn't heard this one before. I've loved "Fragile" for a very long time. This was the follow up. For an album by the band Yes, this is nearly perfect. The largest trade-off is that the friendly singles of "Fragile" don't get any musical attempt paid to that sort of direction on "Close to the Edge". What we get in return, however, is a much better deal. There is no filler of individual solo tracks. Even though the record as a whole is not of any one concept, the suite of just three songs comes through in concision. The ideas that Yes presents and validates here go on to be repeated by bands of many proggy-tending stripes. I'm not very studied on the history of British progressive rock, so I can't say how many of the time-bending stunts that Yes pulls off here were completely original to this record. However, to hear a propulsive rock groove turn around on a count of 15 without losing energy, or heavy whole-band-synchronized staccato dare-you-to-count stabbing, gives me a fantastic excitement to hear it with the possibility that this might be a conception point for ideas later repeated by Tool, the Mars Volta, Dillinger Escape Plan, Meshuggah, and many other bands who paint by numbers. This album was one of the rare few that I wanted to immediately play again, as it ended. So much in 38 minutes had passed through my ears and the music was so raw and fresh sounding that going back to catch the more fleeting moments was not a trial at all, but a necessary and thrilling archaeological dig.
What a ride. This album is all over the place, in the best way. At times frantic and odd, at others, melodic and blissful. 4/5.
Nice
Siberian Khatru, awesome! A great example of progressive rock from the 70s.
I've got another great album today. "Close to the Edge" isn't as good as Megadeth's "Rust in Peace", my previous album. The 3 songs on this album are very long, but they never get dull. My favourite of the three has to be "And You and I". Let's hope I continue my lucky album streak. 4 stars for "Close to the Edge".
Well, I already like this album. However, I do think "And you and I" drags on too long. Close to the Edge and Siberian Khatru are both excellent (I honestly like the latter more, especially the funk guitar and bass). Probably 4.5/5 - I'm giving this a 4 since I don't know how much I would choose to listen to this straight through.
I should've hated this. I don't tend to vibe with Prog Rock. Something about this album clicked, though. A very surprising 4 stars.
Fun, could have been weirder
Good shit, but didn’t get to listen closely enough for a review. Will definitely revisit.
One of my favorite songs ever is Daydream/Wet Dream/Nightmare. So the title and first track of this album, Close to the Edge (I originally detailed all the subtitles, but my notes were erased and I dont have the patience at the moment), got me hooked. I was bought in for the rest of the album. I could have done without the full deluxe version, but would not have given up America in exchange. Songs this album made me listen to: The Edge by Panicland
I had a slight headache every time I listened to this album, and I couldn't tell if focusing on the music was alleviating or making it worse. This is a significantly more interesting project than I was anticipating from a 70's band just called Yes. There are quite a few parts of this album that I enjoy a lot, especially the third section of the title track; I would listen to that particular section a lot more often if it was its own track rather than packed into the middle of one 18-minute long recording. With that being said, that 18-minute journey is very well-structured for such an epic undertaking, flowing together as one compelling buildup to a satisfying payoff that feels earned and justifies the length, even if it's a hurdle to replayability or easier listening. The lyrics feel compelling if a little esoteric and heady; they're clearly getting at something a lot more detailed than I can fully wrap my head around on first go. I really like what's here, but this is one of the first times in music where I feel like I'm not enough drugs to enjoy this to its fullest potential. Highlights: Close To The Edge (I. The Solid Time of Change, III. I Get up I Get Down, IV. Seasons of Man), And You And I
prog is when the song long
Funky and loud
1st song banger
Over the top in places, but surprisingly very enjoyable.
Moments of jubilation. Moments of tedium.
Ambitious, will need to listen to more.
I actually really liked this one! Songs are long as hell but the overall sound is great. Very space-age 80s-esque.
„Close to the Edge” I. „The Solid Time of Change” II. „Total Mass Retain” III. „I Get Up, I Get Down” IV. „Seasons of Man” - przyjemnie, ale slabo, ze nie jest to rodzielone na konkretne piosenki, chociaz daje vibe "chapterow", co jest niecodzienne i ciekawe. Swietne organy w 12 minucie, troche curch vibe. Update - czyli to zamierzony zabieg, bardzo ciekawe, bardzo fajne mmm, no mega niecodzienne fr i musze az poszukac wiecej takich utworow. Siberian Khatru - podobalo mi sie, mysle, ze sama z siebie bym tego nie znalazla. America - niezbyt mi sie spodobala, nie jest zla, ale nie dla mnie.
Muy buen disco, muy psicodélico y con mucho concepto. En general me gustó mucho y me pareció que tiene unos solos y arreglos increíbles, pero, considerando la duración de las canciones, veo difícil volver a ellas con regularidad. Pero sí, discazo.
It has an awesome opening and continues into a decent second track...then BAM way too much pipe organ.
Really enjoyed this. I found it very listenable as far as prog goes. The different sections of the songs were groovy enough to keep my interest even while listening to it sober.
I loved listening to this album tonight. I never would have thought to your it on otherwise. Discovery is great, but it is also fun to be reminded of music that you've neglected. I dig this shit. It was a fun listen, especially after my vape little helper.
another classic album.
