Yes
„Close To The Edge“
Progressive Rock. Black Vinyl, Gatefold, Reissue, 2012 (1972).

"Close to the Edge" was released in 1972 by Atlantic Records and is the fifth album by the British prog-rock band Yes. The album was profitable at the time, but critical acclaim was mixed. Today, "Close to the Edge" is considered Yes's artistic pinnacle and a model for early 1970s prog-rock. It's worth noting, however, that bands like Genesis, King Crimson, and Pink Floyd already existed and influenced each other. It ranks fifth among the 50 best prog albums.

Some say that every prog fan needs this album in their collection. I don't subscribe to that rule, though. And sometimes that's a mistake.
Despite all their contributions to prog, Yes, like Gentle Giant and King Crimson, unwittingly helped dig its first grave. Later, prog became too cerebral, with constant lineup changes, too many frills, world music influences, vain instrumental tinkering, and, worst of all, free jazz. Some people like that. I don't. Progressive music thrives on uniting different styles; at some point, it simply became too much. The dynamics of emerging new genres in the 1970s accelerated this initial decline far more significantly. Many people turned to these genres: metal, punk, and the emerging new wave. Punk, in particular, was dominated by short, punchy songs, provocation, and rebellion. Who wanted to listen to tracks longer than 10 minutes back then? Pink Floyd (though Pink Floyd is more than just prog) survived this phase, while prog bands like Yes, Gentle Giant, and Genesis tried to adapt to these changing conditions and distanced themselves from prog. I was only vaguely aware of Yes in the past and didn't discover "Close to the Edge" until much later. That's why I'm reviewing the 180g reissue from 2012. A beautiful record that contains everything that makes prog what it is. Even in melodic neo-prog, we can still discover elements of Yes. This album, like King Crimson's "In the Court of the Crimson King" from 1969, is timeless and a milestone of prog.

Another album that professors have written treatises about. What more can a mere prog-head like me add? Suffice it to say: it's structured like a sonata, but since it's loosely based on Hermann Hesse's Siddhartha, the ending doesn't echo the tone of the beginning. The journey is the destination. 

I can really only describe what I love so much about prog rock using this album as an example. Breaking with musical conventions while simultaneously returning to classical compositional forms. Prominent keyboard passages, intricate guitar playing, interesting bass lines, skillful drumming, the use of instruments from outside the genre (e.g., sitar), multi-part vocals, time signature changes, long tracks, and, in the case of concept albums, no breaks between tracks, but rather seamless transitions. Have I forgotten anything? Most definitely!

The album contains three songs. "Close To The Edge," at 18 minutes, occupies the entire first side, but is divided into five sub-sections. It begins with nature sounds and transitions into typical progressive rock intricacies. This gradually gives way to more melodic sections and Jon Anderson's pleasant vocals. The contrast between instrumental virtuosity, melodic parts, and vocals is perfectly executed. There's always something new to discover, which keeps it from ever becoming boring.

Side B begins with the 10-minute track "And You And I" (divided into four parts), a completely different experience: acoustic, calm, and very melodic with beautiful, symphonic melodic arcs. Some of the vocal passages by the band IQ remind me of Yes. It's simply a beautiful prog song. And that's another thing I love about prog: the anticipation of the parts of the track that you particularly enjoy. "Siberian Khatru" then brings back the rock influence. Some of the melodies remind me of American crime series from the 70s. What we hear is a typical prog song with many different passages, and here the mix of breaks, melody, and subtle technical flourishes works perfectly. With this album, Yes did everything right.

Conclusion

A role model not only for 70s prog, but also for prog today. Timeless. A perfect blend of wonderful melodies and prog-infused intricacies. Any criticism? I ignored this album for too long. In addition, the vinyl version (which has no disturbing noises) sounds clean and lies flat on the platter.

Die Credits spare ich mir jetzt, denn sie stehen alle auf der Rückseite des Albums.

The photos are all from my LP. The rights to all motifs, logos, texts and fonts that can be seen in the photos are of course owned by the copyright holder.

No AI was used in the making of this Review.
©05.September.2026