Album of the Day

Yes were among the bands that defined progressive rock in the 1970s, and FRAGILE is the album on which the U.K. quintet came of age. The first longplayer with the classic lineup of singer Jon Anderson, guitarist Steve Howe, bassist Chris Squire, keyboardist Rick Wakeman and drummer Bill Bruford (and the first to feature Roger Dean's fantastical cover art), the 1971 Atlantic release serves as a showcase for these virtuoso performers, with each member calling the shots on one track plus four group collaborations. The approach proved remarkably effective; the nine songs include such favorites as “Roundabout” and “Long Distance Runaround,” and the collection quickly rose into the U.S. Top 10 on its way to double-platinum status. Yes' masterpiece shines even brighter in Rhino's Deluxe Edition, which adds the band's cover of “America” and an unreleased early rough mix of “Roundabout” as bonus tracks, and today we'll cue up FRAGILE again in honor of Howe's birthday.