85/100.
7/10
After their self-titled "The Yes Album", can they get even better? It turns out, no, they can't. They stay about the same in quality. Which is a cool 4 stars, it turns out. The band here sounds like a slightly less polished, more progressive Rush. The singer is Geddy Lee-ish in timbre, but maybe a little more tolerable for the surprisingly numerous Geddy haters. The opener/title track, despite being almost 19 minutes long, never once gets boring. But this isn't that impressive, because its fast tempo is driving even through the lower-texture sections (e.g. at 8 minutes in). Tons of instruments being used, many of them high-pitched and either woodwindy or synthy, giving a glammy, fantastical, early-Queen-esque feel. Of course, this came out before any of Queen's studio albums, making it all the more impressive. I wouldn't dare to say that any of the song is "catchy" – because it really isn't – but it's goshdarn exciting, particularly in the first half. The entry of the vocals is a jolt of electricity into a section already packed with overlapping melodies and instruments coming in and out willy-nilly. The softer middle section maintains the same tempo but strips everything back to keyboard, vocals, and SFX. It's intensely adventurous, very much along the lines of Rush or the Who or especially King Crimson. I'm willing to bet Mike Oldfield took inspiration from this for Tubular Bells as well. The cut-in from the triumphant, final organs into the wacky swing melody that defines the final 5 minutes is quite bizarre, but also oddly fitting. Yes embraces their weirdness, that's for sure. And You and I starts off side 2 with something much more stripped back and less experimental. Very folky-sounding, actually, and uses essentially the same riff as the (later) song Summer and Lightning (ELO). The entire 10 minutes is very reminiscent of ELO at their peak, and I would daresay that ELO took heavy inspiration from Yes. (It's so cool how the world of music interacts.) Siberian Khatru is solid, particularly its bass part. The guitar riffs are unusually bluesy, reminding me of late-70s Eagles or maybe Led Zep. No clue what's going on in the song America, but it sounds pretty cool, if a little self-insistent. But then I guess all of prog does that. Ah, well. The guitars sound cool. Sue me. Total Mass Retain is a vocals-heavy closer that seals the deal nicely. Nothing amazing, but a solid performance. 8/10, might listen to again. 4/5 Key tracks: Close to the Edge
Unique, playful, I enjoyed it.
Solid no bullshit prog rock.
The first side of this record is a masterpiece. It exists at the crossroads of technical virtuosity and masterful imagery, perfectly understanding its own grandiosity without ever feeling pretentious. The rest of the album stands in the title track's shadow; they're good songs, but I resonate with them much less, which holds this album back for me. Standout Tracks: Close To The Edge.
Great sound and groove. Love the epic songs too.
Yes is a good band. I’m not a huge prog fan, but I enjoyed this record quite a bit. It felt like a real journey rather than an excuse to randomly change things up every minute or two in the name of prog. Even their 80’s pop hits have been nicely cooked (umm…Owner Of A Lonely Heart). For a pointless yet apt comparison, I enjoy their peers Genesis FAR more as an 80’s pop band than I do for their 70’s prog (AND Peter Gabriel and Phil Collins’ 80’s solo for that matter). All outstanding songwriters when they are focused and concise.
This had me Close to the Edge
great long and instrumental progressive rock. 4/5
Really enjoyed this excuse to listen to Yes.
All right, prog rock of epic proportions. This type of progressive music hasn't really appealed to me ever, parts of it is very much to my liking, but all the meandering side quests to get to the next bit are a bit too much. Again, I notice my focus is on the "song", not how it's performed nor the merits of the technicalities. I didn't have the feeling of I hope this ends soon, but didn't particularly enjoy it either. Hi-Res source did make it sound wonderful with my gear tho (noticeable difference to the "CD-quality" version). I was surprised how much some things on this record sounded like Sting's endeavours, I especially noticed it in the first track, but more in some later bits too. Probably vocal mannerisms and accompanying bass lines were to blame, but I'm not interested enough to make sure what it was. I'd say 3.5/5 for me, but with the wonderful listening experience, I'll bump it to 4/5.
I absolutely love what they do with their guitars in the slower, more intimate sections such as the start of And You and I A little less when it is more grand and energetic, but still really enjoyed this
Good stuff
sygt nok (positivt)
Superfedt, aldrig hørt det før! Kæmpestort prog, ret nørdet, men også en meget mindre "svær" plade end jeg havde regnet med med de sanglængder. Hvorfor i alverden hørte jeg ikke det her som 14-årig, jeg ville have været obsessed
Really nice. Lots of Hammond organ in the first half and just great songs!
Very interesting experience. There are a few songs I'd heard before, but most of them were new. I really enjoyed listening to this, and a few of the songs have been added to my rotation.
