This was the first Yes album I bought when I was in High School and it was new. The sound is as good as the original album. I really don't care for the extra songs, but they don't detract from the rest of the album in any way, so I'm ok with it. Get this one if you liked Yes.

This is the GREATEST album! It has it all: hard hitting rock, tempo changes, soft rock, classical, percussion, dancing tunes, kick back and just take it all in. Of course, true to YES form, the lyrics, if analyzed, don't make a lot of sense but they sure do work. Hard to believe that I first listened to it 30 years ago.

"Fragile" is the album that would put the band on the map and turn them into arena headliners. The single "Roundabout" would crack the top 20 and has remained a classic rock staple for the last 35 years. With it's strange lyrics about "mountains coming out of the sky", it remains one of the more unique hit singles of the 70's. Another lineup change was in the works for "Fragile" with original Keyboard player Tony Kaye leaving and a man who is considered one of the great rock keyboardists of all time, Rick Wakeman joining the band. For many this is the classic lineup of Yes, and the version of the band that would produce what many fans consider their all time best material. "Fragile" is broken up into full band songs and solo pieces by the individual musicians. Wakeman contributes "Cans And Brahms", drummer Bill Bruford pens "Five Per Cent For Nothing", guitarist Steve Howe showcases his acoustic side on "Mood For A Day", vocalist John Anderson throws in the whimsical "We Have Heaven" and bassist Chris Squire adds his signature tune "The Fish". "Mood For A Day" and "The Fish" have remained concert staples to this day giving both Howe and Squire their lengthy solo spots at each Yes concert. The band compositions are all solid with "Roundabout", "South Side Of The Sky", "Long Distance Runaround", and "Heart Of The Sunrise" all considered classic Yes tracks and indeed they are all great. In many ways "Fragile" was the album that really catapulted Yes into superstars as instrumentally and vocally they had very few peers in the business at the time. This one is an essential Yes album in my opinion.

Fragile (1972) was the first Yes album to feature the now famous artwork of Roger Dean (his art would grace Yes' album covers for the next 30 years). It's the second album Yes recorded with guitarist Steve Howe, and their first with keyboard wizard Rick Wakeman. The Yes concept and sound really came into full focus with this album, and their trademark sonic perfection was smoothly achieved in some of Fragile's best moments.

The album begins with the incredible Roundabout, a Yes multi-part masterwork that still remains their most popular song today. It's an impressive exercise in artistic creativity, and a brilliant example of progressive rock music perfection. South Side Of The Sky is excellent sci-fi action guitar riff rock with some nice keyboard work and vocal harmonies. Long Distance Runaround is another one of Yes' greatest creations, and an example of the Yes formula at it's peak. The song is melodramatic and melodious perfection as it imaginatively describes a relationship that has ended too soon.

Cold summer listening
Hot color melting the anger to stone
I still remember the dream there
I still remember the time you said goodbye
Did we really tell lies?
Letting in the sunshine
Did we really count to one hundred?

There are four "solo" pieces on Fragile, and bassist Chris Squire's excellent instrumental The Fish (Schindleria Praematurus) features his famously powerful and inventive bass lines. Rick Wakeman arranges Cans And Brahms, a nice classical piano piece that's accompanied by his own keyboards, while drummer Bill Bruford highlights his skills on the short Five Per Cent For Nothing. Steve Howe's classical guitar solo Mood For A Day is also enjoyable, and he still plays it at Yes concerts today. I like Jon Anderson's We Have Heaven, too. He sings all of the vocal parts, and it's an interesting and entertaining piece of music.

The Yes classic, Heart Of The Sunrise, closes the original album, and it's a wonderfully sweeping and powerfully emotional epic. It's regarded by many as the most perfect song Yes has ever done, and they just might be right. Anderson's compelling angelic vocal performance soars as he sings of loneliness and isolation in the crowded city.

Love comes to you then after
Dream on...on to the heart of the sunrise
Sharp - distance
How can the sun with it's arms all around me
Sharp - distance
How can the wind with so many around me
...I feel lost in the city

There are two bonus tracks including Yes' fantastic 10:33 minute version of Simon And Garfunkel's America. It's powerful, and Anderson's vocal performance takes the song to new heights. An early rough mix of Roundabout is also included.

Fragile is certainly one of Yes' best albums, and a must-have for fans. It contains some of their greatest work, and is a staple of the grand "Classic Yes" period. It's also not a bad place to start with Yes if you want more than a compilation. An excellent album by one of my favorite bands.

If your a Yes fan you already have this album, but if you are just getting into Yes or just cheking out new music, BUY THIS ALBUM, one of my all time favorites. Every song incredible and the album makeup is fantastic!