Reviews (page 7 of 9)
So good. I've been meaning to listen to more Yes!
I used to love Yes for a time. This one was never my favorite but I do like the first song a lot. The other 2 are pretty good but don't compare.
Well, I guess brilliant if you like progressive rock, but I don't. Okay, the musicians including singer are of course exquisite, legendary line-up, that makes it 2 stars and not 1.
I'm recovering from a wisdom tooth extraction so good time to catch up on my massive review backlog. If my reviews seem a little more loopy and incoherent than usual, it's just the drugs This has been my favorite Yes album we've had. I haven't really understood why there are (at minimum) three yes albums on this list, even as a recent convert to the proggiest of the prog. Through doing 1001, I realized that I actually love this shit. Yes has always felt super impressive to me but a little unfocused. A lot of "throw paint at the wall." But as a musician, you can't help but marvel at the lengths they'll go to challenge and surprise you. This album felt more raw, more live in the room, more really expressive and experimental. I love that. I did NOT love the Simon and Garfunkel - America cover. In fact, that cover was so bad, so excessive and pretentious and frankly *unnecessary*- that it cast a heavy pall over the ENTIRE rest of the album. I started to forget what was great about the rest of the album. Was I really into this album, or was it just surprising to my ear? What actually... happened on this album? Never mind, totally just the drugs. Ignore this review. A conflicted 3/5
Close to the Edge is the greatest progressive rock album ever made. A perfect 5 star record, not a wasted note to be found. Perfection. ::chef’s kiss::
No thanks.
I’m up then I’m down. That was my initial thoughts on this record. It’s impossible to overstate the immense complexity and achievement of human performance and composition of this record. While I think fragile will always be my favorite, this definitely seems like their greatest work as an overall album experience
The zithery thing is very Yes. Can’t dance to it. Maybe this would be good music for fertilizing the garden out in the rain?
A bit to proggy for me. I thought every song sounded like Roundabout and none were
Dugacke pesme, lagani prog rok.
There were parts of this I liked. There were others I strongly disliked. Going to round up from 2.5.
I liked the organ, but that's about it. It's a no for this Yes album.
This was just not working for me. Got on my nerves after awhile. Nothing worse than being sick of a particular song only to realize that you're 13 minutes into it and still have about 5 minutes left.
hey besties just because u were obsessively weird abt it doesn’t make it good
Yes! No! Maybe? I don't know.. Bei 18:42 min für den Eröffnungssong "Close to the Edge" war ich auch nah an der Kante: und zwar um das Album zu skippen, ABER: Siehe da, es geht auch anders! Natürlich muss ich mir nicht jeden Song über 18 min geben und es macht aus meiner Sicht mehr Sinn, 2 Songs draus zu machen, wenn wir mitten im Song einen so gravierenden Wechsel haben. Der Titelsong war letztlich aber ein netter Einstieg, mein Lieblingssong würde es allerdings auch bis Minute 9 nicht werden.. Die nächsten Tracks auf dem Album, "And You and I" und "Siberian Khatru", sind ebenfalls starke Beiträge. "And You and I" ist eine lyrische und introspektive Reise, die durch herausragende Harmonien und akustische Elemente besticht. "Siberian Khatru" hingegen zeigt "Yes" von ihrer energiegeladenen Seite, mit kraftvollen Rhythmen und dynamischen Wechseln. Die Jungs haben es drauf, wissen durch virtuose Keyboard-Spielereien (Rick Wakeman) & komplexe Gitarrenriffs (Steve Howe) zu überzeugen. Aprospros komplex: Wie schön handwerklich Musik doch früher von jeweiligen Genre-Experten "erarbeitet" wurde. Obwohl es Längen gibt, haben Sie mich nicht genervt, hier und da haben sie mich sogar positiv überrascht. Trotz einer komplexen Klanglandschaft haben sie mich nie verloren. ABER: Eine Gewisse Hingabe und Geduld wird hier vorausgesetzt und ich kann es verstehen, wenn das Hören als Herausforderung empfunden wird. Es gibt Tage, da hätte ich es nicht durchgehört, heute bin ich froh, dass ich es getan habe. Mehr als 3 Sterne kann ich aber auch heute nicht geben. An anderen Tagen tendiere ich wahrscheinlich zu weniger. LG
- Ich liebe diese 1001 Alben Geschichte einfach... Wiedermal der Fall: Man findet eine Band geil, in diesem Fall Yes, kennt aber nur einen kleinen Bruchteil des Werks, hier "Fragile" und "90125", die ich beide für großartige Alben halte. Durch 1001 Alben setzt man sich einfach auch mal mit Sachen auseinander, über die man sonst gar nicht nachgedacht hätte. Danke dafür! - Ich bleibe dabei, dass 18 minütige Songs wirklich keine Notwendigkeit haben. Yes hat das bei "Close to the Edge" ja selber bestätigt -> Der Song ist in 4 Teile aufgeteilt, die alle sogar eigene Titel tragen. Es stellt sich also die Frage: Warum nicht einfach 4 verschiedene Songs?! Aber ich versteh schon, sie sind halt Prog-Rock. Muss man wahrscheinlich auch mal machen. Aber ist es dann nicht auch schon wieder fast eine Genrekonvention, gegen die doch alle progressiven Bands so verzweifelt versuchen zu verstoßen...? - Abgesehen von dieser Formalität hatte ich sehr großen Spaß mit diesem Track. Genau so wie mit dem ganzen Album. - Yes schafft es einfach immer wahnsinnig anspruchsvolle Musik in einem genial-groovigen und melodischen Gewand zu verpacken. - Ich hatte nicht eine Sekunde Langeweile, konnte mich voll und ganz der Mukke hingeben und war sogar fast etwas enttäuscht, als das Album vorbei war. - Besonders an "Siberian Khatru" und an "Total Mass Retain" hatte ich meinen Spaß. Aber nichts geht über diese unfassbar geile Progressive-Interpretation von einem meiner All-Time Simon & Garfunkel Favourites "America" - einfach mega!! - Die auf der Deluxe Version enthaltene alternative Version von "And You & I" hat mich auch extrem abgeholt, wobei auch die Originalversion Bombe ist. Wie nice ist einfach der Break nach etwa einem Drittel des Songs und das abgleiten in diesen sphärischen Comfortably-Numb-artigen Part?! Insgesamt habe extrem viel Liebe für dieses Album übrig, was ich hier zum ersten Mal hören durfte! Nicht damit gerechnet. Ab auf die Vinyl-Wishlist... Rating: 4,25/5 (Tendenz nach oben)
- Fand ich irgendwie geil - der erste Track war vor allem in seinem ersten Drittel etwas gewöhnungsbedürftig aber ich war irgendwie leicht fasziniert. Nach hinten raus wurde er ziemlich gut, auch wenn mir etwas Druck und Energie gefehlt hat. - And You and I ist für mich der beste Song auf der Platte. Einfach eine schöne, runde Ballade - An dem Rest der Platte hatte ich auch überhaupt nichts auszusetzen. Teils funky, teils proggy oder alt-rocky. - Es hat mir immer ein bisschen Energie und Dynamik gefehlt (z.B. wenn man sie mit King Crimson vergleicht; aber das liegt glaube ich einfach am Stil von Yes) - Textlich keine Ahnung, gar nicht drauf geachtet. - Schöne Mehrstimmigkeit, auch wenn mir im Endeffekt gesanglich etwas Vielseitigkeit und Abwechslung gefehlt hat - 3,75/5
- Als ich die Laufzeit des ersten Songs gesehen habe, hatte ich direkt wieder Bedenken. Allerdings gefiel es mir bis zum dritten Part tatsächlich gut. Nach einem ruhigeren Übergang, gegen den wenig einzuwenden ist, ging es dann mit dem vierten Part nervig und eintönig zu Ende - schade. Im Song Titel haben sie schon die Unterteilung in vier Parts, dementsprechend hätte man auch vier Tracks daraus machen können (wobei ich natürlich verstehen kann, dass sie hier wahrscheinlich ein Konzept dahinter gibt und diese vier Akte ohne Unterbrechung rüberbringen möchten). - And You and I hat zwischendurch ganz coole Instrumentals, hätte aber auch wieder gerne ab der Hälfte zu Ende sein können - Auch die zweite Hälfte des Albums holt mich nicht mehr wirklich ab Rating: 2 / 5
Good - will become part of my work nusic
There's some killer guitar and key parts in here, but then they get hijacked by organs. Like why?
