How do you rate the album Close to the Edge?

[BrianD]

This has been done before but not in a way to keep track of the scores - hopefully this will overcome that by allowing you to choose one score per album.

You can base your evaluation on any version of the album including the Rhino remaster

[stevie]

I would have voted 10 for this but the option doesn't appear to be there.

[MARS]

My first love, of Jon's voice
10+

[neilius]

About as close to perfection as anything.

[BrianD]

For some reason all of the 10s were missing from the polls - I've corrected it and adjusted the scores as above

[neilius]

Thanks Brian.
I would have given it 1,000!

[True Believer]

A perfect 10.

[Yes2Yes]

Put me down for a 10. CTTE is a masterpiece!!

[SCHSYesfan]

How do you not vote 10???

[YesfanAndy]

if anyone does NOT vote 10 - They will have to answer to me! lol..

[gathernear]

For me, this is the peak.


Larry

[Timmo]

I give it an "11".

[heartofthesunrise]

The penultimate CD. Yes's 'Lamb'. A 10 10 times over.

[yessongs72]

I give it a 9 only because of Siberian Kahtru, take that away and the album is a solid 10.5!

[cinderella]

I gave it a 10. It's a great album.

http://www.millan.net/minimations/smileys/approvedsmile.gif

[Hill St.]

10!My favorite album of all time!

[Jonah]

A 10

[YesJen357]

It just couldn't be any better, could it?
No, -you can't improve on perfection.
-But then; if Awaken was on it......Hmmm.

[Timmo]

Close to the Edge is a perfect crystal, symmetrical, nothing out of place.

Relayer is the same crystal, smashed and reassembled.

[Yes_Fan_4_Life26]

Crap their isnt a 1 000 000 000 rating. Crap ah well I guess I can't vote. LOL Joking

10 (Though I wish there was 10 x 1 000 000 000)

Paulson

PS: Teacher: How do you spell "perfection"

Student (frantically waving his hand)

Teacher: Yes, Bob

Student (blurts out rapidly): CLOSE TO THE EDGE!!!

[Timmo]

Someone at work has a cell phone ring of birds.

You know you're a Yes fan when the first time you hear it, your first thought is "Damn! Who's listening to "Close to the Edge?"

[Albedo]

Close to the Edge is a perfect crystal, symmetrical, nothing out of place.

Relayer is the same crystal, smashed and reassembled.

Exactly!!

[Whitefish]

A 10! Bruford gave a great last performance with them for a while!

[Earl Grey]

Close To The Edge is the greatest album, ever.

There. I said it.

Better than Dark Side. The songs are stronger, the playing?

Best album ever. Better than Abbey Road.

EG

[gitsy]

I gave 9 I am afraid! A great album maybe their best, Relayer is also up there. The only album I would give 10 out of 10 is Fish out of water but that’s another poll.

[ndselwood]

Gets a nine from me - and i'm probably being mean !

Who was the "Yesfan" who gave this masterpiece a 1 ??? We all have a right to our own opinions but there are limits !!!

[Ktrek]

10 in my book! Every member is important on this album. I love to sit and listen for different reasons. One listen I might concentrate on Bruford's drumming (amazing really how he does stuff that seems like it wouldn't fit and somehow it works) or Squire's bass playing or Jon's voice and lyrics. It just really is one of the finest rock albums ever made IMHO.

Kevin

[Bluebird71]

I listened to CTTE this morning and once again came to the conclusion that I wouldn't change a thing on it: a progtastic 10

[Will]

I don't have a favorite Yes album -- I like them all, some more than others. Close To The Edge though is nearly perfect in my opinion. The first time I heard it, especially Siberian Khatru I was blown away.

[bcc2100]

Close to the Edge is my personal favorite, Close to the Edge is Extremly entertaining, bu Siberian Khatru is definitly the weak but close to the edge more then makes up for thing song

[ANTIOCH]

A perfect 10 !!!!

[Homeworld]

Who was the "Yesfan" who gave this masterpiece a 1 ??? We all have a right to our own opinions but there are limits !!!

I agree. Who can give Close to the Edge 1 out of 10?

Thats just crazy talk!


10/10 there was no way I could give it less.

[BrianD]

Close to the Edge currently rates 9.61

[Deliriumyes]

Close to the Edge is a perfect crystal, symmetrical, nothing out of place.

Relayer is the same crystal, smashed and reassembled.


