Yes: The British Band that Altered Progressive Rock

Debuting in 1969, the band, Yes, has created 11 critically acclaimed albums and they are known for making progressive rock music (prog. rock). They have managed to stay popular throughout many years because of their timeless sound and performances. One of their most popular albums “Close To The Edge”, was written in the early 70s and was the best-selling album they would ever release. It was the band’s fifth studio album they had released and would sell over one million copies, making Yes one of the most successful British bands in history. Progressive rock, also called art rock or classical rock, focused more on the entire album’s format. Progressive rock has more poetic lyrics that deal with more conceptual themes. It’s inspired by different languages from other kinds of music like 19th-century classical music and jazz theory. It also includes long solos and dedication to things like technical skills.

Joshua Wurz, a drummer in a band of his own, talked about the Yes album and stated, “This album is very significant to my development as a musician.” Josh and his respective bandmates cover this album frequently, so he really appreciates the work put into it. When asked about the characteristics of the album and what was challenging he said, “It requires a lot more concentration than other styles of music .” When things like different time signatures come into play it really changes how someone performs a song. He also highlighted that because he is performing these songs he is extra critical of himself and wants to make sure everything sounds perfect. Josh also said that he compares Yes’ music to other bands but not in a way of criticism, but more in a way of appreciation, comparing the two different kinds of music, which makes “Close To The Edge” stand out even more than it usually does. Wurz also said, “I recognize that no other artist is quite like Yes.” Telling us just how different Yes and this album really is.

Christian Galluci, Yes’ bass player also shared some feelings about the album and progressive rock. He mentioned that “Some of my favorite bands are named in this genre,” and talked about how he finds the entire genre of music endlessly interesting to listen to. Galluci says that prog. rock is, “The ultimate combination of classical jazz, country, and rock. When asked more specifically about the band Galluci also commented, “I’ve been a huge fan of the band years…and it has made me the musician I am today.” Galluci also highlighted the European tour that the band will be going on in commemoration of the 51st anniversary of the band. Galluci also said that “Along with the tour and fan club stuff we will also be doing some recording with Jon Anderson”. Galluci is excited about this because there will be new music to try out, and it’s also always fun to work with someone like Anderson. He said Anderson is so great to work with because he is such a wonderful person who loves creating music and is always doing just that. Galluci also enjoys writing and recording with Anderson because he has looked up to him for so long.

“Close To The Edge” as an album features three songs, and each song ranges from eight to 20 minutes. The first song titled, “Close To The Edge”, is 18 minutes and 57 seconds long. The song begins with a very nature-esque vibe with birds chirping and the sounds of water moving. It then moves into the more rhythmic and typical music part of it. The next 16 minutes are filled with many different time changes and solos, as well as some vocals, making the song both really interesting and confusing. This style allows the listener to stay engaged with the music. The second song titled, “And You And I”, is 10 minutes and 12 seconds long. It starts out with an acoustic guitar and, just like the first song, gets louder and more exciting as the song progresses. Some people say that there is an alternate meaning to the lyrics in the song, arguing that the band is talking about activism and environmentalism but ultimately it is up to the listener to decide. The last song titled, “Siberian Khatru”, is the shortest song on the album at eight minutes and 56 seconds. The title of this song means winter or as you wish. They chose this title because the song is about unity among different cultures. This song features a lot of keyboard and it is really well done. This song has lyrics as well that go along with the vibe of the rest of the song. Although it is hard to understand exactly what he is singing about, the lyrics and words seem to move perfectly with the instruments played in the song.

This album shows a whole different side of music and blends many different genres of music together. The band Yes as a whole brings prog. rock to an audience and does a good job of that with this album. The album features three long songs with many long solos, typical of many prog. rock songs. This album was one of their best-selling and made them one of the most popular British bands in today’s world. Hearing the perspective of two band members from two different bands lets us see the world of music a little bit more and helps us understand the mechanics of this album even more. With many different instruments and lyrics, the album really takes a mind of its own, creating a really cool effect that is enjoyed by many.

Sources:
Paul Green Rock Academy, https://www.paulgreenrock.com/. Accessed 30 March 2023.
“About.” Jon Anderson, https://www.jonanderson.com/about.html. Accessed 30 March 2023.
Horn, Trevor, and Geoff Downes. “WE ARE YES – YES.” Yes, 20 February 2023, https://www.yesworld.com/we-are-yes/. Accessed 28 March 2023.
Kikuchi, Isao, et al. “Close To The Edge – YES.” Yes, 31 May 2022, https://www.yesworld.com/discography/close-to-the-edge/. Accessed 28 March 2023.