Very very good. Not the best Yes album but still wonderful
Just not my thing man
Songs were pretty intensely long, but they were still really good. Far less jammy than Grateful Dead, more structured and melodically interesting. Wish it was broken up a little more just so I could focus on the parts I liked the most, but still a good listen.
Keys sounded like a final fantasy boss track
I have such a love hate relationship with Prog Rock. I like the style and the general vibe, but the weird interludes and just ridiculously long songs just ruin it for me. Still a good album, just not amazing to me.
No to Yes. Songs are series of novels. Some fun lyrics and instruments but nah.
Great but fragile is better
Good and funky!
Yes.
Siempre mola un poquito de Yes.
1. cloze to the edge - 1 2. and you and i - 1 3. ziberian khatru - 1 4. america - 1 5. total mazz retain - 0 6. alternate and you and i - 1 7. ziberia run through - 0
At its best, prog rock is an exploration of time signatures, key signatures, modes, and technicality. It can be beautiful if you know what you’re listening to. At its worst, it’s purely masturbatory, try-hard, wandering-aimlessly noise. I’m afraid that’s what this album is to me. There’s just much better prog than this. Some of it is even by Yes themselves. But this just makes me want to put on better prog. I’m glad the bands that seem to have revived this a bit (Tool aside. Blech) have improved on this genre and just made it much more fun and interesting. Can’t wait to cleanse my ears with some King Gizzard. 1/5
This is one of those reviews that'll be more about respect than enjoyment. I imagine this was quite an accomplishment, It's incredibly complex and references a lot of literary ideas. It feels like you don't really get music like this on such a technical level anymore. But it was too dense for my enjoyment
One of my favourites, and also one of my Dad's
Class
3.5, would probably go up to 4 with further listens. Very intricate album with much more coherence than a lot of the older prog rock i've heard. First song is clear highlight for me
2/5 - Hard for me to judge this properly as I don't like the genre. Not my cuppa.
Great album, just a musical tsunami of great tunes and melodies. I'm going to have to listen to this a few times I think. Also cannot help but think that the intro to And You And I sounded like the outro to JoJos Bizarre Adventure. Siberian Khatru might be my favourite song. In fact, they're all my favourite. Easy 4.
A good album almost like queen perhaps similar guitar playing styles
Very piano-forward rock
p263. 1972. 1 star. The epitome of 70s prog rock wankage. Pretentious, tedious musical noodling, technically proficient but with all the soul of a ring wraith of Mordor. An 18 minute opening track? Fuck no.
Puf, sin pies ni cabeza. Puf, encima tienen una versión de América de Simon and Gartfunkel ... que no mejora nada la original.
Very good. Loved the key changes and time signature changes. Very unique instrumentation.
Very chill, good album for workin
Wow what an album just sounded like an epic. Just production wise this was incredible well deserving of a HARD 5. I can’t wait to listen to this again and pay attention to the lyrics this time I was too blown away by the instruments on my first listen I couldn’t even pay attention. Would absolutely love to have this on vinyl -B
Really enjoyed, it’s an adventure
Best one yet. I have heard of Yes but I don’t think I’ve every actually listens to a song until now. I can’t even tell you how many times I listened to this album today. The first song on the album, close to the edge, is incredible. The song begins and I feel like I am a marble going down a marble track with all of the other marbles. I mentioned it in the group chat but I feel like this album has so many different sounds. It’s like a weird blend between Rush, tame impala, the animals, and sublime. Kinda all over the place but it blends together so naturally. That first song SHOULD be a hit classic that every dad drills into the ooey gooey minds of their impressionable sons. The whole album was terrific but that first song took me to another dimension and fucked my whole shit up. Will 100% be listening this album again.
I’ve listened to previous Yes albums and liked them so I knew I’d enjoy this. When I listened on my headphones, it wasn’t the greatest, but when I had it playing on my speaker at home, it was so much better! Listen again: yes Purchase for my collection: probably Favourite Song: Siberian Khatru
Did not like at all
This is Mars Volta right? I mean, it sounds exactly like Mars Volta. Didn’t realise they were Yes fans. Love this. Love it so much. I give it 5/4 stars
Group should be called No this was not for me
I quite enjoyed this one. Yes are classic prog rock and I'm happy to see them on this list. 4/5
I like Yes but I have to be in the right mood for this one. The title track might be good for meditation or falling asleep'
Prog bliss. A tight 37 minutes of soaring symphonic rock, and not a dull moment present. *Heard before
It was nice to revisit this album. The music is still light and airy. It kind of flutters along whichever way the wind carries it.
MOOG!! I liked it
Solid rock, would listen again
Music for pretentious hobbits
I'm always blown away by the keyboards and bass of YES.
I really tried but it’s too meandering and I couldn’t hold my attention for even the length of the shortest track. Great musicianship - mediocre record.
Too much organ synth.