Wow, Timmo, you are SOOO deep! You make me think, always.

CTTE has always been and will always be my alltime favorite piece of music. I remember, as a teenager, lying on my green beanbag chair with one huge speaker on either side of my head, listening to this over and over and over again...sigh...***

[Hugh Shiebler]

You've heard the expression "their reach exceeded their grasp"? well in this case, they reached, they grasped, they went for it, and they got it. Breathtakingly good for a "rock" band or any band at that time! All the stars must have been aligned: the right people with the right ideas and the right talent at the right time - - a producer who understood the band and their music; a record comapny willing to let them do what they could do; and a public that was ready for and accepting of such a feat in a way that has probably never been the same since.

And Robert Fripp, attending some of the sessions, saying to Bill, "I think you're ready now..."

FYE, "penultimate" means "next to last" (not ultimate ultimate).

[gus]

Well I just went through all these polls and CTTE is the only album that I gave a 10. It’s the only album by Yes that comes very close to perfection, and it fully deserves a 10. One of the best prog albums ever made!

But I was going through all these polls and the number of people who give out 10’s is astonishing. It’s like they are throwing them out like pennies. A 10 is a perfect score! Let’s be realistic here people. CTTE makes sense, but some of the other albums, jeeze. And it even happens in reverse, some people giving out a 1! There is no album ever recorded by Yes, that deserves a 1. Open Your Eyes and Union are mediocre, but the worst album ever? That’s what a 1 means. There are still a few good tracks on these albums, but some are giving out a 1. Milli Vanilli deserves a 1, because they had someone else sing their songs, and tried to take credit for it themselves.

I like the way imdb.com works polls for averages with its movies. A 10 or a 1 are not given the same weight a 2-9 are, because they know fanboys and/or haters are the ones who give a 10 or 1, and these are not realistic ratings. It’s probably the best system used for averages.

Anyway, I do think CTTE gets a 10, but it’s the only one I feel that deserves it.

Btw, sorry if I’m ranting. I just wish these polls were more realistic.

[ToBeOver]

Close to the Edge is my personal favorite, Close to the Edge is Extremly entertaining, bu Siberian Khatru is definitly the weak but close to the edge more then makes up for thing song

I gave this album a definite 10. I don't know how anyone could give it a 1! I have to disagree with you here, bcc. Siberian Khatru is one of the strongest songs on this album---as is Close to the Edge. The entire album is phenomenal!

:keyboard:

[sparky]

I gave this album a definite 10. I don't know how anyone could give it a 1! I have to disagree with you here, bcc. Siberian Khatru is one of the strongest songs on this album---as is Close to the Edge. The entire album is phenomenal!

:keyboard:
I totally agree with you. Siberian Khatru is not only one of the strongest on CTTE, but one of the strongest compositions Yes ever made. It´s a very "compact" song and the progression feels very natural. The song I listen to the least nowadays from CTTE is actually And You And I. It used to be one of my first loves, but maybe I´ve just heard it one too many times. It´s still a fantastic track though! By the way, this is the only Yes album that I gave a 10 without hesitating. I think I gave The Yes Album a 10 as well, but I hesitated more there...

[Bluebird71]

Anyway, I do think CTTE gets a 10, but it’s the only one I feel that deserves it.

I second that. My other two YES favs, TYA and Going For the One, are both incredible records but I would never give them perfect marks. For me it is the purity of the music on CttE that sets it apart in the discography; the fact that I can't pick out any musically inferior moments from the whole, which would make me think twice about going for top marks. I can do that with pretty much every other YES record I own. Actually, with nearly every other record I own. :D

[maximumdan]

I'll own up to it, I gave it the 8. Some of it just was not necessary. I have listened to all three songs probably a hundred times each, and listened to the album all the way though at least 4 times. I find myself fast fowarding through the birds on CTTE, Steve's first 1:30 on And You and I, and usually do'nt last too long past the harpsicord on Siberian Khatru. Each song could have been 2 minutes shorter. Relayer is their true masterpiece. Not a minute off the whole album could be cut. You don't need birds and talking at the beginning of songs to set the mood when a melody is powerful enough as it is. The songs also seem to blend together better making smoother transitions.
I also rate the Yes Album above CTTE. Just a more solid and enjoyable listen. I dont think i have EVER lost interist half way through Starship trooper or Yours is no Discrace, even after listening to all the songs on the album many more times than CTTE.
Even so, CTTE is one of the their best albums. I just feel that there is better stuff by Yes out there.
This is my first post here... please don't hate me forever.

