Close To The Edge - YES*****

Close To The Edge/And You And I/Siberian Khatru

The progressive group Yes reached a creative peak with the three extended tracks of Close To The Edge. Alas, this would be their high water mark as future releases would reflect their descent into turgid mediocrity. (US:3 UK:4)

“This, as far as I'm concerned, sounds like heaven, the gorgeous melodies, sublime harmonies, top notch musicianship, dense layered luscious instrumentation, pretty, poetic lyrics. To me, this is why music exists.”

“This disc provides a cohesive, unified musical vision and is certainly one of the most consistently excellent Yes albums. It provides a perfect balance between accessibility and experimentation, whilst the music is highly original, novel and complex, at the same time the album is still approachable.”

“This album pretty much has everything I look for in music. It's tightly played, yet demonstrating a freedom in the patterns and structures; it's melodic, it's very alternative, yet so very much 70s sound to it. There are harmonies with good vocals and it all just melts into a perfect balance.”

“Close To The Edge, the opening track that takes up the entire first side has a great beginning, full of noodling guitars that lead into upbeat movements spiced with harmonies. The middle track And You And I is more experimental and slower moving, while Siberian Khatru is conventionally structured and fast paced. Overall this is a very delightful listening experience.”

“Close to the Edge is a very good example of a rock symphony. The title suite in particular, is impressive in the way it's organized: the basic themes set out at the beginning are reprised repeatedly in interesting ways. The arrangement is also excellent, with all of the instruments working together in sometimes surprising ways.”

“Close To The Edge is great music, composed and played by instrumentalists with a great amount of talent. The title piece defines Yes: texture, depth, motion, lyrical, containing intertwining themes amidst changing tempos that lift the piece to a soaring climax. It never sounds dated. And You And I contains rich, full keyboards surrounded by fine guitar work. Siberian Khatru crashes forward with Howe's unique guitar style.”