Second prog rock album in a row and I’m not the biggest prog rock fan. This was ok. I had some tedious work to do and out this on and it was decent music to rock out to for that purpose. Just not the kind of music I would listen to for it’s own sake
zu stressig
All Yes albums officially gotten! My partner seems to really like this one, and I've heard all of it before, but I admittedly cannot remember a single ounce of the contents of this album, so let's hope it holds more of an impression with a more thorough listening, eh? Yep, this is certainly very good. I mean, when I add a nearly twenty minute song to my song rotation, you know you made a good album. I can't quite give this a five, as it did start to lose my attention with all the long tracks not broken up by anything more stomachable, something I feel a lot of five star prog records have, but this is still an excellent experience.
Simpatico.
yes
Highly skilled but ultimately dull, egocentric, screeching drivel.
I’m generally feeling kind of meh about this. It’s 70s prog rock, lots of guitar shredding and synth sounds together. It’s just not really hitting much for me beyond a few moments here and there. Not super critical, but the album is stylized in a weird way that wasn’t super clear from the Spotify version. I was listening to the first song (15 minutes long) and I thought “this sounds like multiple totally different songs”. Turns out on the original version each side was one song with sub-songs (plus one more main song on the B side). Spotify doesn’t make this clear though, so it makes the 15 minute song feel a bit odd altogether. The Spotify version also has a few other tracks that weren’t on the original, including an “America” cover (significantly worse than the original). Favorite song: And You and I Other: Total Mass Retain
A few bangers
Skip
Intens maar wel vet
Sentimental reasons. It was sweet and happy and full of possibilities when I was young.
fou album prog rock. definitely going back 8.5/10
It took me a while to find the motivation to listen to this. My dad loves Yes and I can see why, but they're not for me. Sorry dad!
Just 3 songs, very prod! 😆
Very edgy
A prog magnum opus.
This was a super cool listen. I feel bad giving this four stars when I gave Fragile five only a few days ago, but that only comes down to familiarity. I'm sure, with a few additional listens, this could easily become a 5-star record. This is a beautiful, interesting, ever-shifting listen. A few moments of dissonance that I wasn't wild about, but that is picking nits. I will be back to this one eventually.
Like a less harmonically rich but spacier CSN. It's good but I don't think I'll come back to it again, not quite enough there.
Puf, sin pies ni cabeza. Puf, encima tienen una versión de América de Simon and Gartfunkel ... que no mejora nada la original.
A 10/10 album for me for about 20 years, I'm not always in the mood for the opening track but when I am it is sublime. Nearly always in the mood for and you and I. Surprised to see other reviews lament this album as all theory/technique no emotion, as this album feels very emotive to me, lyrically and in its shifting dynamics and chord changes. One to listen to often as you find new things, immaculately max intricately made just like aja by steely Dan, and a great album to own on vinyl
Favourite songs: Total Mass Retain, Siberian Khatru Least favourite songs: Close to the Edge 2/5
Classic Yes
Close to the Edge might be a pefect album. There are no wasted seconds. Every peice of sound has a function and tells part of the overall musical story. Close to the Edge is the example of the best of what Progressive Rock can be: complex, inspired, taking you on a long journey of discovery, and rewarding to hear again and again. Each member of the band is doing their best, and playing together rather than a group of solos tacked together for individual agrandizement. The instruments and vocals are all creating a larger whole. I do admit that this album can take some commitment to listen to. The first side of the album ("Close to the Edge") is less likely to be music that you would have on in the background, but if you let yourself listen to side 1 it is worth your while. I love seeing others listen to this album for the first time. I like seeing them move from confusion about a start that can feel chaotic, to surprise (at the first bursts of vocals), and then there is a realization that the opening was not just chaos but was the intentional building of a larger world. You can see a new listener go from confusion and curiousity to satisfaction and comfort as they settle in to be carried along the journey of the first track. "Close to the Edge" was written with multiple movements, which are identifiable, but the transitions make sense and create a coherent single work. Yes is one of my top 3 favorite bands of all time. This is might be my favorite album from Yes, because there is no wasted space. It wasn't always my favorite, but I've come to appreciate this completeness of the record over the years. Side two of the album has a more traditional structure and reliance on medlodies, but side two has not abandoned reaching for an epic structure in the music composition. For this re-listen, I listened to the deluxe edition in order to hear Yes's cover of Simon and Garfunkle's "America", one my all-time favorite tracks from Yes. Even if you've heard the original version of "America" multiple times, Yes brings something new and is an example of the great music that Progressive Rock can produce.
A superb album, one of the great albums or all time and to my mind the best prog album ever. It fizzes with energy, invention, imagination and the virtuosity of messrs. Wakeman, Howe, Squire and Bruford. Who cares if Jon Anderson's lyrics are incomprehensible, when music is this good? The high point for Yes and for prog
Solid enough if excessive at times. The first track’s first half is pretty strong, but the second half sounds sort of like a pinball/arcade game. I would take Fragile over this album. The idea of rock as classical music was interesting to explore, and they execute it well, it’s just a little pretentious.
Classic prog rock. Genre-defining album. Don't miss.
Not as good as fragile, still enjoyable but felt like it dragged at times
Apparently my old music teacher at school used to get beaten up for his love of Yes albums in the 70s. While I abhor bullying, I can't help but feel his tormentors may have been trying to help him. With 7 songs in one hour, this is truly the Geoffrey Boycott innings of records. Unlike The Yes Album, there is at least an element of groove in this, and some synths to vary the textures of the album. However, they are still taking 10 minutes to say what others say in 2. Good prog makes 10 minute songs that need that space. Bad prog feels like they started with 10 minutes to fill and kept going till they did. This falls on that side.
Fantastic prog album that was very difficult to write and record for yes. Fantastic production and songwriting with beautiful and complex melodies.