[Awaken1976]

I grew up as a very very young lad with this album. It brings back pleasant memories when I listen to it so, I gave it a 10. Now if I could only find my gall dern copy of it! I haven't listened to it in several months now.

[rahtreelimbs]

A 10..........NO DOUBT!!!


Yes was the first band that I really loved and to this day is still #1. Everyone has an opinion here that is valid and that is variety being the spice of life. CTTE is an album that never really grows old.

For 5 guys that had no real clue and how this album would turn out they might have gotten a little lucky.


Where is it documented that Fripp was attending some of the CTTE sessions?

[Steve St Thomas]

An easy 10. The album's as close to perfection as you can get 5 people to be. Even though I don't understand what seasoning to put on my witch.

[luckeydoug1]

I give this album a 2.
I know my opinion of this album is not shared my many (if any) but that being said, after giving this album several complete run throughs I still come away with the same opinion I had after my initial listen. If this had been the first Yes album I had ever listened to I probably would have never listened to another one. So much of this is just so wrong for me. I find I have to skip over many parts of all of the songs to get to parts I enjoy. I have to skip the first 3:55 of the title song and then much of it seems leave me with "I've heard it before", too much like Roundabout maybe. And You and I may be the best one here, but even this one has parts that just irritate me. Siberian Khatru has excellent moments as well, but still there are parts that simply just seems so wrong. As far as albums go I much prefer Going for the One from early Yes. As for the songs on CTTE, I'm Running is far superior to anything here for me. I may try again later, but for now this CD goes back on the shelf.... way back.

[Sad Preacher]

perhaps the defining moment of YES's brilliant career....the best of YES.....

[MARS]

This is my favorite.

[BrianD]

After 91 votes, an average of 9.66

[Earl Grey]

It's simply the greatest YES album ever.

Back in the days of vinyl you'd test a sound system against three albums: 'Dark Side Of The Moon', 'Abbey Road' and 'Close To The Edge'.

How we did it, I still have to hear CTTE on a new stereo before I put my money down...

[relayerjim]

I gave it a 10. I never heard anything the sounded like this before or since in my life. It just blew be away! It sealed the deal so to speak as far as YES being a major part in my life..

[Faceintheplace]

A solid 10. The more I listen to it, the more I love it.

[Mc-Merc]

From my point of view, this is the best album of any band EVER and by far. Simply perfect. I prefer the live version of CttE on Yessongs, only because they play relentlessly.

[hailhail]

10/10

CTTE - YESSONGS
AND YOU AND I - ORCHESTRAL DVD (I cry even writing this )
KHATRU - Un-named bootleg

All better versions than the studio ones
I feel studio versions lack energy of live performances
of these tracks

[BrianD]

On January 7 2006 after 113 votes, CTTE rates 9.62

[Amy]

10 baby

(no explanation necessary)

[Dema]

10!!!!!!!!

[Rhayader]

It was through this album that i discovered Yes. There hasn't been a better album before or since nor do i think there ever will be. A perfect ten.

[Altres]

Above all others.

http://i1.tinypic.com/ngtzyc.jpg

Sometimes 10 just isn't enough.

Brian

[relayer_1]

I can't imagine how a "true" Yesfan could even think for a brief moment scoring this album with less than a "10" - not even Bo Derek comes close. This one would be among my choice of 3 that I would take to a deserted island. In Art terms, CTTE is the equivalent to the Sistine Chapel of Michelangelo or the Mona Lisa by Da Vinci.

Nuff said.

relayer 1

[BillGuitar]

"Juicy, well-balanced, with just a hint of curry."

"And Bruford thought: Yep, I've had enough. Time to get Fripped."

"You mean we have to play that in front of an audience, now?"

"These go to eleven."

TEN

(but we won't be able to get that last "push over the cliff")

[Ant-Lox]

I give it a 9 only because of Siberian Kahtru, take that away and the album is a solid 10.5!

Agreed .... I Just bought Close to the Edge and the title track is mind blowing, I've already heard "and You And I" on "Classic Yes" cd so i already loved that song, but the last track is okay, but not my favorite

[Bluebird71]

Siberian Khatru may well grow on you, Ant-Lox, you are after all still (enviously ;)) new to this amazing record... I had to hear the live version of SK on Yessongs before I fell truly in love with it. The instrumental passage (with sitar, harpsichord, you name it!) is one of my favourite instumental passages of all time.

