what about "Fragile" as an album

[Mr. Holland]

I've always loved this album. When i see other fans talking about the greatest Yes albums, this album almost never gets mentioned. Strange in my opnion, because first of all this is the album Rick (God on keyboards!) came to the band an also it's a unique display of their talent as a band aswell as individual musicians. It includes two alltime Yes Classics, Roundabout and Heart of the Sunrise. So in my opnion this one is in the top 3 of greatest Yes albums!!

[Ryan]

Its a great album, but yes was just getting started at this point.

[Bluetailfly]

The Yes Album, Fragile, and Close To The Edge are the best three Yes albums I think. Take your pick. They are all three very different, yet as a group I think they represent YES at their best. Fragile also made an impact with the Roger Dean cover as well.

[MisterBaron]

I always thought the main problem with Fragile initially was that it was too short. Other than Roundabout, SSOTS, Long Distance Runaround, and Heart of the Sunrise, the rest were experimental pieces which were good, but not enough to really fill an album (except the fantastic Mood for a Day). However, I think the Rhino remaster with America added on it makes Fragile truly complete. They should have put America on there in the first place!

[yessongs72]

I always thought the main problem with Fragile initially was that it was too short. Other than Roundabout, SSOTS, Long Distance Runaround, and Heart of the Sunrise, the rest were experimental pieces which were good, but not enough to really fill an album (except the fantastic Mood for a Day). However, I think the Rhino remaster with America added on it makes Fragile truly complete. They should have put America on there in the first place!

OMG,you forgot The Fish.And America,this song doesn't fit Fragile,it barely makes it worthy od yesteryears.I do like some remakes,but they really blotched Simon and Garfunkles version.S&G,shorter yeah,heart and emotion,yes.Kick butt yes,and kicks butt better than S&G,IMHO.

[Gabriel]

Its not that consistant with all the little breaks for the small songs but I think that its a great album nonetheless with some great songs. What they do have is some quality songs, even if there are not that many compared to TYA and CTTE.

[Orbert]

Fragile still works for me as an album because it was my first, and before the big epics really started flowing out. It's a collection of songs not unlike its predecessors, and is actually cooler IMO because of the individual focus of each of the shorter tracks. When CttE came out, I just went "Whoa!" and then came the monster years, but that never lessened Fragile to me. It's "short" if you only consider the four band tunes, but I have never thought of it that way. There are nine tracks on the album, always have been. (Of course the Rhinomaster changes all that, but you know what I mean.)

Orbert

[Dantalion Rides Again]

The Yes Album, Fragile, and Close To The Edge are the best three Yes albums I think. Take your pick. They are all three very different, yet as a group I think they represent YES at their best. Fragile also made an impact with the Roger Dean cover as well.

Couldn't agree more.

It's like the Great Holy Yes Trilogy.

Quintessential.

Fragile was my first Yes album and maybe deep down it's really my favorite one of all.

[eklektikmuzk]

Well, seeing how until i actually heard this album in full i was always antiyes for whatever reason, but after listyening to this album which my dad (who is an avid avid avid yes fan since he was a teenager, gavee me the album. I find it absolutely breatjhtakingly beautiful.

[Amy]

Well, seeing how until i actually heard this album in full i was always antiyes for whatever reason, but after listyening to this album which my dad (who is an avid avid avid yes fan since he was a teenager, gavee me the album. I find it absolutely breatjhtakingly beautiful.
Welcome to the site!
May this be only the first Yes album of many that you grow to love!

[Nellsalot]

Right on about the Yes trilogy, I've always viewed it that way (TYA, Fragile and CTTE being the best, most important albums). Fragile is great but for some reason the inconsistent flow with all the little tracks kind of stuck in my head and I don't give it enough credit. But it does deserve more appreciation as an album, it really was the defining point for the classic Yes sound.

[Bo Locks]

Its a great album, but yes was just getting started at this point.

Err, no. Yes was just getting started roundabout Yes in 1969. What you mean is roundabout Close To The Edge Yes was just getting started creating 20 minute eeepics. Of course I could say roundabout Relayer Yes was just getting started not doing 20 minute eeepics.

From Yes to Time And A Word to The Yes Album to Fragile are the changes that show the growth of something special. With the flowering of Fragile you know you've got a world changer in your ears.

Fragile is their most important album. Everything else follows it. It may build upon it, but for sheer invention everything else follows it.

[Soundchaser148]

Yes, Fragile is one mighty fine album! It was cool how they performed almost the entire record when I saw them in London in 2003. All the group songs are excellent and I go along with Don (Yessongs72) - and not for the first time! - when he makes mention of Chris's wonderous solo piece 'Fish.' I have loved every time he has played it live. I get a real kick out of the part where he goes faster and faster! All the solo pieces are fine, actually. Although as well as the list of albums mentioned here, I still rate Tales, Relayer and Going for the One right up there. In fact I rate Tales and CTTE as neck and neck for me as far as sheer sublime brilliance goes from this amazing band called YES!

Mark

[the'YES'kid]

If somebody asked me
"hey, I'd like to try Yes. What album should I buy?"

I would definitelly say "Fragile".

even though Classic Yes is a great, yet quick compilation, I never recommend compilations.

[GaryC]

Two classic tracks ? How about "South Side of the Sky" and "Long Distance Runaround" as well ?

[Mr. Holland]

Two classic tracks ? How about "South Side of the Sky" and "Long Distance Runaround" as well ?

I didn't have a clue what I was talking about back in 2002, did I?... :D

[ndselwood]

Two classic tracks ? How about "South Side of the Sky" and "Long Distance Runaround" as well ?

Good point Gary - and welcome to the site.

Fragile would be my favourite Yes album if CTTE didn't win that by a sharp distance for me !!

Its difficult to criticise the albums from this period in their creativity and groundbreaking wonderfulness !! Fragile, CTTE, TFTO, Relayer....gotta be the best and most consistent releases of any major prog band IMHO although early Genesis is pretty cool too (Foxtrot, Nursery Cryme, Selling England and Lamb) - Yes get it for me.

Nigel

[eklektikmuzk]

Welcome to the site!
May this be only the first Yes album of many that you grow to love!
THANK YOU. It actually was. Now all i can do is listen to Fragile Closer to the edge, and the yesyears. I need to get my dad on this forum. he has been a dedicated yes fan since his early teens.

[rahtreelimbs]

I think that all 3 albums: The Yes Album, Fragile and Close To The Edge cannot be separated. They show a clear growth in the band with the best members. I am a drummer and Bill Bruford was my first big influence. Alan White is heavier than Bill but IMO lacks the creativity in the early years.