Ranked No. 67 on the List of the 100 Greatest Guitar Albums of All Time by Guitar World
Close To the Edge is the fifth studio album. "This 1972 recording set a trend for Yes of structuring an album around a single epic song. Here the centerpiece is the title song "Close to the Edge." The album reached No. 4 on the UK Albums Chart and No. 3 on the U.S. Billboard 200 during a chart stay of 32 weeks.
Close To the Edge is the fifth studio album by prog-rock legends Yes. This 1972 recording set a trend for Yes of structuring an album around a single epic song. Here the centerpiece is the title song "Close to the Edge." The album reached No. 4 on the UK Albums Chart and No. 3 on the U.S. Billboard 200 during a chart stay of 32 weeks.
Close To the Edge is pure progressive rock, thoughtful and intelligent compositions executed by the classic lineup of virtuosos including Chris Squire (bass, vocals), Rick Wakeman (mellotron, moog, Hammond organ, piano), Steve Howe (electric, acoustic guitars), Bill Bruford (drums, percussion) and Jon Anderson (vocals). The individual and group ensemble work on Close To the Edge is breathtakingly complex and the arrangements are incredible, everything flawlessly flows from one piece to the next.
There's also a spiritual influence introduced by Jon Anderson in the music and lyrics of all three tracks on Close To the Edge. Renewal and repetition are other main themes. The album works incredibly well as a complete work that fuses music, lyrics and Roger Dean's album covert art together in one seamless totality. Compatible with all SACD and CD players.