[YesHut]

Ten

[heishere]

close to the edge is right where it says it is: one step further and you're surrounded by the mists of infinity...

[yesfannh]

Eleven!

[YESOLA]

The greatest Progressive Rock albums of all time: In the Court of the Crimson King/ Close to the Edge......yeah I'd say 10.

[tormatotork]

----e, oops, wrong thread

[rmig68]

9. 10 is Reserved for Relayer

[Purple Wolfhound]

A perfect 10. This album just runs so deeply inside of me...

I was just listening to the Rhino re-release last night and even the outtakes are fascinating. Especially the ending of the alternate And You And I - the beautiful, echoing vocals suddenly jarred by the blast of final instrumentation. It's one of those "surprise" Yes moments that takes you off guard - not unlike The Fish on Yessongs, when Jon's vocals come out of nowhere toward the end - woah!

[RobAdams]

CLOSE TO THE EDGE, is the absolute perfect Yes album. Each and every note was painstakingly put together in order to approximate the definitive collection of sounds and pitches neccessary to prove that Yes was a force to be reckoned with. It is an amazing creation.

CLOSE TO THE EDGE was the first Yes album that I ever really listened to. And Chris Squire captured me from the opening bass note.

[Hex]

10. A genuine masterpiece; no question.

[Dreama]

It's the best. Simply the best! :D

[J. Rocket Squirrel]

Ten. Like Relayer, this album delivers three masterpieces. Close to the Edge gives us not only some of the most original and innovative music in rock's history but the lyrics and vocals are dynamite. The same can be said of And You and I and Siberian Khatru. And You and I takes one on a dream journey, the music stimulating an imaginative landscape in one's mind and soul. Siberian Khatru is also a very consistent Yes song without weakness.

[bassplyr4001]

Definate 10 !!!!!!!

It was the first full YES album I ever owned, wore out the 8-track (LOL) 3 times

[francois]

10 ! the best album for me ! what a sound ! I love that sound 'cause we can hear all the instruments perfectly. Good compositions, good arrangements, good lyrics and a really good sound with good musicians. So ... the perfection !

[Squire*Fan725]

10....Definitely a 10!!

[DaveJB]

I agree, most definitely a 10! I played that record to death, or at least until it was worn out. So now I have a vinyl and CD version.

[Heathcliff]

It's musically very strong all the way through. There isnt a second of it that seems out of place, goes on too long, or doesnt work.

It's totally solid. The 3 pieces are different from each other yet sound cohesive on the album. It's pretty much perfect, really.

It's one of the best albums of that decade by anyone. It's a "10" all the way.

[Starless]

It's outside of rating ! Always on top ! Greatest masterpiece from Yes !!!
All three tracks are brilliantly thought and perfectly performed ! It's one of my favourite album at all.

[Faceintheplace]

A solid 10. Perfect from end to end.

[Mister_Cairo]

10² = 100. Three beautiful songs.

[Bugeyes]

A 10 from me too. But I've been having trouble lately with the begining of the title track. It sort of grates me like the tonal chaos in the war of Gates.

[Scottie]

A 10 from me too. But I've been having trouble lately with the begining of the title track. It sort of grates me like the tonal chaos in the war of Gates.

Be quiet
or turn down the volumn during that segment :winknudge

A 10

[The Whale]

9

I would say a 10 but I don't like the fact that they put out a 38 min record. Also I think that it is unfaire to compare other records to this one because if you take GFTO, Fragile, or even ........... wait here comes the hersay..... Talk! and take the three best songs from them you get masterpieces just like CTTE. CTTE is a gem because there is no filler no fluff.

[gathernear]

Close to the Edge is a perfect crystal, symmetrical, nothing out of place.

Relayer is the same crystal, smashed and reassembled.

WOW, Tim. Great observation.

[Trooper Jim]

Yes, another boring 10, I'm afraid. Yawn!

[Trooper Jim]

9

I would say a 10 but I don't like the fact that they put out a 38 min record.
Quality, not quantity!

[Mostly Harmless]

This is the finest studio album we have from the boys, IMHO.