Sounded really different from the other 2 Yes albums I've listened to. I still liked it but it didn't blow me away like Fragile did
I wrote a bunch about this but I realized all the tracks after Siberian Khatru weren't on the original album, so maybe I should only be judging the original runtime. That being said, the title track really comes into its own in the last third with the big church organ (I Get Up I Get Down?) and then the last section (Seasons of Man?) has an aggressive instrumental break I really dug. It's a lot to process. And You And I is different, dreamlike and majestic. The keyboards have a fantastic analog sound. And the third track has some really good riffs and sounds. For whatever reason, this is hard to wrap my head around. I'm deducting a star because it's almost too dense, but it's close to top marks.
Prog rock masterpiece.
красивая музыка
This is some peak prog nonsense and it's great. You get lost in it, it's way over the top and overly complex, and everyone should hear it if they enjoy it or not.
This is a headphones are a must. Some of the soundscapes are crazy. The depth of audio on albums like this after a bunch of over compressed stuff reminds me that my ears are working. I'm not sure if this would be an album I'd recommend, but I might. I would like to absorb it more. The way the vocals play with syllables fascinates me. Yes is one of the bands I'd like to go back and explore more some day, If I'm not sick of music after this.
Groovy, progressive, and (just a bit) over the top. This list has introduced me to two Yes albums and both have been really pleasant surprises. Wild and creative instrumentals and really nice production. The songs are long and winding but the pacing is good and the album as whole doesn't drag out as much as other similar prog-rock albums of the day.
This felt like a prog fan's pilgrimage. Wonderful odyssey
Prog Rock has so much charm and minimal upsets. High highs and few mids sounds pretty good to me
yep yep yep!
I liked it. Feels like the album was passionately made.
Prog-tastic!
Yes are certainly a talented ensemble and this a very ambitious album. And for the most part it's rather enjoyable. They can get a little long winded though. But the musicianship is top notch and a a bass player myself, Chris Squire is an inspiration. 4/5 #207
I always thought Yes kind of sucked but this is a cool prog album. Not bloated with sounds and layers and well arranged.
4.0 RYM
Good
Another classic prog rock album along with In the Court of the Crimson King that I love but don't quite think is a masterpiece. I can’t really explain why. Outside of the opening track, this album is not that memorable and lacks some extra punch for me. A lot of the talk around this album is mostly concerning the title track, which makes sense because it is exceptional. And I think that’s largely the problem. The two other tracks are still very good, but they pale in comparison to the absolute magnum opus that is the title track. Every time I listen to this album (and I’ve listened to it a lot), when I reach the end of the first track, it feels like I’m done, and the other songs are an unnecessary weight that’s only there to reach a time goal. Don’t get me wrong, I still like them, but they just can’t match the title track in sheer scale and ambition. A lot of albums have standout tracks, but they rarely have ones that stand out this much. I feel like in any other album, I would find these two tracks to be fantastic, but not in the one that opens with arguably one of the best songs in the history of rock (that is also almost 19 minutes long).
7.6
3.6 2x nice prog rock
Yes the ultimate 4 star band with moments of 5 star energy
Yes. oh yes. This bangs. Space traveling falsetto screeching psych rock opera revealing the mysteries of the universe. I'm all about it.
I oscillated a lot between "this sounds really cool" and "i don't like this" but ultimately i can tell a lot of music i like was influenced by music that was influenced by this band and i think if i heard them in college, i probably would've listened to them a lot
This album has everything that I love about Prog, and none of the things I hate about Prog.
I like Yes, but I'm surprised to find this particular album on the list. “Close to the Edge” is undoubtedly a fine testament to the musicality, technique, and enthusiasm of this band (e.g., “Siberian Khatru”), but for me it's not the ultimate reference. A very good album, but not in the highest category.
It was really cool. 4.5 ⭐
My brother fairly pointed out that it would be much easier to be in the mood for some of this if they just split the songs into separate tracks. I know that might upset some purists but when you consider that a lot of them are just cobbled together from bits the members had individually written anyway it's really not too much of a reach from the final product. With that being said, I'm bang into prog and this is towards the better end of it so 4*
Not all that familiar with Yes's work. What I do know is that it's a bit hit and miss. Didn't know this album but it is mostly hit so that's good.
Pretty good. Really only a couple tracks but each one is like several songs. I had already heard “and you and I” which I already liked.
I liked it.
Yeah this rules
I’m confused. I spent the last 20 years thinking I hate prog. Now I apparently like Rush and Yes? The first 4 minutes is like a terrible fever dream but enjoyed everything after that
Tää on must iha ehtaa kamaa! Joskus tuntuu että progen kanssa se on tosi itseriittoista ja menee megaöveriksi, mutta tässä mun mielestä on sellainen sopiva balanssi. Antaa mennä vaan! 4/5
Hyvä proge-levy! Vaikka Yes tuntuu vähän suoraviivaisemmalta kuin moni muu genren edustaja, niin kyllä se silti hyvin toimii. 4/5
This project has encouraged me to be more patient with music than I ever was and it has allowed me to truly appreciate Prog. A genre I once scoffed at, I won’t claim to have a full understanding of Prog yet. I’m not sure anyone truly understands what’s really going on with Prog. I gave this one a few plays through to sink my teeth into all that’s happening. They dip and dive with some great shifts in energy and pace. The 18+ minute opener does reward those who stick with it. The second track has a really cool string arrangement to open the track, such dramatic pauses and inquisitive tones, I think I was drawn to the play style because I’ve been really into a present day artist, Hayden Pedigo, who seems to demonstrate the same odd pace with his playing. Again, it’s an album that has a lot going on but the goings on are good. 4 stars
I don't know this record at all. It was pretty good, though I think I would need to listen again with more focus to really appreciate it. 3.5/5
I like this album quite a bit. I've listened to it a few times. 3.5/5
I like progressive rock, and I like Yes, not a whole load, but their first eight or so albums got a lot of listening when I was younger. I know this is seen by many as a classic, but I've never really liked it that much. It's not bad, and I'll give it a four, but it just never seems to go anywhere; too much noodling and not enough happening. The melodies that repeat start annoying me just a little, as they repeat just a bit too often. In theory, this should tick every box for me, especially with Bruford drumming, but it just falls a little flat. I might pick out Jon Anderson's voice as being annoying, but that doesn't seem fair, as I don't mind it on other albums, and I love Rush.
