What's the best Yes album?

[SputnikDX]

I need to know. Please.

[JukeBoxHero]

That depends, I think the overall opinion of Yes is that Fragile is their best album while I be the one to disagree.

[SputnikDX]

Well, this is a thread for your opinion.

I've been scoundering (should be a word) YouTube videos of them by some great user who posts a lot of their vids, and listened to Heart of the Sunrise from Yessongs. Needless to say, my mind was completely blown when I found out it was live, so I might get that album. Thoughts?

[a21schizoidman]

1. Close to the Edge
2. The Yes Album
3. Fragile

[Meatwad555]

1. Close to the Edge
2. The Yes Album
3. Fragile

What he said.

Even though Close to the Edge only has three songs, it is still awesome.

[SputnikDX]

What he said.

Even though Close to the Edge only has three songs, it is still awesome.

Oh wow, an 18 minute song followed by 18 minutes separated into 2 tracks. Sounds outstanding, I must have it.

That's pretty much all the convincing I need.

[Lango32]

'Yessongs' may well be the best live album ever recorded. I own all the Yes albums and whilst I believe 'Close to the Edge' to be the best studio album 'Yessongs' might well prove to be the best overall representation of their work. Several of the tracks on 'Yessongs' are performed better live than on the original albums as they are looser and more penetrating with the atmosphere of the crowd adding an extra edge without distracting from the power of the performance (which live albums often do). So in answer to the original question I would say:
1) Yessongs
2) Close to the Edge
3) The Yes Album
4) Fragile

[Dadasaurus Rex]

In terms of Classic Yes...Close to the Edge, can't beat it
2nd gen Yes - 90125, A lot of diversity and a couple of gems....Hearts is really underplayed and under-rated.

[franticfish]

Just get Close to the Edge.
One of my favorite prog albums.

[SputnikDX]

Just get Close to the Edge.
One of my favorite prog albums.

I got Close to the Edge and Fragile.

Roundabout I can't get out of my head. The rest of the songs need more listening.
As for Close to the Edge, the actual song itself sits a little strangely with me. I absolutely love most of it, especially the "I get up, I get down" parts, but the "Down at the end, round by the corner" part just irks me. I may just need to put in more listening so it grows on me, but the whole tuning of the vocals at that part just seems off, not to mention that lyric just makes me cringe.

Otherwise, I really like Yes, and I'll likely get Yessongs next.