[PhaseDance]

I'd have to vote either 1010B (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Binary_numeral_system) or 0AH (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hexadecimal) depending on what numeral system (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Numeral_system#Bases_used) we're using.

[RandyC]

A 10, one of the greatest albums ever!

[SST]

CTTE is a definate 10!
Three almost perfect songs. And You and I was the first Yessong I remember hearing, and got the whole Yes thing going for me.
STEVE

[CybrKhatru]

I voted "10" without a doubt. For me it's the best record Yes ever made.

Last weekend I burned my old vinyl LP onto CDR and we spun the disc on a long drive. It was the best it had sounded to either of us in a very long time.

I think now I'd have to change my rating to "20". :lmao:

--Matt

[marklovesyes]

"Close To The Edge" is a 10 even if you don't like it.

[SST]

Ctte Is Absolutely A 10. It Is Probably The Best Prog Album Ever! Not Only Did It Break All The Rules Of What A Rock Record Is, It Also Had 3 Perfect Songs. And You And I Was The First Yessong I Had Ever Heard, It Holds A Special Place In My Heart. I Never Get Tired Of It.
Peace, Steve


"it's A Billie Holiday, And I Know Your'e Closed" (doe/cervenka)

[smatt]

I think CTTE sucks... So I only gave it a 10 :lmao:

[BillGuitar]

Who would want a green album? Green?

It's GREEN, for cryin' out loud!

Yes set this album up brilliantly. By having the nature sounds fade in, you almost feel as if you are exploring a rainforest, and arrive at a lookout spot where you can see the inner spread of the misty eternal waterfall depicted by Roger Dean, off in the distance, through the dripping trees...

And to think I got all of that from a little icon posted on iTunes! Those really WERE good mushrooms we had for dinner! :lmao:

I appreciate it even more now that I can finally play Steve's opening solo. 10+

[smatt]

9

I would say a 10 but I don't like the fact that they put out a 38 min record. Also I think that it is unfaire to compare other records to this one because if you take GFTO, Fragile, or even ........... wait here comes the hersay..... Talk! and take the three best songs from them you get masterpieces just like CTTE. CTTE is a gem because there is no filler no fluff.


This is about as close as I'v eever come to giving you negetive rep Jeremie... "NO SOUP FOR YOU" :lmao:

[BillGuitar]

This is about as close as I'v eever come to giving you negetive rep Jeremie... "NO SOUP FOR YOU" :lmao:

"They forgot my bread!"

"Forget it, just let it go!" :lmao:

Jeramie has a good point. But apparently, no soup! :wavey:

[relayer4u]

9

I would say a 10 but I don't like the fact that they put out a 38 min record. Also I think that it is unfaire to compare other records to this one because if you take GFTO, Fragile, or even ........... wait here comes the hersay..... Talk! and take the three best songs from them you get masterpieces just like CTTE. CTTE is a gem because there is no filler no fluff.

Many of todays recordings would benefit greatly by having a 40 min time limit.

Imo the CD format forces many bands into commiting way too many half baked ideas to their sessions.

[smatt]

Many of todays recordings would benefit greatly by having a 40 min time limit.

Imo the CD format forces many bands into commiting way too many half baked ideas to their sessions.


:thinking: Tales certainly would've... But that's wnother story.... :lmao:

[Malcolm Birkett]

:thinking: Tales certainly would've... But that's wnother story.... :lmao:

Oh Jeez Smatt..I feel another difference of opinion coming on here..of maybe mindblowing proportions!
I just worship every bloody single second of every single side of Tales...I know, I know, ...I bloody well know Smatt... we agree to differ yet again.
No probs kidda.
In many ways that is what it is all about mein Freund!

[Malcolm Birkett]

Oh..sorry..off thread.
I tell you....I will post here..'cos I could write a bloody book about this LP and my life around it!

[sirlespaul]

10!

[south_side]

One of the truly great albums released by any band. Best album side-length track ever (and the other two tracks are pretty good too!). Unlike pieces on Tales and Relayer, which to me sound a bit disjointed in places, Close to the Edge goes through every movement with fluidity, cohesiveness and incredible dynamics, which is amazing considering it was literally edited together a couple of minutes at a time.

[Bradders]

Awesome.....every minute of both sides.
I do prefer the live versions of all three songs though on Yessongs.

[Simon B]

My name is, my name is, ....

[Scottie]

It was never worth the vinyl it was pressed upon.