I have mixed feelings about this album. I am not a huge fan of prog rock, but this somehow was quite enjoyable. I still dont like the instrumental excessive part, but the songs are great when they are actually playing the song (with the lyrics). I know it is part of the genre, but yeah this is better than Pink Floyd (or ehat I know of them)
These songs are hella long but kinda good
Epic, good on its own as well and not just a background; quite enveloping, imagine good music to get high to lol
I liked this one, good proggy stuff Will I listen to again: 67%
Prog!
Great prog record.
lmao i started fucking cracking up when that evil-ass organ instrumental section played, ran that shit back so many times hahah the balls
Ah, the infamous Yes album. I now understand why so many people dread this album, but at the same time I don't. The title song is lacking, but the other two songs rescue Close to the Edge. "Siberian Khatru" could be considered forgettable as the last song on the album, but what makes it stand out is the South Asian inspiration mid-song. The title song must be heavily inspired by Peter Gabriel's Genesis and straddles the experimental/electronic divide. Without a doubt it's an interesting song, but an 18-minute song gets muddles along the way. I wasn't mad at the hymnal-like tone toward the end of the song--just confused. The real gem of the album is "And You and I." This song has everything (said like Stefan): soaring instrumentals, light electronic, capturing lyrics, a jam session with a clear ending. Because of this song I'd like to give this album a 5, but the album is weighed down, even if the best song is a quarter of the album.
Full-on prog is like Marmite. I love Marmite
Fico per cene
The was a fricken ride. No idea where it took me, but it was cool
I've always liked Yes, even though Jon Anderson's voice grates on me sometimes. The musicians on this album are fantastic! Drummer Bill Bruford, guitarist Steve Howe, and keyboardist Rick Wakeman are all masters of their craft. But Chris Squire is an absolute legend! He's one of the greatest bassists in all of rock history. Not just his solid backbone, awesome fills and "lead bass" moments... but the tones he wrung out of the instrument are sterling. I really only love half of this album though. Something about the lead 18 minute track sets me off and I almost never finished it. There are great bits, but overall, I don't know. But "And You and I" and "Siberian Khatru" are great. This is a truly representative prog album! Amazing musicianship with long meander-y songs that sometimes get a little lost in translation, I guess. Wish I could have seen this lineup live!
This was a solid prog rock album! I definitely liked ‘And You and I’ into ‘Siberian Khatru’ more than the first song of the album. That’s where things started picking up steam and getting interesting for me instrumentally. Overall, I give this album a thumbs up and I would give it a listen again in the future because of how short it is. Even though it’s a short album it still packs a punch!
Psychedelic rock meets jazzy funky fusions. Makes ya feel a bit entranced by all the audio. A nice good beach vibes coast this album into a 4/5 for me. Slightly chaotic but nice nonetheless. Not my type of genre to listen to but I appreciate the ride.
Some very long songs with beautiful beginnings and end but 17 minutes might be a bit of a stretch. I preferred the shorter songs for easier listening. Album flowed well and I like the nature themes, perfect for a walk in the woods
Not too bad
Very entertaining vocals sound great
this album is a difficult but rewarding listen. "Siberian Khatru" struck a nerve!
A clear step above the Yes Album. I can see why people really go in for prog based off this. I would need to listen to it more but I had a good time. Very uncool but that doesn't matter.
Yes, has been a bit of a mixed bag for me. I thought perhaps three albums in this book were too much, as Yes (self-titled) wasn't as strong of an album as Fragile was. Close to the Edge only has three songs on it, but this is much closer to Fragile than the self-titled album. I am not sure why but I do not find Yes's version of prog-rock to be terribly pretentious like some (Rush) tend to come off for me. The drummer apparently left for King Crimson after this album, which checks out as it pertains to the "prog-rock band to prog-rock band" pipeline that I assumed existed. All three songs here are strong and at no point do they drag. I Get Up I Get Down has a very funeral-sounding organ on it and it creates a different mood than I am used to hearing on prog-rock. Recommend this one, though I think I like Fragile more.
Fantastic
big vibes, liked the rock style, never heard of this band before but will like explore more.
