Is "Close To The Edge" rock's greatest achievement?

I and many of my music loving friends have been discussing and debating this for many years. Many music critics have debated the same issue.
I realize that it is very subjective but I have come to the conclusion that the piece Close to the Edge by Yes, has to at least be in the top five of the greatest musical achievements/compositions in rock music since it's beginnings in the fifties.

I could list the many reasons why but would like to see what other members think. If you think it is junk that is OK but if you agree, I would like to hear why you think it is one of the greatest.

 

No, that would be "Dark Side Of The Moon".

 

By golly you picked the other one in the top five IMHO.

Keep in mind that you refer to an album..I refer to the piece.

 

If it is I must not like rock music.

 

Good, strong album? Yes. Rock's greatest achievement? Not even close.

 

No, that would be "Hound Dog" b/w "Don't Be Cruel."

 

Hell no.

 

I'm a big Yes fan but rock's greatest achivement is and will remain "Louie Louie."

 

A song I love but greatest achievement? Why?

 

It's an ok album but I wouldn't say it's the greatest. This is all an opinion and in my opinion Blue Oyster Cult's Secret Treaties would be in the top 5 but I'm sure 99% of you would disagree. I would say Close to The Edge would be in my top 50 though

 

Keep in mind I mean piece of music ...not album.

 

No. Not in my top 50.

 

It could be.

I'll tell you what isn't rocks greatest achievement......the rock and roll hall of fame.

 

Has the OP not heard Taylor Swift's latest cd?

 

The correct answer is "no".

 

Leadbelly and his Ampex tape recordings. The combination of the artist and the medium was the start of something completely different.
Les Paul's multlayered tape recordings from the 40s deserve a mention too.

 

Not in my top 200....

 

Amen to that brother.

 

No but I tell you what, if she promised to visit my home in person I would put her album to the top of the heap..even over Elvis.

 

Oh haha sorry, someone mentioned Dark Side of The Moon so I supossed you must be talking about Close To The Edge the album as well

 

I dig ya. However, there are a few songs on that album that could qualify.

 

I'm a big Yes fan myself and have seen them many times going back to the Relayer tour. CTTE certainly is/was an ambitious piece for a "rock band." But to call it rock's "greatest achievement," well, I don't know. What about "three chords, a guitar, and the truth?"

 

Maybe Yes's greatest achievement.

 

I actually prefer the two songs on side two of the album. I wouldn't want to try to single out anything as rock's greatest achievement, but to me "And You And I" is Yes's greatest achievement.

 

I agree. Many folk I know who love it say the same thing..it was the most ambitious. However, there are those that think it is both the most ambitious and the greatest at least when it comes to prog rock. IMHO it is one of the greatest in all of rock music.