Xiekitchen,
You post made me pull out my copy of "Close to the Edge" today. After a thorough cleaning on the machine, you're right: HARSH! However, the emotional ties to my youth associated with that album, seeing them live on the tour supporting that album, made listening to it bearable. How I wish someone would get a hold of the tapes, and reissue that thing in 180 - 200g vinyl.
You post made me pull out my copy of "Close to the Edge" today. After a thorough cleaning on the machine, you're right: HARSH! However, the emotional ties to my youth associated with that album, seeing them live on the tour supporting that album, made listening to it bearable. How I wish someone would get a hold of the tapes, and reissue that thing in 180 - 200g vinyl.