Then even worse than that all that wasted plastic redoing it on CD

:lmao:

[Bob Barker.]

close to the edge is perfect

[yessound_chaser81]

Close to the Edge is Yes perfection, 10! (I'd give an 11, but that wasn't an option..)

[Ian B]

I couldn't rate it, in the same way as I coudn't rate my favourite sunset, or kiss, or whatever. It's one of those fundamental things that form the fabric of my life (man!).

Everything the band were attempting culminated in that album, and they've never bettered it. How can you improve on perfection?

The only track I'm not too keen on is Siberian Khatru, it always seemed to drag for me and I don't listen to it that much. I know; I'll start piling the wood around my feet, bring your own matches.....

And even so, it's one of the greatest albums ever recorded.

From Chris Welch's 'Close to the Edge':


In June I went to Advision Studios see the band at work on Close To The Edge. It was immediately apparent a great deal of stress was being gener­ated and outbursts of anarchy came not only from the drummer, but from Rick Wakeman and even Steve Howe. At the time I put this down to high spirits and suggested the band were suffering from an ailment known as `Studio Stupor'.<o:p></o:p>
Certainly Yes weren't about to put on a show of unanimity and con­formity. This was no polite interviewing session. This was the nitty gritty. It was also the best possible insight into the way band members interacted with each other. Here at first hand I could see them battle to put ideas into coherent shape and get them on tape. They were aided in their task by engineer Eddie Offord, now an official band member. Anybody who has ever watched an engineer having to spend anything up to eight or more hours at a stretch, trying to match tape edits, drop in solos, mix vocals, guitars, drums, basses and keyboards and keep a grip on reality could only sympathise with Offord's Herculean task. There can be few more mad­dening experiences than hearing the same piece, indeed the same few seconds of music over and over again, only to find that the completed `take' or mix doesn't satisfy any one member of the group at any given moment. Having various members of the group seizing control of the faders couldn't have helped either.<o:p></o:p>
Judging from the conversations at the time and the final verdicts given later, it seemed that only Jon Anderson and Steve Howe really knew what Close To The Edge was all about and only Chris Squire and Eddie Offord could pull it into shape. As for Rick and Bill - they seemed more like innocent bystanders.<o:p></o:p>
When I arrived at the studio the band were in the throes of cracking up. Bill was playing with a mountain of paper cups, hammering a precious hand-carved harpsichord and loudly announcing his ultimate aim of blow­ing up the studio. Not to be outdone Rick Wakeman wandered around mouthing silently, pretending to be dumb, while mixing soup and choco­late in the same cup, which he proceeded to feed to unsuspecting visitors.<o:p></o:p>
The dark and rather spooky studio had a large mixing console in the centre of the room, which would nowadays probably appear quite basic. The instruments were set up in separate rooms and it was clear the band weren't playing together as a unit, just contributing pieces to a vast jigsaw puzzle of sound that perhaps only Jon and Steve could visualise as a completed picture. Yes had been locked away in their dungeon for days. Shortly after I arrived to hear a preview of the completed sections, there was a dull thud as Eddie Offord fell to the floor. He had slumped asleep over the mixing desk, leaving music from the spinning tape deck blaring at an intolerable level.<o:p></o:p>
From the depths of the studio Bill Bruford wandered around playing tunelessly on a wooden North African flute. It was so irritating that normally mild mannered Steve Howe suggested that if he were to keep up this din, it would be better for everyone if he committed suicide. Bill then loudly proclaimed his boredom with proceedings and was still stomping around when Eddie roused himself sufficiently to play back one of the album tracks called `Total Mass Retain'.<o:p></o:p>
"What does `Total Mass Retain' mean!" protested Bill.<o:p></o:p>
"What's wrong with `Total Mass Retain'?" demanded Jon. "I had to think of something quickly." The name of the piece was only chosen after some argument and at the time I misheard the title which I thought was `Total Mass Return'.<o:p></o:p>
"Why not call it `Puke'?" asked Bill.<o:p></o:p>
Jon and Chris began singing their parts to the microphones, sounding strangled and out of tune when the backing track was faded out. "Turn around - Glider!" they roared. Out of context it didn't make much sense but Jon persevered. "Try again!" he said. His voice cracked and he failed to make the right notes.<o:p></o:p>
"This is the silly stage," said Bill pacing about in his clean white tee shirt, clearly wishing he was behind a kit with a pair of clean sticks.<o:p></o:p>
"Look, this is really hard work," said Jon getting red in the face. "I'm getting pains in my head."<o:p></o:p>
Who wrote these lyrics, I wondered?<o:p></o:p>
Chris Squire waved in the direction of the singer. "Jan Onderson on lyrics. Good old Jan!"<o:p></o:p>
"Our fifth album," mused Jon, remaining remarkably even-tempered despite the grumbles from the ranks. "I thought we'd only ever do two!"<o:p></o:p>
The sound of Close To The Edge booming from the speakers brought the band rushing to the control console. Steve, Rick, Jon and Bill began playing with the sliders on the control desk, suffocating the engineer in a tangled mass of arms and fingers. As the strains of the last few notes died away Bill Bruford ceased idly flicking paper cups at Eddie Offord and said, “Well, it’s a long way from <st1:place>West Side</st1:place> Story." Before I left the studio Eddie played me `And You and I' for the first time - ten minutes of stunning music which reached a shattering climax.<o:p></o:p>
"Play that ending again," said Steve "because you'll never hear it again. We've got to make some decisions about that one."<o:p></o:p>
Said Jon quietly as I prepared to return to the relative sanity of <st1:place>Soho</st1:place>'s rain swept streets, "We've got a long way to go yet with our music. Nobody is getting lazy and we're not resting on our laurels. In a couple of years, well it should be tremendous. We're only just beginning."<o:p></o:p>