3.75
old people music but not bad
every song was so long and not intreseting enough so i barely listened, didnt seem bad tho
i honestly didn't know any of the songs from this album (and I'm still unclear if I should've just listened to the first three or the full seven from the deluxe edition) but the prog was proggy and I'm here for it. imo this album was not nearly as catchy or fun as some of yes' other work, but definitely still enjoyable. favorites: siberian khatru, close to the edge
An iconic album from an iconic band. What sets Yes apart from all those other legendary prog rock acts from the seventies (Genesis, Jethro Tull, ELP, Gong, Gentle Giant and the likes...) is their groove and energy. Only King Crimson could rock that hard--well, depending on which "period" from their very long career is concerned, at least... *Close To The Edge* was a reputedly difficult album to record, but Yes managed to convey said live energy throughout the complex instrumental interplay in it. Jon Anderson's moving falsetto voice also brings a lot of soul to the proceedings. I admit I've always prefered his live performances, because they were "less perfect", and therefore sounded a little less "distant" to my ears... But this is admitteldy a very minor gripe of mine. And there are enough stellar moments in this magnum opus to make up for Anderson's mannerisms anyway. The melodies are catchy as f*ck, for instance, just as they were in many parts of *The Yes Album* and *Fragile*--patchier affairs for sure, yet ones that are still worth visiting today as well. I remember my review for *Fragile* a year ago being a little severe, by the way. I would probably add another star to my grading of it if I could have a say about it now... Speaking of the band's discography, the very first Yes release I owned was an excellent compilation (*Yesstory*), spanning the band's whole career. Of course, it included the epic title track taking up the first side of *Close To The Edge*. But "Siberian Khatru" was *not* in this compilation, which was a bummer for sure. That's how I ended up buying *Close To The Edge* as well. I don't have much room left in my small prog rock shelf, but I'll probably acquire *Fragile* or *The Yes Album* soon. And I'm pretty sure other seventies albums released by this band harbor many treasures I haven't listened to yet... One of the problems of so-called "progressive rock" is that you need to find the time and mindset to discover its gems (a common point it has with jazz). And it's a dynamic that's increasingly hard to reach in this day and age, sadly... 4,5/5, rounded up to a 5/5. Next, please. Number of albums left to review: 494 Number of albums from the list I find relevant enough to be mandatory listens: 240 (including this one) Albums from the list I *might* include in mine later on: 115 Albums from the list I will certainly *not* include in mine (many others are more essential to me): 148
Not good.
Close to the edge
An album of twists, for a time it could have you running off the edge and every now and them jumping off and gliding on a breeze. A lot of effort went in to produce it and small things are found on every listen but you wish that when they let rip they go for it big time. I didn't really feel that.
masterpiece
eh. dont get it
I mean it’s a jam album. If i was a fan I’d probably love it Will I ever listen to it again? No
The proggiest prog rock that was ever rocked
There is much musical virtuosity here but the songs are rambling and similar-sounding due to the common arrangements.
A masterpiece.
Hmmmm it was okay but didn't grab me at all
Decent
weirder than cool
I genuinely love prog rock albums with endless, meandering tracks that feel symphonic. This one had some cool spacey segments and god bless the mellotron, but the more grounded classic rock parts didn’t do quite as much for me
I actually preferred this to “fragile”. Meandering solos with epic build ups.
Hm, do I know Yes. I feel like I should. Let's take a listen.... The first track is 18:41 long. Kinda interesting. It's def 70's but this song is all over the place. Seems very disorganized, and chaotic. Like they just made it up as they went. Not too impressed.
BL: never listened to Yes before but seeing a 3 track album seems interesting. Structured and formatted very similarly to the rush album a couple weeks back. So let’s see if it is a similar experience. AL: not as strong as the rush album. Maybe it was wrong of me to assume a similar thing but there are definite thematic and structural similarities. The opener didn’t really feel like the 4 parts were any different from one another (apart from the final part) the subsequent two tracks were pretty alright though. A very good listen with headphones on and the best way to enjoy this kind of album. If you like Rush and prog rock this is certainly you’re thing but if you’re not then you may not like this. At the very least it has encouraged me to dig further and see if I enjoy anymore of their discography FT: “Siberian Khatru” 3/5
Puf, sin pies ni cabeza. Puf, encima tienen una versión de América de Simon and Gartfunkel ... que no mejora nada la original.
I believe this type of music requires multiple listens to truly respect all of the layers of music here. My first impression was that this was decent and that I would listen again to form a stronger opinion.
Pretty cool album
16åriga jag verkligen lyssnade på detta och var likt helig episk detta det bästa nånsin men hade int ens hört bladee eversince
One of the most perfect albums of all time
Bra! Titelspåret är lite lustigt ibland... men har definitivt sina sidor, som klimaxet mot slutet. Siberian Khatru daskar och And You and I är en mycket vacker sång. Önskar de hade lite mer smak angående att komplicera musiken... tbh
It's interesting, intriguing, but I'm sorry Prog Rock, I just don't want to join you on that very, very long journey
4.4 - I’m glad I listened to this during a long overnight flight with few distractions. This is a complexly arranged and impeccably performed suite where every song moves and morphs. It might be a while before I come back to this but I might reach for it on my next road trip or international flight. “America” is one of the more casual listens on here.
legendary album, perfect length for prog. Bill Bruford goated behind the kit
immaculate positive vibes
strano non mi piace
Brilliant album, technical, emotional, a masterpiece
I used to like this much more in High School. I probably first heard it in 1979, before The Clash's London Calling changed my life. Listening to this now, it sounds pretty bloated & self-indulgent, but back then it felt more like the next Pink Floyd or something like that. Given that the music hasn't changed (just me), I probably would've given it 4 1/2 stars back then and I would give it 3 to 3 1/2 now - So I'll split the difference.
Moments of interest amongst a lot of noodling
me gustó bastante el principio después meh,, 7/10
Vocals have a Graghm Nash feel, with worse song writing and harmonies. Music is clearly influential for Modern Jane music. Some interesting moments
One of those bands there were big back in the days, but didn't survive the test of time and have been forgotten since (compared to other bands). Tried getting into Yes before. Didn't manage then, and didn't manage now. On paper it should be a good fit, but in my opinion their songs just aren't that good, nothing that really grabs me or evoke any type of emotion other than indifference. It's not bad though,, nothing that is outwright wrong or anything, and it's still performed good etc, so it lands in the middle.
Yes is not one of my favourite band directly. It feels sligthly navel gazing. I really wasn't a fan of the opening track but the next few ones where better. But i got really tired of it and struggled to listen to it all the way. This type of progressive long songs takes a few listens to get into but I don't feel like I wan't to listen to it again to get to know it better. I guess that means it will have to be a 2 for now.
Whilst there were a few moments that didn't quite hit for me, or perhaps felt dated, overall it was a real entertaining listen. They certainly had a crack. The slower, euphoric moments that chopped into an almost blend of disco and some type of rock were the clear highlights for me, best typified in Siberian Khatru. 3.5
Dug this much more than a lot of the prog/psych/classic we've had. Thought during the first movement of track 1 that we might have a secret fiver on our hands. That was quickly dispelled by the group harmonies and frustratingly clean vocals, along with some melodic noodlies that didn't do it for me. But in general, I really appreciated the grit on the bass, some exciting syncopation in the drums, and some interesting instrumental flourishes - particularly on that first track. Three and a half. Fave track: Close to the Edge
Enjoyed this more than I expected to - never thought this was a band I would fully gel with. I think partly that’s still true in terms of the cliches that come with proggy stuff, but I couldn’t help but bop and sing along on second listen. Clearly very influential on a lot that came after - pretty fun listen. Three and a half. Fave track: Close to the Edge
First off, I get it. I know prog rock is a divisive genre. I know there will people who will hate this album and I get it. That being said, this is brilliant! Just a superb slice of 70s prog. Rick Wakeman's church organ solo in the title track gives me chills.
