Close to the Edge

Album Notes & Community Reviews

A defining work of progressive rock, 'Close to the Edge' is structured around its 18-minute, four-part title track, a composition of significant complexity with lyrical themes drawn from Hermann Hesse's novel *Siddhartha*. Producer Eddy Offord's studio techniques captured the band's intricate and dynamic performances, from the layered soundscapes of the title track to the folk-inspired 'And You and I' and the direct rock of 'Siberian Khatru'. A major commercial success, the album is also notable as the final studio recording with original drummer Bill Bruford, whose departure after the arduous sessions marked a pivotal moment in the band's history.