Guybrush

You could of course do that, but don't forget Close to the Edge. If you ask me, it is the best prog rock album in history and absolutely amazing. Get it while you remember it, then you won't forget to pick it up when you're done with the more obscure stuff ..

Before you do listen to Close to the Edge, you might wanna read a review so you know what to expect. Maybe someone on MB has reviewed it.

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Mirrorball95

Alrite mate thanks very much, have jotted down and will probably buy both when I get paid tomorrow.
Also when it comes to Prog Rock I would have thought that Rush were the definitive band of the genre. I have found it interesting however that Yes are so popular. I only have one album (The Yes Album) which I think is their main one. When I listen to them though I find them pretty similar to Rush.
As for reading up on albums I just do it on Wikipedia; not always though its sometimes good to do what I call 'blind' buying.
Many of the bands/artists I have gotten into have just been random buys from amazon marketplace.

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boo boo

Rush and Pink Floyd are more well known today overall, they have the most appeal to classic rock fans, and unlike other prog bands they get a lot of radio play. Though old school Yes does get radio play from time to time.

While they're not as popular Floyd and Rush are now, they used to be more popular than both of them. Starting with The Yes Album, Yes were the most popular progressive rock band in the early 70s, they helped the genre break into the mainstream, after them Jethro Tull and ELP also got really popular, even bands like Gentle Giant and Van Der Graaf Generator enjoyed some mainstream success during that period, Genesis were not as popular with the media at that time but they made up for it with a cult following and a rapidly growing influence.

It wasn't until the mid 70s after prog's mainstream popularity was waning that Pink Floyd and Rush became mainstream bands themselves, they kept prog alive for the late 70s when the other bands careers were reaching a dead end, both because the media was now focusing on punk but also because their music was declining in quality. Tormato was such a failure that it lead to Anderson and Wakeman leaving the band, and that eventually led to Yes's transformation into an 80s pop group when Trevor Horn got involved with the band.

And yeah I get the Rush comparisons quite often, Yes had a good deal of influence on them.

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khfreek

I chose the rarely picked Yes Album. I can't deny CttE and Fragile's influence, but besides Roundabout and a few moments on CttE I can't say I liked where they were going/went.

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crash_override

I agree, Rush got me into progressive music single-handedly. I still listen to them religously to this day. As well as Yes, defianately two of my most personally influencial bands.

I do have to say however, I have so much more respect for Rush than Yes just because they were able to play all these years with the same lineup (minus the first album which was pre-Neil Peart). And grow and evolve as a group the way they did. There is definately something to be said about that.
I agree that Yes did have large influence on Rush.

You definately have to credit PF and Yes for launching prog into mainstream in the early 70's.

Mirrorball95

Alright Ive just bought the Yes albums 'Close To The Edge', 'Time & Word' & 'Roundabout (Live Album)'.
Should hopefully get them in next couple of days so will let you know how I get on.
Also thanks for recommendations.

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boo boo

What are your thoughts so far?

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Neapolitan

Close To The Edge, it has my favorite line-up:
Chris Squire - bass (5th album w/Yes)
Jon Anderson - vocals (5th album w/Yes)
Bill Bruford - drums, percussions (5th album w/Yes, leaves Yes for King Crimson)
Steve Howe - guitar and an assortment of other instruments (3rd album w/Yes)
Rick Wakeman - Keyboard (2nd album w/Yes)
Eddie Offord - Producer (3rd album as producer)

boo boo

Actually it's his second, Fragile was his first.

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Guybrush

I don't see how there can be a contest .. If there's anything I've heard that approaches the perfect prog album, it's Close to the Edge.

It starts with the "birth" of the title track which is a bit random and if it's your first time, you're not into prog or you're simply not patient, the album starts with the least accessible bits first. It goes on for 3 minutes or so and that might put some people off. In my own review, I suggested people new to prog/Yes try out the track "And You And I" first simply because like the other two, it's awesome, but I think it's the most accessible. Title track is my favourite though.

Fragile is good and so is the Yes album, don't get me wrong .. but they don't blow me away like Close to the Edge. If there's a problem with Close to the Edge, it's that I've heard it too many times.

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