An amazing prog rock album. It's wild how bands were able to create epics for several minutes and make masterpieces like this. 4/5. Favorite Track: Close To The Edge
yes
titre de mon autobiographie
Me encantó. Había escuchado cosas buenas de Yes, y con eso me refiero a una mención en Escuela de Rock, pero, wow, sí que son buenos. Se siente un poco pretensioso, pero, cuando haces algo tan bueno, no tiene nada de malo. Podría pasar el resto de mi vida escuchando la melodía de introducción y cierre en Siberia. Fianalmente, no sabía si darle 4 o 5, pues, la verdad, me sorprendió que fuera tan bueno, pero, en el momento en el que escribo esta reseña, me veo más decidido por el 4.
'Close To The Edge' is everything that people hate about prog rock. 3 tracks, 38 minutes. Love it. Chris Squire is an absolute beast.
If you’re not into progressive rock this album is a nightmare. Opening with an 18+ minutes title track in four parts, odd time signatures, eccentric and extended instrumental sequences, lyrical material concerning literature and mysticism. There’s a lot to swallow here. Which is exactly why Close To The Edge, and Yes in general, is among the greatest 70’s music you will ever come across. Anderson is arguably one of the genres best singers and the rest of the band delivers incredible performances with every note. You can literally sum up the idea of progressive rock with Close To The Edge.
I love this record so much :) Favorite Tracks: ALL OF THEM! But And You And I is my absolute favorite 5/5
It was ight, rlly boring
First song was weird but I really liked the rest of the album. Some good melodies
Love that album. It’s so beautiful and dreamy 9/10 Fave: and you and I
I just had The Yes Album on Friday, and after I submitted my review this morning, I thought the same album popped up, but it was just Close to the Edge (it still baffles me that both The Yes Album and Close to the Edge are on here but not Fragile). What the heck are the odds that I would get these back to back? No, that's not rhetorical, someone please tell me the odds, I'm not a big statistics guy. I enjoyed this album a lot more than The Yes album. Even though the longer songs may make it less accessible, I think Yes really utilized their best lineup to create a great album here. I love that each song starts off with more guitar, allowing both the lead and bass guitars to set the tone before the keyboard and synth drive the tone of the songs. This album is a much better showcase of John Anderson's vocals, especially on "And You And I," and the backing vocals on "Siberian Khatru" were really great as well. I mentioned in my review for The Yes Album that I thought that Yes is one of the most underrated bands in classic rock, and this album only made me more sure of my opinion on the matter. I love that their three best albums (The Yes Album, Fragile, and Close to the Edge) all manage to highlight their talents in different ways. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to fire up Fragile while burning a cassingle of "Owner of a Lonely Heart."
Pure prog genius. Tuneful, with decent balance of pleasing musicality and otherworldly intellectual ambition.
Not swooning like the YouTube comments but it wasn't bad.
I feel like I've already had this album five or six times already. That's what happens when your opening track is over 18 fucking minutes long. That takes up all of side one for those of you scoring at home, or even if you're alone. The reissue of this thing has a funky cover of Simon & Garfunkel's "America". That's a feature and surely not a benefit. Having to listen to so many Yes albums is just toying with my Spotify algorithm at this point. Leave me alone.
Tal vez no sea para mi
Ain’t nothing wrong with doing the most from time to time.
Was dreading this one given prog's reputation but it slaps.
Cool but not precicely my jam.
This is the kind of music that bores me. No-one needs an 18 minute song. No-one has ever needed an 18 minute song. Though it's not even one consistent song, it's several mashed together. There's interesting bits, but overall it's so far up it's backside. I mean it's technically good, but it's not for me
So unnecessarily overindulgent I can't help but respect it
It's alright if you want to donate your most valuable resource, time. Otherwise, a bit indulgent.
Not exactly my style, but there were only minor annoyances in the prog rock noodling. I'll give it respect votes, and didn't mind listening through it.
Fine but long
This is very close to what I consider peak prog honestly, even after two listens. Tentative 4 for now, but I can see that rating going up with more listens.
The first track was just too much. But just when I was thinking, No, I heard the cover of America, and I thought, maybe a slight Yes.
Could fully get into it
Glad I got this over the weekend. Lots to take in and appreciate. Reckon I might have given this 2 stars if I had this on a weekday. I still think it protracted and self-indulgent but it’s also clever and even very funky at times.
bit long and shit innit.
There are tunes in here, if they were actually split into songs. I enjoy albums which take you on a journey. but this is the very definition of self indulgent
Bit of early 70s prog is alright for an early morning. Maybe not the best example of it (about the only time I actually *want* an album to include dumb pretend medieval shit) but still an easy 4/5.
Meh again
I'm edging
Great playing, listenable for prog, didn’t set my heart on fire
Quite interesting, I've had to create a prog playlist for this one. I just don't know when I will be in the mood to slap this on other than the obvious. The choice of instruments and feel for each part was quite good.
Não foi dessa vez que um disco de rock progressivo do yes funcionou para mim.
Far too experimental for me.
I owned most Yes albums in my teens, including this one. I listened to Yes quite often back then. Although I don't listen to them regularly these days and haven't for many years, it was great to hear this album again. This band, particularly with Bill Bruford in the lineup, is such a stellar assembly of incredible musicians and artists. Steve Howe is a remarkable guitarist. To my current ear, it's a little organ-heavy (or synth-heavy, but it sounds organ-like to me), and occasionally a little frenetic, but musically it holds up so well. Quite symphonic in moments.
Great Album
Prog rock, very long but not filling the time so to speak. It just seemed like many songs with no cuts. 2/5
4/5 - Extremely powerful and well made album, its clear the amount of effort and time spent creating this.
Absolute dirge
Much of the music of Yes is phrenetic and this one was too. Hard to groove to it because it bounces all over the place. Yes just isn't my style.
You say "YES" and I say, "meh" This is a transitional album. It's like a bridge from one era to the next. Once you cross that bridge there's no reason to keep it because you're on the other side and nobody cares to look back except some weird mix of people that frequent 1001 albums ... and the bridge falls into disrepair, or an earthquake comes and demolishes it, or maybe not demolishes it, but badly damages it so you can't use it even if you wanted to. And then, maybe there's a flood and it gets washed away and all that remain are some steps to the bridge but nobody cares about the dumb bridge unless those weird 1001 people come over to it and take pictures and occasionally ask each other "Hey, where do you suppose those steps used to lead to..." And someone says... uh, I dunno I guess they lead ... "Close to the Edge"
Two underwhelming prog albums in a row with "Close to the Edge" following "Peter Gabriel." Yes has much better work than "Close to the Edge." I'm sure the title track is a brilliant literary work of poetry, but it's 18 minute "Siddhartha" and "Lord of the Rings" inspired meanderings are lost on me. It might have been lost on the band, too? Apparently the writing and recording process was a bit of a mess, and it eventually drove the drummer away from the band. Prog is a weird genre. There are a lot of elements of it I like, when done well. (Or done to my taste?) How do you make a long, meandering rock song rise and fall, sink and swell, shift and then return, without it feeling disjointed? I can't answer that, but I know it when I hear it. And this ain't it.