Man this album absolutely flew by. I feel like there was nothing about it I disliked. The guitar work was unique and catchy. This album was Right up my alley
I'm genuinely excited to dive into Close to the Edge by Yes. This album holds a unique and influential place in music history — it's not only a cornerstone of progressive rock but also one of the genre’s finest achievements. As pioneers of prog, Yes crafted something truly special here. The album consists of just three expansive, beautifully composed tracks, each filled with intricate movements and shifting dynamics. Despite their length, the songs never drag. Instead, they feel like musical journeys — adventurous, immersive, and emotionally rich. The variety and complexity are stunning, yet everything flows naturally. I absolutely loved it. In summary, Close to the Edge is a brilliant experience. I’m honestly surprised by how much I enjoyed it. Listening to it feels like embarking on a sonic adventure — unpredictable, vivid, and full of atmosphere. The soundscapes are lush, the ambience is striking, and the musicianship is off the charts. Favourite Song: With only three tracks, it’s hard to choose — especially since each one evolves so much throughout. But if I had to pick, the title track Close to the Edge stands out as a true masterpiece. Least Favourite: Honestly, everything on this album is fantastic. There are no weak points. Album Artwork: I love the minimalist cover. It's simple, elegant, and fits the music perfectly.
Interesting album. I can see/hear how they were an influence on Rush.
8/10
\m/ YES!! \m/ Gotta love some Yes, Super Important band for Prog Rock.
Though not my favorite album by the group it certainly solidifies them as a head of the curve for what would become bigger and heavier prog rock. Talented musicians making interesting and compelling music.
An interesting prog rock album from 70s England. Some great moments, but overall not my favourite from the era. Great album cover though, and always nice to hear some progressive rock! High 3* rounded up. 3 seems a bit too low.
Enjoyed it. Never heard before. Great vocal harmonies. Nice harpsichord appearance too
You'd think an album that leads with an 18 minute song would definitely feel like a slog, but not even a little bit. And it still sounds fresh somehow. Well recorded. Listen to Close to the Edge and imagine where Mars Volta would be without them.
Good one, some great parts, but a liittle too proggy for me. Weak 4 i think
I'm really surprised how much I like this album. I'm not a prog fan but this has the right amount of noodling excess.
A little pretentious, but lovely to listen to. It gets old a bit quick, but this is a good album. 4/5
esse é brabo demais tá doido
achei mais coeso que o anterior viu não tem roundabout, mas achei bem mais dançante e divertido de ouvir. até que prog eh legal hein
4 out of 5. A Yes album is always an experience when listened to in its entirety.
Me pareció excelente, a pesar de ser rock. Suena muy auténtico y fresco para su época. Debería volver a escucharlo. Nota: 3.7
Prog Rock and really any genre with 10min+ songs can be really hit or miss for me. I got a be in the right mood/headspace for the musical journey to grab me or else it's background music at best and a tiring/annoying experience at worst. Yesterday I listened to this while doing some work around the house and I generally enjoyed it and even liked some sections. Today I relistened and was hooked. Really felt the flow of energy through each song. Loved the vocals, the organ in the second song, the grooves, the sense of scale and journey, the whole package (save for a couple of the more sonically dissonant moments that always find their way into these kinds of albums). Really liked it, will prob listen again when I'm in the mood for this kind of thing.
Very cool album 8/10
Just some damn fine prog rock overall. 4.5 bumped down to 4.
interesting
Really really interesting. The three songs are excellent Its experimental in all the right ways Feels like a 4
Favorites: Close to the Edge, And You and I Monumental. Right off the back of making their best album, Yes hit it out of the park with their most influential and one of the most epic prog albums out there. Some things don’t click for me as much as they do in Fragile, but this one is still excellent.
Yes is always a treat to listen to!
Sorry Rush, but Close to the Edge might be the best progressive rock epic I've ever heard.
Definitely corny by today's standards but I'll always love Close to the Edge.
Well, I like Prog Rock, and I like Yes. And that's that.
Prog rock at its best 8/10
Close to the Edge 3.7 And You and I 3.4 Siberian Khatru 3.5 Score: 3.533333333
Classic Yes... really long songs! Great bass, drums and guitar! Singer gets a bit old, but it's still good. 3.5 I will round up.
This was pretty good! Creative music
Siberian Khatru is fucking goooooood. The main riff reminds me of Chrono Trigger.
PROG! I enjoyed it, it didn’t overstay its welcome or get to in the weeds which can be the case sometimes.
Gear: Abyss DIANA MR Artwork: 💀⬛❇️ Production: 🎧😘🤌 Music: 🌊🔁🕰️ Rating: 🕊️🕊️🕊️(🕊️)/5
Really good stuff. 4 stars
I've owned this for a long time and is a classic.
