Close to the Edge
Close to the Edge asks for a full side of attention before it has finished its first song. Yes make that invitation convincing through the movement of the music itself. The performances are extremely busy, but the album gives its ideas enough shape and contrast to remain memorable.
The title track begins with an abrupt change from natural ambience to a fierce instrumental rush. Steve Howe's guitar seems to pull against the rhythm section, while Chris Squire's bass keeps a strong physical presence beneath the activity. The vocal entrance changes the perspective. A recognisable song begins to emerge from the crowded opening, making the arrangement feel purposeful even before its larger design becomes clear.
The quiet central passage is the essential turning point. Jon Anderson's voice and the layered harmonies allow the music to become still, with Rick Wakeman's organ gradually expanding that stillness into something much larger. When the more active material returns, it carries the weight of the interruption. The ending earns its sense of arrival by bringing those different states together.
And You and I offers another kind of scale. Howe's acoustic guitar gives the opening an intimate, detailed surface, and the broader keyboard passages can then rise around it without losing that clarity. The song moves between folk-like delicacy and a grander sound with remarkable patience. Anderson's high voice helps connect these changes, keeping a clear melodic thread through the instrumental shifts.
Siberian Khatru brings a firmer rhythmic drive to the final stretch. The guitar figure provides a useful point of return, while Squire's bass remains active enough to make the music feel in motion underneath it. Bill Bruford's drumming adds sharp accents and a lightness that prevents the repeated material from becoming heavy. The interplay gives the song much of its excitement.
Anderson's words often work through images whose meaning stays elusive. Their sound inside the music is more persuasive than any single explanation of them. That approach asks for some patience, but the melodies and arrangements provide a clear emotional route through the record. Across just three pieces, Yes create an expansive album with a strong sense of proportion.
