RELAYER

Yet another wonderful and amazing Yes album. I wouldn't really say it is their best, but it is a great one nonetheless. What really separates this album with all of their previous albums is the absence of the more classical-minded Rick Wakeman and the (temporary) entry of the more jazz-fusion minded Patrick Moraz, and really this album seems to have somewhat of a fusion flavor to it overall. The incredible epic The Gates of Delirium sounds quite lacking in direction at first. I used to think some of it was random made up on the spot jamming but with about a dozen or so listens, it became quite clear how ingenious it really is (yes, it is really that complex). It remains my favorite Yes song along with Close to the Edge, and yet even more delightful is that it is actually longer. The ending of the album (spliced out as track on the Very Best of Yes compilation) fits so well as an ending, so "enlightened" sounding, as usual for Yes music. The next two track are really good as well, though it sort of reminds me of 2112 how they are somewhat dwarfed compared to the epic, but not as extreme as that. They are still exceptional songs, and I can kind of here the writing already leading somewhat to their Tormato and Going for the One albums. I like this album mainly for it's uniqueness compared to other Yes albums without losing innovation nor going a bit too far with it (as with the preceding album). Another excellent Yes album that any progressive listener, especially that with fusion/eclectic tastes.