This was a super interesting album, just 3 (loooong) songs, and really seemed like one where the band was given free reign over everything. As a result you end up with a great easy listening rock experiment. Good album to have, not one I will revisit, but I enjoyed the time I had with it. 4/5
The pitfall of prog is, to put so many ideas in a song that it becomes incoherent. This is not the worst album in that regard, but they haven't managed to avoid it entirely. A lot of prog albums sound constructed rather than composed. This still sounds kind of playful. I don't like the singer's voice. Fortunately he doesn't sing much. Favorite song: the solid time of change
I now understand where Primus came from. And just like that after three minutes it totally changes direction and opens up the chords and melody. Didn’t expect it to go here. I like the journey this takes you through. This might be the album where I understand Yes. I was not thrilled about 10 minute tracks, but this is really good so far. Does Yes have a huge following? If so how did music not progress more? I can see a line from this to TSO and don’t understand why it took so long?
Not sure this would ever be any kind of go-to record for me, but if a friend wanted to listen to it on a roadie, that would suit me just fine. https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-close-to-the-edge-by?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
7/10
Grew on me as I listened. The lead track was a journey. Very cool album.
Uff, ganz schön lange Titel. Und kompliziert. Macht Spaß. Progressive Rock.
Siberian khatru goat, close to the edge is an iconic prog song, and you and I brings the noise down with its softer tone, America is a good catchy “short” song( short for the album). Overall a solid 8/10
I mistakingly cued up Fragile and immersed myself into the super deluxe version. While enjoying that fantastic ride I came over here to write a glowing review only to be reminded that I listened to the wrong album. I didn't think Fragile could be improved, but I almost prefer Close to Edge. This album has the building blocks to prog and it's easy to get lost in. 4/5
4/5
I'm not usually one for prog rock but this was charming and had interesting melodies. Definitely one to sink ones teeth into.
Gaaf, maar wat minder gefocust dan het andere album. Hierdoor komen de nummers wat minder tot hun recht.
Lovely album. Rare that I immediately like an album on the very first song. Will be checking out their other stuff.
Very finely crafted if a little too technically complex in parts for me
Yes is the type of band I never think of listening to but I enjoy when I have the opportunity. Some parts groove more than they have a right to, you’ve got a little quasi classical section, a psych inspired section.
A solid album
I'm not generally a fan of prog rock. I didn't know a lot of Yes' work, but from what I did know, I was expecting to go be this about ⭐⭐. I enjoyed it a lot more than I expected to.
4.5 stars
A little long-winded at times but killer tracks. 3.5/5
Never was a Yes fan but I do realize their talent as musicians. This album has good production values and sound.
Wow, what an opening. It's nice to follow up The Killers with an actual band. I love 70's progressive rock, and this album has it all. It's a sonic journey. Not the best prog album, but definitely worth a 4.
Damn....Yes just always sounds like a few music theory nerds got together to form a band. I usually listen with eagerness for whatever is coming next. This stuff just sounds ahead of its time. Total Mass Retain is siiiiiiiick! I think I have listened to it about 7 or 8 times now. It's one of the coolest songs I've heard in a really long time. The cover of America is really interesting too. I really dig the album but my drawback with some Yes songs is the length of some of them. I feel like they can get the point across sometimes in 4 to 6 minutes. 10 minute plus songs a lot of times just seems like overkill.
This album pulses with excitement and is engaging from start to finish -highly recommend! Great musicality, unique, and fun.
It was a great listen, it felt like one continuous journey, so it's hard to say that I had a favorite song. An enjoyable ride throughout.
As proggy as original gets which many probably hate but I don't mind. This kind of thing directly led to my favorite bands and how they play so I'm down with it. Single side tracks are awesome
Needs another listen but I loved this album. Yes is one of the best discoveries of this project. Probably an 8.5/10
I'm not much of a prog guy, but this is some really good prog. High 4.
Good, more polished than 'The Yes Album', but no standouts
The energy and climaxes these guys bring to their projects is exhilarating
Yes is always cool! But still not completely my jam.
great cover of America and a prog rock jam
I’m me of the best live albums ever!
I am not a prog person, but I’ve been listening to Yes discography thanks to this book and must accept that they are really enjoyable! This is a great album.
Very good different to my usal albums but some songs are long but accessible
Great album.
“And You and I.” Amazing.
