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Cyan Reviews your Crap: Close to the Edge


Cyan Blue

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This is my second blog post and also my second review of an album. I know nobody is keeping up with it but even if one person looks at it, I get to share my taste in music.

 

 

 

Close to the Edge, by Yes (of course :P ) is one of the most well known album by Yes and was probably where all the musicians were at their peak. Rick Wakeman was as genius as ever. Alan white was new on tour (but Bill Bruford is the one playing drums on the album) Steve Howe was ripping out amazing solos, as well as Chris making mesmerizing bass lines. Jon was breath taking also.

 

This is usually recognized as one of the most proggy albums Yes ever came out with. Only holding 3 songs, the album is about 40 minutes long. Let's start off with the 18 minute title track, Close to the Edge!

 

 

This song is the longest track on the album. It is divided into multiple sections, so I am going to review it like that, here we go!

 

 

1. Solid Time of Change:

 

Starts out slow, with various synth noises and birds, etc.

 

Then it goes into total chaos. With lightning fast keyboard and guitar riffs. Along with the insane rhythm section.

 

FUN FACT: This part came about when someone in the band (I forgot who) asked how fast keyboardist (Rick Wakeman) could play. He then came up with this.

 

Then after the chaos, it goes into the breakdown. It gets a little less overwhelming.

 

Steve Howe get's out the Sitar soon after that, then the vocals come in.

 

Most of Yes' lyrics make little to no sense anyway, so.

 

Overall, this is an awesome part to the song. Not something I would recommend for someone to listen to if they never heard Yes, but a true fan favorite.

 

 

2. Total Mass Retain

 

Not much to say here, it's pretty much almost the same thing as where we picked up last time, until...

 

 

3. I Get Up, I Get Down

 

"We have the ‘the I get up, I get down’ part before it goes into a beautiful ocean of energy. You’ve gone through nearly 10 minutes of music that’s very well put-together, but then you want to let go of it. You relax a little bit."- Jon Anderson

 

(Read more at http://www.yesworld.com/2012/12/jon-anderson-talks-yes-close-to-the-edge-track-by-track/#VGvjs8Zgau2EpR4R.99 )

 

"This is where everyone starts lighting up"- Me

 

It's a relaxing bit, a slow, peaceful, part in the middle with a lot of beautiful vocal harmonies. It takes you away...

 

 

A truly haunting church organ plays in the middle of it, that amazes people to this day.

 

It's a one in a lifetime experience, pure bliss.

 

4. (Final) Seasons of Man:

 

Straight back to the chaos I see. I don't even know what to think at the beginning of this part, it's crazy.

The keyboard solo is awesome once again.

 

It then is kind of like a reprise with the Total Mass Retain part, again with Howe on the Sitar.

 

It ends with emotional singing, which is a great way to close the track, then comes back the birds and the rest of the synth.

 

Awesome song overall, great title track. A spiritual experience, indeed.

 

9/10

 

 

yes-chris-squire-two-corbis.jpg

 

 

 

Song 2: And You and I.

 

"The best love song ever without using the word "love" a single time."

 

This song is also in sections, so I will again review it like that.

 

1. Cord Of Life:

 

Starts out with the harmonics on the 12 string acoustic guitar, then goes into this slow part. It kind of sounds like the beginning of the end (Which it is).

 

It goes a into a bit of a "happier" chord progression, with D shaped chords.

 

Next, there is a great relationship switching back with Chris and Jon's singing.

 

Awesome start, not much to say here.

 

2. Eclipse

 

Steve brings out the Lap steel, and Rick Wakeman's passages with the Mini Moog and the Mellotron really make this part.

 

The singing is also a work of art, as usual.

 

It goes back to the acoustic guitar, which really is a great way to end the section.

 

Slow and emotional, a masterpiece.

 

 

3. The Preacher, The Teacher:

 

My favorite section, a ballad like section.

 

It's really quite amazing, actually.

 

I almost cried when I first heard the song.

 

It's also what prog rock is about, put your own meaning to it. Create a meaning that means something to you.

 

That's how I interpret it, anyway. ;)

 

 

 

4. Apocalypse:

 

Once the piano hits its last note:

 

It's the end, everyone.

 

The title of the track really fits for some reason, I feel like this is what most love songs should be like.

 

It closes with a slow guitar and a slide in the background.

 

 

This song needs nothing more said. :(

 

 

10/10 Yes, I rate it that high. Best song on the album, in my opinion.

 

andyouandi1.jpg

 

 

 

SONG 3: (Final Song)

 

Siberian Khatru

 

 

The shortest of all the songs, but that doesn't mean anything. It's still a strong song.

 

It starts off with the fast guitar, and then the rest of the band comes in. This is the perfect song to close the album.

 

To be honest, It gets a bit redundant. Mostly towards the end.

 

FUN FACT: I play this song on my guitar daily, (my brother hates me for it :P )

 

According to Jon, this song is about how Siberia is so far away, or something like that.

 

(ANOTHER FUN FACT: ‘Khatru’ means ‘as you wish’ in Yemeni.)

 

I hate to leave off the this post with such a weak song review, but there isn't much to say about it to be honest. Doesn't mean it's a bad song at all. You just have to listen to it on your own :proud:

 

 

Overall, great album. One of my favorites from Yes. You need to listen to it.

 

 

OVERALL RATING: 9.5/10

 

howe.jpg

 

 

REQUEST ME STUFF!

 

 

Anyway, for now. I'm out :please:

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