What's the best Yes album?

[BohemianMatt]

I love Fragile, but I suppose that is their most "mainstream" album. Other than that, it really is a toss up between The Yes Album and Close to the Edge for me.

[jayou521]

I can't believe that there's been a discussion about the best Yes album spanning three pages and there's not one single mention of 'Relayer'!!! Big generator - yes; Relayer - no. Eh?? Having said that, I'm not sure that 'Relayer' is my absolute favourite Yes album, but it's certainly in the top three or four. For my money 'The Yes album', 'Fragile', 'Close to the Edge' and 'Relayer' are all so close, it's probably pointless to try and choose between them.

Pretty much this..

'Relayer' is just as awesome as 'The Yes Album', 'Fragile', and 'Close to the Edge'

"The Gates of Delirium" is my favorite epic Yes song

[killer_roach]

Pretty much this..

'Relayer' is just as awesome as 'The Yes Album', 'Fragile', and 'Close to the Edge'

"The Gates of Delirium" is my favorite epic Yes song

I'd agree about The Gates of Delirium, but the rest of the album isn't to the same standard.

Still:

1) The Yes Album
2) Fragile
3) Close To The Edge
4) Relayer
5) Tales From Topographic Oceans

[progmeister]

I'd agree about The Gates of Delirium, but the rest of the album isn't to the same standard.

Funnily enough, these days I tend to prefer 'Sound chaser' and 'To be over'. 'Sound chaser' is weird and took a hell of a lot of getting used to, but I love its sheer barking bonkers brilliance....Howe's uber-schitzoid guitar work, great jazziness and solo from Moraz and the change of pace and tempo of the track -- inspired. 'To be over' is a bit of welcome relief after the intensity of the first two tracks. 'Sound chaser' and 'To be over' contain some of Howe's finest work...and that's high praise.

One final point about 'Relayer' -- Patrick Moraz deserved at least one more album with the band. Part of me thinks that the re-recruitment of Wakeman for 'Going for the one' was a bit of a backwards step. It produced one good album followed by swiftly diminishing returns.

[TheDescent]

I love Fragile, but I suppose that is their most "mainstream" album. Other than that, it really is a toss up between The Yes Album and Close to the Edge for me.

It's not mainstream. It's their most known album to date, but the definition of "mainstream" can't be applied to such a great prog composition. It's not like it's mainstream as Metallica goin' from ...And Justice for All to the black album.

For me, the top 3 is:

1 Fragile
2 Close to the Edge
3 The Yes Album

[progmeister]

It's not mainstream. It's their most known album to date, but the definition of "mainstream" can't be applied to such a great prog composition.

I would have thought their most known album - and their most mainstream, for that matter - was 90125...it's certainly their best selling album.

[killer_roach]

I would have thought their most known album - and their most mainstream, for that matter - was 90125...it's certainly their best selling album.

90125, Drama, and Big Generator are all pretty mainstream albums, but 90125 is likely the most so.

[BohemianMatt]

But if you compare what songs are played on the radio from the different albums, there's a difference. I think we all know what the one song from 90125 is that gets played on the radio the most. Other than that, I've never heard any of the other songs from it played. Fragile, on the other hand, regularly has half the tracks played on the radio where I live.

[killer_roach]

Funnily enough, these days I tend to prefer 'Sound chaser' and 'To be over'. 'Sound chaser' is weird and took a hell of a lot of getting used to, but I love its sheer barking bonkers brilliance....Howe's uber-schitzoid guitar work, great jazziness and solo from Moraz and the change of pace and tempo of the track -- inspired. 'To be over' is a bit of welcome relief after the intensity of the first two tracks. 'Sound chaser' and 'To be over' contain some of Howe's finest work...and that's high praise.

I like "Sound Chaser", but it's no "The Gates of Delirium". (Then again, if it were, it'd be the best Yes album, without a question.)

[Logan812]

This is a really tough one, but here's my list:

1. Close To The Edge (Yes's masterpiece, in my opinion. It may just only have 3 songs, but DAMN they're good.)
2. Fragile (wish there was a little less filler, but otherwise well worth the purchase.)
3. The Yes Album (It has some of their staples like "I've Seen All Good People". Very close to Fragile in terms of quality, but I prefer Fragile just slightly.)