Prog rock, man. Not my jam. After listening to the album, it makes sense that the band recorded sections of songs at a time, sometimes as few as 16 bars, before moving on to the next. The album sounds like the result of uber-tinkering with arrangements, takes, and mixes. I enjoyed hearing this, but I’m not coming back for seconds.
Yes are always kind of a mixed bag for me; sometimes they're great, sometimes they make boring songs, but also the boring ones usually have interesting passages within them. A lot of the time I feel like there's not enough delivery on Bombast that justifies the buildups
Let out a sigh when I seen it was a prog rock album this morning, but pleasantly surprised with how good this album is. Over the top at times but brilliant. Up there with the best prog rock albums, but not quiet as good as the best, so jsut misses out on the full 5 stars, probably more due to myself not being a massive prog rock fan.
Bizzarr, but my kind of bizzare. I like it.
I saw the reviews saying this was too proggy and I thought that would be a good thing, god this thing is unpenetrable! I'm sure it can grow on you in time but I don't think I have the perseverance to try
Wow that first song felt like jazz on drugs for 20 minutes. I can appreciate the complexity of the music though, and it had good movements.
3.5
Tough one. Think this is a bit too experimental/prog rock for me. However, I did enjoy listening to it (mostly). 3,5/5
Listened twice and might revisit. Probably going to check out the rest of their stuff at some point; this list doesn't have a great track record of picking out a band's best album imho (but maybe that's not the point?).
Good but short
The vague religious mantras and positively nerdy sound is absolutely what you would expect out of prog rock but c'mon. The first four minutes of the title track. You can barely tell if they're playing the same time signature. It is so mind bogglingly bizarre it should not work. Everyone is in their own world until they all magically fall into place and stop playing at the exact same time as someone exclaims AHHHH. And then they do it all again 2 seconds later. These four minutes will forever be perhaps the greatest moment in prog rock. Perhaps rivaled by the introduction to 21st Century Schizoid Man. And the middle of the song is like being born again so yeah. Other two tracks are good.
Ok not bad
This is pretty groovy!!
Pretentious dog-shit
not for me
Another great prog rock album from Yes. Whilst I don't generally like long tracks, the way that Yes is able to piece together these tracks allows for some really good flow throughout. Best: Close To The Edge Worst: Siberian Khatru
BEST ALBUM EVER MADE
"Close to the Edge" is the fifth studio album by English progressive rock band Yes and progressive rock it surely is. The album contains three songs, two with fours parts in them. It was last album with drummer Bill Bruford who would leave for King Crimson. He was also the person who coined the album title for the tedious process and the state of the band while recording. Other band members included Jon Anderson (lead singer), Steve Howe (guitar), Chris Squire (bass) and Rick Wakeman (keyboards). This album was their biggest commercial success at the time reaching #4 (UK) and #3 (US). The album opens with the self title "Close to the Edge" which takes up the whole first side and has four parts. The song was inspired by "The Lord of the Rings" and composer Jean Sibelius' "Symphony No's 6 and 7" and is quite the prog journey. Part I : "The Solid Time of Change" starts with running water, wind chimes and birds and then goes into jazzy, proggy chaos. Complex everything-drums, guitar and bass. The vocals findly come in at the 4:00 mark. Part II: "Total Mass Retain" is faster pace and is highlighted by Squire's bass and Wakeman's pyschedelic organ. Part III: "I Get Up, I Get Down" slows things down. Wow! The "Soft Bulletin"-era Flaming Lips must have been in the room: a dead ringer for that album. And the song ends with Part IV: "Seasons of Man." Now this is the Yes I know. Excellent drums, bass and a fade out. "And You and I" begins side two and also has four parts. It is a folk-oriented song and a tale of the search for purity between two people. Part I: "Cord of Life" has acoustic guitar strumming and a melancholy feel. Part II: "Eclipse" is slower and a waltz. There's a mellotron, minimoog and steel pedal guitar. Part III: "The Preacher, The Teacher" is highlighted by the chunky bass of Chris Squire and almost a souful organ of Rick Wakeman. Part IV: "The Apocalypse" ends the song with more of a lullaby. The third and final song is "Siberian Khatru," a more straight-forward rock song. It's about dreams of a clear summer day. The title meaning "as you wish." There is a part of the song that made me think I was listening to a proggy Grateful Dead. More great Squire and Wakeman. The song kind of strangely ends with an orchestral background. This is quite the album. Prog music of the highest order and the best album that I've heard in that genre, by a mile. No wasted notes. Fantastic and extremely complex musicianship. Sometimes Aderson's high-pitched can irritate me. Not here. At times the music is just exhilarating and never, ever boring. A must listen.
Hmmm. No.
No.
No
Tedious.
It's all quite long winded and wanky. As well as the Simon & Garfunkel cover.
Best Song: America. That bass (guitar? idk I'm musically ignorant) solo in the back of the song sounds awesome. Worst Song: Close to the Edge. It isn't all bad, but it's very much that prog-rock thing wherein it's actually 5 or 6 different songs mashed together, often with awkwardness at the points of connection. Overall: Pretty standard prog-rock, whose main selling point seems to be that predictable unpredictability of the genre. Nicely spacey at times, but mostly just frustrating in its inability to maintain a coherent thought.
Could not wait for this to end. It’s a meandering mess, somewhere between 1 and 2 stars.
I do love me a good prog epic!
I liked it.
undeniable talent, but it's all a bit too much for me
Too proggy for me. 70s prog rock can sound a little bit like the high school a cappella group joins a rock band and Yes unfortunately falls into this camp for me.
Any album that starts with an 18 minute song has my attention, unless it's U2, of course. I have huge respect for all the instrumentation going on here (sitar and harpsicord are some wild ones), namely the pipe organ! The guitarist really likes harmonics for some reason.
On the "café scale" this is a solid 4; I'm settling in, eating my chocolate croissant a little slower, ready to stay. But I'm never going to put this on for me.
Så dette er altså Yes! Progrock med mye, mye spennende. Tidlig progrock, baner nok vei både innenfor egen sjanger og andre
пу пу пу пупуп пу пу уп упу упу пу уп упу упу уп упу пу пу пу уп упу у ппп .
Must I?