[Wakey's #1 Fan]

Just one word: Masterpiece! I love it! I voted for 10 of course.

[Yes.2]

It like....stuck an icecold spoon into the heart of prog! :lmao:

[Yes.2]

REally though....It's just like a dish of Annetta's Creme Brulee(this one goes to 11)...

[MINDRIVE]

10
10
10
10

Oh, did I say 10

[illusion]

I gave it a 9. This is because despite the title track being one of the greatest pieces of music ever written, I'm not that keen on And You And I. I mean, its a great song, but not as great as the other two tracks.

[oliasdoug]

So very ironic.....I remember well the autumn of 1972 & hearing the album for the first time in my freshman year of college. Didn't quite know what to think on first listening. I remembered liking the pipe organ section of CTTE and all of And You & I, but the rest of it had to grow on me. Virtually the same reaction to Relayer...about the only parts I liked on first listening were the "Soon" section of TGOD, and the first half of To Be Over. It soon grew on me too, though. Eventually they both became Desert Island favorites. Both are just unbelievably great masterpieces. When Yes is good (which is virtually all the time), no one can even TOUCH them.

[chipperoo]

11........(not so obscure spinal tap reference)

[YesCarolinita]

I think CTTE sucks... So I only gave it a 10 :lmao:


http://content.sweetim.com/sim/cpie/emoticons/00020112.gif (http://www.sweetim.com/s.asp?im=gen&ref=10)

Yes, Indeed.... A 10!







http://content.sweetim.com/tbsig/sig.asp?img=ad1 (http://www.sweetim.com/s.asp?im=gen&ref=12)

[yesanneyes]

With every listen, I enjoy it more. And I've always been in love with it. I still can't get over the piece as a whole. It's like a miracle.

[mageestout]

This album goes to 11

Well why don't you rate 9 as a high LP and if you think its even better than that make 10 the highest

We're talking about YES. This album is an 11

I guess it would be an 11.5 if they included LICK MY LOVE PUMP as a bonus track

Well... yeah

[Jackaranda]

Oh, it's Ok I guess......

[Mostly Harmless]

Hi Jack!

:wavey:

[Scooty]

Perfection..10

[Steve Mahoney]

This maybe the Ultimate Yes album.
10 out of 10/
What can you say,It has influenced a lot bands that came after.

[BrianD]

On July 1 2008 after 255 votes, average 9.68

[Robbie693]

Possibly Yes' finest hour, certainly a Prog Rock classic

[TOBYSGRAPHICGOKART]

There was no option for an 11,so I had to be content with just a 10.

[Meng]

If 9.5 had been available ...

I voted 9 because I have yet to hear the "perfect" album, by Yes or anyone else. CTTE would be the closest.

[bob_32_116]

I gave it 9/10. I find some of the jamming on the title track is a bit prolonged, but only a bit, and when Rick Wakeman comes in with the organ it's magnificent.