------------------------------------------------------- APRIL 1972 ------------------------------------------------------- Source: Circus Magazine -- Archived at SuperSeventies http://www.superseventies.com/yes2.html Yes: Fragile By Ed Kelleher It was beginning to look as if Yes would never achieve the kind of popularity in America which is already theirs in England. But happily that situation has changed, and now this extremely tight quintet has really broken through on this side of the ocean. Despite the title, there is nothing pecarious about the music contained here. This is granite-hard stuff, polished to the utmost and consistently innovative. Each of the Yes-men contributes a specific element to a total sound which swirls, dips and climbs with unflagging intensity. Take "Cans and Brahms" for example. There each musician takes a part normally assigned to an entire orchestra section, and the result is an exciting adaptation of an extract from Brahms' 4th Symphony in E Minor. If that sounds weighty, it's not. At the other end of the spectrum and coming almost as a complete surprise in the midst of side two is "Mood For A Day," a delightful solo piece by guitarist Steve Howe. With its medieval flavor and elusive air, it is quietly assertive and as involving as the more explosive tracks -- one of which comes directly on its heels. The group methodically structures their instrumental layers -- Chris Squire's bass, Bill Bruford's percussion, Howe's guitar and Rick Wakeman's keyboards -- topping them off with the vocals of Jon Anderson. It can truly be said that Jon uses his voice like a musical instrument... but more than that, like an electronic instrument. All of the Yes albums are of high quality, but Fragile is unquestionably their most cohesive and mettlesome undertaking ever. Close Window YesInThePress.com For site comments, inquiries, corrections, or additions, contact yitp@yesservices.com