Yes - Close To The Edge (Remastered & Expanded) (CD 2003)

I'd like to say straight of the bat that these Rhino editions are far superior to the HDCD issues you can import from Japan. Close to the Edge was particularly bad, with much distortion in the title track's Organ section. Rhino have done a good job of refreshing the recording, and the packaging (a miniature reproduction of the original gatefold vinyl cover) is superb as well. It is worth renewing your copy if you have one of the older CD releases.

If you are not familiar with this album (widely regarded as the peak of Yes' output), I should say that this is an essential buy if you love classic Progressive Rock - obvious really. What is not so obvious is the way this album bridges the gap between what I would call heavy or hard-core prog bands like King Crimson, and the more whimsical and melodic style of bands like Genesis. Although Yes do use unusual timings and complicated key structures, the music is very catchy and tuneful - you can still sing a long to it. Or more likely, hum a long with it, as Jon Anderson's lyrics are obscure to say the least - on this album he is at the height of his "the words don't mean anything, I just like what they sound like" period. His choir-boy vocal style tends to be either loved or loathed as well. This is the Howe/Anderson/Wakeman/Bruford/Squire incarnation of Yes, and obviously the musical credentials here are sky high (I must say though that I really do believe that Chris Squire is the best rock bassist ever IMO).

The album consists of three tracks, and all of them are outstanding - there really isn't a note of filler. All the tracks are crammed with ideas and are constantly twisting and turning in different musical directions, although never so much that the listener is overwhelmed (like all music of this type though, a certain familiarity is required). The title track starts with a discordant section which makes difficult listening on first acquaintance, but it is a clever contrast to the beauty of the main theme when it arrives. It is on this track that Chris Squire shines, with some really blistering riffs throughout. "And You and I" is probably the most accessible track, due to its catchy and pretty acoustic guitar part and lush Mellotron chorus. The album closes with "Siberian Khatru" which with a heavier guitar part and rather severe sounding Mellotron, eventual melts into a beautiful fadeout chorus.