Again, a record that has completely tripped me up and required me to sit with it for a while. Then again, I think an insanely dense prog rock epic is an acceptable album to get tripped up on. I used to be very, very into prog rock when I was ~13 years old– and Fragile became one of my favorite albums ever as a result of that time– but I quickly moved on to math rock and progressive metal. I loved that style of music for almost a decade. But in my post-grad early 20s, I found myself listening to it less and less, and now, in my 30s, I almost never listen to any technical metal, because how the fuck can I concentrate at my office job while trying to pay attention to 13/7 polyrhythms. And that was the subgenre of progressive music I latched onto; I have even less of a desire to revisit the 70s prog classics that I spent only a brief moment enjoying. I say all this to say that I’ve basically spent the last two weeks listening to Close to the Edge once a day, slowly letting it seep into my mind, once again trying to connect my neural pathways to make sense of this style of music. Even though I do have an affinity for Fragile, I completely missed Close to the Edge (and any other Yes album) in my youth. That’s probably for the better, though, because even to a girl who used to casually listen to Dillinger Escape Plan and Don Caballero and Hella, this record is dense as all fuck. The first couple listens, it doesn’t make a lot of sense. I think that’s mainly because it starts with its most complex elements first. Not only is an 18-minute Side A single track opener a prog-forward ask, but the song doesn’t have any semblance of normalcy until maybe a third of the way through. But that’s the thing. The hooks are there, they’re just buried and extremely deconstructed. The more I listened, the more they stood out, and now two weeks later, I find myself humming those nearly atonal breakdown sections as if they were pop songs. Side B, on the other hand, is much more approachable. That’s a relative statement, of course, given the closing solo on “Siberian Khatru” and the classical composition structure of “And You and I,” but there’s respectively a blues and psych-folk basis to both tracks that make contextual sense. And again, Yes were incredibly good at writing hooks. Those hooks are strange and not necessarily what pop-song ears are used to hearing, but once I tuned my ears to Yes’ vision, I found myself sincerely enjoying this. While the intense, progressive musicality and classical elements may initially read as pretentious, there’s both an earnestness and a mastery to it all that makes it both impressive to hear and digestible, as long as you’re able to meet the band on their terms. All this said, Close to the Edge is one of those weird records where, even though I had to sit with it for a while, my opinion never really changed all that much. While the first 3ish listens were abrasive and difficult, demanding my active attention, I still enjoyed it. Even if I found it strange as fuck, I was still immediately impressed by the skill at hand. The brief moments of pop hook levity were obvious enough even on those initial listens, so I always had something to latch onto. I never found this pretentious or up its own ass, unlike, say Can’s Tago Mago or Genesis’ The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway. I did need time to digest it, but I still liked it right away. As I took the time to let it sit with me, while it did rise in my ranking, and I did grow to like it more, it still never crossed that final threshold from really liking to absolutely loving. In a different rating system, Close to the Edge is the definition of an 8.5/10. I’d own it, I’d listen to it, I’d play it here and there, and I’d really enjoy it, but it’s not a favorite by any means, and I don’t think I’ll ever love it so much that I’ll obsess over it for a month randomly 6 years from now. Maybe that’s because I know already that I prefer Fragile. Maybe it’s because I value accessibility over mastery. None of this takes away from the fact that Close to the Edge is the definition of mastery, though, and it makes that mastery as enjoyable and as accessible as humanly possible. The best comparison I have is to a Russian tome like The Brothers Karamazov or War and Peace; anyone who has read those books will tell you that they are surprisingly fun, and the drama is nearly soap opera tier, but there’s still a density and complexity to them that requires you to turn your thinking cap on. That’s not a bad thing, and it’s why those books are objectively great. But you’re not going to spend your summer vacation on the Amalfi coast reading Dostoyevsky’s cold nihilism, are you? In the same vein, Close to the Edge is amazing and surprisingly fun at many points, but I’m not going to throw this on while I’m on the elliptical or at a house party, and that’s what holds it back from being a record I love all out.
close to a ten
pretentious but in a kinda-right-about-it kind of way
A classic progressive rock album that draws on jazz, classical and jams. Just short of a 5 for me.
This album was very impressive, but not gripping. Clearly an ambitious group, Yes gave us a suite of songs in only 3 tracks, turning each into somewhat of an epic. Clearly this album was designed to be listened to all together, front to back which I can respect. Also, the muscianship was clearly great. The guitar solos ripped and the music began to veer into jazz fusion territory which requires great playing (Siberian Khatru's opening riff was fire). The vocal harmonies show how intricately this album was crafted. However, while I did not read all of the lyrics on paper I did not find a story or anything tying this all together as a rock opera. Also, the melodies were not string enough for me to remember them more than a few minutes after listening.
One hears why they ditched the block-chord specialist keyboardist. However, one wonders how the differences in drugs-taking habits have shifted perceptions relative to some of the extended solos. Are – or how much are – the powerful crescendos on the opener a function of waiting (and wading) thru so much extraneous-seeming noodling? And that’s the question with prog-rock, isn’t it, what’s extraneous and what’s essential? I’m not music theorist enough to know but can make some guesses based on informed and emotionally attuned listening. Such glorious excess. One’s exhausted after a track or two, but man are they rich and layered. But the worst parts are also the best parts. Not that one'll be going on the prog rock cruises. On these records, who knows what one's supposed to actually listen to, given the deluxe and expanded editions, etc. Has a bank of guitars ever sounded better or more post-60s modern than on “Total Mass Retain"? The organ on "I Get Up, I Get Down," goes a bit too Vincent Price-y. One's not sure what was on the original album vs. the Deluxe and Anniversary editions, but the wildly off-kilter interpretation of S&G’s “America” (only on Deluxe edition or modern remaster) is not to be missed; the tone of the playing and mood of the lyrics diverge extremely, like to continental proportions (see the keyboard fandango on the line “boarded a Greyhound to Pittsburgh,” which has never sounded so glorious or elevated [that is to say decidely un-Pittsburgh-ish]).
I like the range of instrumental types and the instruments used, singing is not annoying which is quite uncommon for songs of this genre/time period. not really any major downsides, except the weird balancing at some points, like the organ in the first or second song. Favorite songs: Siberian Khatru, And You and I. overall around 8/10
Brilliant and most enjoyable. I had this album on 33.5 in 1980.
