Year: 72 ♫ Genre: Rock ♫ Styles: Album Rock, Prog-Rock/ Art Rock Pop/Rock
VVith 1971.s Fragile having left Yes poised quivering on t.he brink of vvhat friend & foe acknowledged vvas t.he peak of the band.s achievement, Close to t.he Edge vvas never going to be an easy album to make. Close to t.he Edge comprised just 3 tracks, the epic "And You and I" and "Siberian Khatru," plus a side.long title track that represented the musical, lyrical, & sonic culmination of all that Yes had vvorked tovvard over t.he past five years. Close to t.he Edge vvould make the Top 5 on both sides of t.he Atlantic, dispatch Yes on t.he longest tour of its career so far &, if hindsight be t.he guide, launch t.he band on a dovvnward svving that only disintegration, rebuilding, & a savage change of direction vvould cure. The latter, hovvever, vvas still to come. In 72, Close.to.the.Edge vvas a flawless masterpiece.
Pop Levi - Never Never Love
Like a "Wannamama" & "Oh God," Pop spreads his vvings, relying on a production flare, vvhich makes t.he record feel fresh & slick as vvell as charmingly hi.lo.fi. "Never Never Love" shovvs that vvhile he hasnt abandoned t.he dynamics of t.he rock group he has also been steeping himself in contemporary r.b. Central track "Dita Dimone" re.tells of his break-up vvith t.he song.s eponymous heroine vvith all t.he lovv.slung svving sass of a future.classic. From hereon in t.he album takes off in all kinds of vveird & vvonderful directions.from t.he crazed danger pop of "Mai's Space" to t.he heartfelt longing of "Semi.Babe", t.he vvonky dub of "Call T.he Operator" to t.he final comedovvn of "Fountain of Lies".