Agh I haven't heard of Yes, I guess that might be sacrilege... I have had such mixed feelings with this album hahaha. I'll start with the negative, one track I can't remember which was too posey guitar solo hero dickhead for my taste, HOWEVER, I really like the tracks with vocals on, very Sting-like vocals. Also, as a life-long Long Song Hater, I actually didn't mind this small collection of very long songs, they move quite quickly taking different twists and turns which can be exciting as long as it's not just one long guitar solo. I guess these guys helped make prog rock mainstream and were very important in that which means I do and should appreciate them really! My highlight was "And You and I".
I actually liked this way more than I expected to. Was a bit worried about extremely long experimental rock but it was great. A lovely mixed of sound and great chapters to it
This was great. All over the shop, guitars here, random noises there, boom, bing, bash!
I just ... never really got Yes. They're innovative but just... meh. They're like bad jazz for guitarists.
A journey for certain, probably needs few more listens to be appreciated fully Saved tracks: And You And I, America
Quite enjoyable for a band I've literally never heard of. Singer gave me some Rod Stewart vibes I think?
decent, wish the songs were shorter
Some very sage comments along the lines of 'it's why punk had to happen, but it's also really good' - which is pretty much how I feel about it. Never going to give this five stars with the Anderson voice, but it's a solid four.
One of my favorite rock songs that I can't seem to get enough of is Owner of a Lonely Heart. There's just something about that song that gets me moving and grooving and reminds me of summer. So when this album came I got excited because that song was all I had heard of Yes. To my surprise, they are so much more than that song. This album has three songs that are between ten and twenty minutes each. Very long! But very unique and explorative in the music. I'm sure you could break them up into smaller bits as the titles suggest with their numbering, but I like these giant songs much more than some of the fakers we have listened to who were long for longs sake. This has been a great week for music!
Another from Yes, this looks familiar. The core album is only three tracks! Two are long suites of music. Deluxe adds quite a few but I didn't get much out of the deluxe so I'm sticking with the base. That said, the base is pretty great. The two suites are fantastic, especially "And You and I," I just love the acoustic guitar work and the heavenly ascension. Really solid stuff. I just saw yesterday I think that these guys are releasing a new album this year? Based on the strength of the two albums we've had, I might have to tune in. Great stuff. Favorite tracks: And You and I, Close to the Edge. Album art: Gradient green. The text/font is nice and funky. And I respect the deluxe border that we see on here, that's kind of a cool indicator. 4/5
Fantastic! And You and I is up there man... Really loved this.
It's a good sound and I can see how it has inspired a couple of my favourite bands like TOOL with the unusual rhythms and dueling guitars and even The Decemberists for long epic songs. I don't think I quite liked the sound enough to want to listen to the length of tracks there. I don't think they put their best foot forward with the beginning of the 18 minutes track. Somewhere halfway through I started to like the harmonies they had and it sounded a bit more coherent.
Thing is, no one warns of the evils of prog rock…I shan’t be listening to this bullshit again. I can’t, I won’t!
Yes is a band I want to like more than I do, but something just doesn't seem to hit all the way for me. I enjoy them well enough, but something just doesn't strike me as much as I'd think it should. "And You and I" is the highlight on this one for me, but it's not going to make any favourite songs list I may ever put together. Certainly, this album isn't one I would reach for very often either, but I'd enjoy it well enough if it's on.
Another ok one
Love the instrumentals in this but I do wish that the tracks were split into multiple. Obviously, the length is what gives them their charm, but I would pay more attention if they were separated. Fave track(s): Close to the Edge
Big fan of prog rock. This album is not my favorite Yes one.
I dont mind it that much but there us no reason for a song to be 18 minutes long Jesus Christ.
Mon écoute a semblé durer quelques minutes à peine. Je me suis laissé emporter. C'est peut-être l'orgue, mais il semble y avoir un côté religieux, comme une communion, dans la musique. C'est contemplatif et ça me plaît.
whats with the 10 minute songs my guy
Oh hell yeah. While progressive rock was (and still is) seen as the most pretentious form of rock that has ever existed, one would be amiss to look at efforts like Close to the Edge and dismiss it outright. The title track, depending on how one will tolerate its length, would be more than enough to convince the skeptic to at least consider the genre's charms (if not set them down a path that would make them a full blown proggie). Close to the Edge may very well be considered progressive rock's finest moment and Yes' masterpiece, besides Fragile. If they had ended things here, their legacy would be more than assured.
I'm not a huge prog rock person so I really had to be in a mood to enjoy 15+ minute long songs. I didn't hate it and could get into the groove. This is very much a mood album and I was in the mood today.
a prog rock wizardry spectacle that's a bit off the deep end, yet oddly endearing. definitely some parallels to Emerson, Lake, and Palmer here. probably best to listen to the non-deluxe edition for a tighter experience. 3.5/5
It has its moments but it also has keyboard solos so a bit up and down.
Proggy prog. Not bad!
To sporadic
I can see why prog rock gets a bad name. I expected to like this far more than I actually did, but found much of it fairly tedious.
madness
this shit is crazyyyy man i love yes. such form-breaking stuff, so musically intuitive and interesting. love the "one long song" idea with four movements, similar to a classical piece. rad all around
fuck, it’s so hard to choose which of these three songs is my favorite flawless album - 10/10
Another classic Yes album! This one and Fragile are my favourites
This album has 3 songs. They are long. I definitely understand why this is on the list, but it’s not something I’d listen to again. The first 3 minutes of this album felt like the musical version of a panic attack - that horrible energy was then resuscitated at around the 15 minute mark of this EIGHTEEN MINUTE track. Despite this, the first track was the best one on the album, with the following two paling in comparison to the point of boredom. As a summary: prog rock is apparently not for me.
Nice memories. I definitely like progressive rock. Nice mix of free jazz and rock.
Nice, atmospheric album
Not into rock
So much song packed so densely.
Enjoyable prog rock. One track was 18 minutes, but soemhow not overblown
Really interesting, I liked this one, 3.8
One of the things I am noticing about this list is that it seems to pick the most commercially successful album of a group, which, in my opinion, is often not a band's best work. Eliminator by ZZ Top is a good example and so is this. No one listened to this, at least no one who would admit it. It was the first two albums with, Yours is no Disgrace, I've Seen All Good People, Roundabout, etc. The first 2 Yes albums are enough. Tres Hombres is enough for ZZ Top.
That first song somehow managed to keep my attention for the whole 18 min. Gold star!!! I’d go like 3.8 if I could
Love it.
It was nice... but I'll need to listen to it a few more times
Noooooooooo! First song is 18 minutes long! Starts with birds and chimes? Prog is both good and way too self indulgent! I like ideas in the music but they need to be removed, shortened and made into more manageable songs! The sing chanting doesn't help! All the playing is too notch, just nerds that wouldn't stop until they were perfect players! Oh it's supposed to sound like a bunch of songs it's like part 1,2,3 or whatever! 18 minutes later...still not sold on prog but I didn't turn it off! Oh track 2 is only 10 minutes and I've heard this before! Still can't get into the voice!