Not as self-indulgent and excessive as some of the other prog records on the list. I liked the first and last song a lot more the middle song.
I can't yet get to the full 4 stars on it because I found elements of the second and third songs to be a bit middling. However, it's undeniably VERY strong, and I think I can definitely raise this rating one day. 3.5/5
I feel like from an objective standpoint, I should have enjoyed this, but it just...didn't do all that much for me. A second listen did help a little. I think I can definitely say I appreciate this.
I'm now a fan of yes.
Very good prog album. Not nearly my favorite in the sphere, but YES tends to stay in good graces with music enjoyers because it isn't entirely too superficial or superfluous. Its the common-man's prog. And i love that for them. Lovely mixed meters and tempos as well as unique instrumentations and relative key changes to make everything sound really nice, layered, textured and f u t u r i s t i c. I'm always surprised when I jump in on a YES album, my allegiance lies with Rush, King Crimson, and newer 21st century prog metal. But, YES was one of the OG's.
I love when an album sounds cinematic. It makes the story their trying to tell come to life!
At first I was turned off & almost ended it, but I gave it a chance and I'm glad I did. Great find! So much different than what I thought they were capable of... all I really knew from them was "owner of a lonely heart" (which I also like) .
Another album that I should burn rather than be beaming about. I smiled all the way through this.
'Close to the Edge' is the second album I've heard by Yes. I'd previously had 'Fragile' in this challenge, but it was over a year ago and I honestly don't remember much of it. I listened to both albums today, out of curiosity. I think I was a bit harsh on 'Fragile' as just another prog rock album and more of it interested me today. Having said that, of the two I prefer 'Closer to the Edge'. The songs are bigger, longer, and more complex. I appreciate that that won't appeal to a lot of people, but if you're going to do a prog rock album, you want to do it right. It's all over the place (in the best way possible) and demonstrates more openness and lightness than other similar bands. It has more moments to let the music simply breath, which is refreshing. The fact that side A is partly inspired by one of my favorite novels, 'Siddhartha' is a nice bonus. Returning to 'Fragile' after this did make me appreciate it more though. It's certainly more accessible and has more highlights than I'd previously given it credit for.
Great album but not my favourite Yes album
kende ik niet zo goed, maar zeker eerste nummer is keigoed...
This is a very good prog rock album. It is one of the best Yes albums, and their peak, In my opinion. Other albums may have more accessible songs, but this album was sort of the culmination of their work to that point. The title track is a masterpiece.
Siberian Khatru slapped
Pretty batshit. Goes so many different places and is excessive while also being very nerdy. I actually really enjoyed it, even though it is so ridiculous. A good time and worth relistening! 4/4.5
Pretty cool. Didn’t capture my attention really, but everything is well executed.
Can hear that it's musically involved and diverse, the guitar and piano background makes for what I associate is the classic prog rock sound. I perhaps need to listen more times, to me the instruments aren't clicking together as perfectly as I would expect a famous album like this to. 3.5
Prog from the 70's is really hit and miss with me. When this album started I was afraid it would turn into an Emerson Lake and Palmer ordeal. Luckily the music ended up more like early Genesis and the album turned into something very enjoyable.
Super unique and inventive songwriting. Every song is such a wild journey. Such an interesting listen and breath of fresh air from the usual stuff on this list
This was cool. Especially the first one
The progchamp of our generation
Very nice progrock, Enjoyed listening to this in the morning during work. Would check out more.
Pretty cool. I got Plok vibes at some point and I liked the synth.
This one really grew on me. I started out with unpleasant memories of suffering through Rush and was thinking “oh great…it’s another self-indulgent prog rock circle jerk.” But I have to say Yes won me over with this album and may have just restored my faith in prog rock in the process. As the album started, I was starting to wonder if maybe I just don’t like prog rock. And I’ll admit, there’s still an element of self-importance that I find a bit off-putting. But each time I wanted to write it off, there was some groove or tonal shift or vocal run that kept me engaged. Finally, I decided to just lean in and ignore the part of me that wanted to dislike this, and when I did, I found myself starting to bob my head, then tap my foot, and before I knew it, I was full on air drumming. And as the album progressed (and certainly upon repeated listens), there was a very pure enjoyment to be found. I wouldn’t count this among my favorite records, but I’d gladly admit I’m a fan. Close to the Edge plays almost like a symphony and I find that quite interesting. And I think the band really nails the more intimate movements like “I Get Up I Get Down” and especially “And You and I” (which reminds me a lot of LZ’s “That’s the Way”). Overall, I’d definitely revisit this one, and I look forward to other Yes installments. 4/5 Highlights: I Get Up I Get Down And You and I
Progressive paradise. 4.3 stars
Super enjoyable, love the vocals
I wish they broke it up in shorter songs but either way I really liked it
Really, really good. Could be a five. Almost
Fantastic!
Amazing album. Their musicianship is impeccable. Yes was a huge band, but they deserve an everlasting spot in the hearts of music fans.
Favourite tracks: close to the edge