I like this album as it's a journey from start to finish and it's hard to single out a favourite track.
This is not my preferred flavor of prog. Is it not pretentious enough? Or too pretentious along some axes, and not enough along others? Not sure! I didn't mind giving it a couple of listens but don't feel like I'll return to it... Fave track - "Close to the Edge", I guess - possibly the bit of it that's "Total Mass Retain" is bonus track metadata is to be believed...
Very trippy! I didn’t quite ever know what was going on, but there were some recurring themes that are interesting. I probably won’t listen again but that’s not on Yes. Favorite song: “America”
Ein gutes Album. Heute aber schon etwas schwieriger anzuhören. Der Geschmack verändert sich doch über die Zeit.
Those songs are long... not bad but could be split further, I don't understand why they didn't
I like Yes, but did not enjoy this album
De licht verteerbare stukjes vind ik wel leuk. Bijvoorbeeld bij wat denk ik track 1 movement 2 is (ergens vanaf de 5e minuut). Aan de andere kant zijn er ook stukken die me het gevoel geven dat ik tegen m'n zin in ben meegenomen naar een uitvoering van The Phantom of the Opera en ik met één of andere wiskundige zit te praten die maar blijft ratelen over z'n werk. Ik wil best in zien dat dit goed en knap is, maar als ik hoger dan een 3 wil geven moet er ook luisterplezier zijn. De derde track zorgt hier wel voor, maar het is niet genoeg.
GOD
The title track is an adventure! So complicated and multilayered
Not a Yes fan
Overdone noodling. 2/5
PREFS : Close to the Edge, Siberian Khatru MOINS PREF : And You and I
Here we go, another album by Yes on the list! Hurray! If only I could move back in 50 years I would be the happiest person on Earth. Well, I'm not a fan of this band or what they represent. This album reminded me a little bit of Rush (maybe because of vocalist?), but the overall effect is very underwhelming. I much more prefer King Crimson, or even Emerson, Lake and Palmer when we are talking about progressive rock from this period in time. In Case of "Close to the Edge" I don't feel anything special, no unique atmosphere is generated, three long songs that are quickly gone, like tears in the rain, to quote our favourite android. I wasn't hooked by any riff or guitar solo, I don't even remember drums or bass guitar, and I definitely didn't like the vocal. I suspect that whoever made this list certainly overvalues 70s prog rock. But to be fair, 1000 albums is a lot, so they have to fill the list somehow.
A proper prog rock album. Clean to a fault. While Fragile is far from perfect I think because of its imperfections I like it a but more than Close To The Edge. It's still a very good album but it kinda feels a little bit too sterile to me.
Prog rock goats
Awesome! One of the best prog rock albums of all time.
Heard it before?: No Enjoy it?: not really, it wasn’t awful I just can’t grasp music that isn’t classical having songs that are above 10 minutes Long Favourite song: didn’t have one
Not a fan of this particular Yes album. Just 3 long suite type songs that don't really appeal to me. 2 stars
Rock psicodélico setentero. Ni fu ni fa.
Always hear something new in this every time I listen. One of the greatest albums of all time, and one of the most important albums in my favorite style of music, prog.
One of the best prog albums of all time. Never fails to impress me.
Well made album, with good instrumentals. Some songs were way too long though. And you and I was a good one
Despite their name its a no from me. The songs are faaar to long and doesnt hold enough quality to justify being that way
This was a pretty unique album; only 3 songs but the first two very long. I'm generally not a fan of these kinds of albums but I thought that the band did a great job, especially with "Close to the Edge". Great all around. 8/10.
18 minute song? 3 on the album? and this is the deluxe edition? man the 70s were weird. I kinda like it. good background music and short. and the voices aren't too distracting while working.
I didn't listen very thoroughly but from what I heard I think it's a decent album. Some tracks are extremely long which I don't really mind actually, I just found it interesting. The tracks were easy to listen to and familiar sounding, even though I never listened to them before.
Honestly when I first saw that there were 3songs and 40 minutes I groaned, but to be honest if I hadn’t known it wouldn’t have felt like it. It wasn’t like something dragging along and within one song it was so diverse and interesting. I was impressed by the way the album completely changed my perspective and I was just listening on my phone- I can only imagine how it would sound in stereo.
I'm admittedly a bit surprised this album is on the list. I'm familiar with it and know that as much as I loved it growing up... it's definitely not gonna be for everyone, and even might be tough for some who casually enjoy some old Yes. You're getting through an 18 minute song right off the bat - it'd be hilarious if someone got Close To The Edge right after The Ramones, say. It's an adventure though, and if you're not inclined to listen to long songs give it just one legit chance, and the best way - only way, really - is to immerse yourself. i.e. don't have it on your phone as you're making dinner - sit and listen or put on headphones in bed. The title track has considerable dissonance until the band locks in to a few themes so it's not an easy entry but absolutely worth the trip; "And You And I" is the highlight and was always a favourite song of theirs - to me it never seems as long as it is; that's at least one you can play for company :D In the end though, I can't ever properly conceive how anyone could even write music like this - this album is like a 40 minute dream world and to this day every time I listen to it I hear something new. That's probably why I'm still mesmerized by it. TL;DR: Unlike anything else I've ever heard. Put headphones on and get lost. 9/10 5 stars.
Not terrible.
One strong Yes album, easily in my top 5.
Better if it had no vocals
Great album, a prog rock classic. I really dig both the arrangements as well as guitarwork. Favorite songs - Close to the Edge multiparter as well as Siberian Khatru
Well, there's a whole lot going on here, and it goes on for a whole long time. Can't fault the musicianship, but golly gee it rambles, and not in a way that holds my interest.
A staple to the Yes Legacy and Prog Rock as a whole, but another Yes album has my heart and its legacy is not pervasively appreciated.
Band name checks out.
It’s a No for me
Another masterwork by Yes. It has all of the bombast & pomp associated with prog, but is as accessible as anything.
Dreadful prog rock
Vad försöker de säga mig? Jag förstår inte. Musik för coola pingstvänner.
i am ashamed that it took me this long to listen to this album but it was very good. will need at least another listen
Gillar. Lagom chopsigt för att vara Yes
Dad loved it. I’m wasn’t so sure. Loved it 🥰
I'm not a prog rock guy. I think this solidified it for me. I really appreciate how wild and moving it can be. It's operatic and constantly evolving. Maybe this genre will grow on me with more albums recommended.
Spectacular
Prog rock bullshit, but good prog rock bullshit.
Not terrible considering what it is, but still mostly pretentious, self indulgent wanking.