YES - Relayer (1974)

In the sometimes Fragile working relationship of YES where tensions are often Close to the Edge of tearing the band apart, there was an almost constant Relayer race of band members coming and going. Rick Wakeman couldn't wait for the lengthy recording of the previous Topographic Oceans album To Be Over and done with, the laborious recording process having nearly driven him to The Gates of Delirium. In the ensuing Drama, Rick's departure would herald the arrival of Swiss Refugee and keyboard wiz Patrick Moraz for the recording of the Relayer album, when Heaven & Earth would have to be moved to persuade Rick Wakeman to return for the Going for the One re-Union album in 1977. Moraz would later go on to be a Days of Future Passed member of The Moody Blues, where it would subsequently take a costly and seemingly interminable court case to decide whether he was ever a full-time member of the Moodies, or just a jobbing keyboard player for hire. In the months leading up to the recording of the Relayer album, there was even Talk of Vangelis joining YES, but his unwillingness to travel and various other complications led to Moraz being hired instead. Relayer contained three lengthy pieces of music, including a side-long epic, but a shorter single edit from the album would Soon turn out to be one of their best-known and best-loved songs. 

Gates of Delirium is colosal. And even more so the Symphonic Live version.

My favorite yes album ever since its release. A masterpiece for them. Moraz really shined. Great compositions and vocals.

Steve Howe used a Fender Telecaster, especially to generate that distinctive agressive guitar sound on Relayer. I think that Patrick Moraz inspired Howe to scout his musical and emotional boundaries.

Edited by TenYearsAfter - March 09 2024 at 03:27

My favourite Yes album by some distance. I'm not the biggest Yes fan around here, but Relayer is a monster of an album that I can still enjoy like on day one.

JD wrote: I have to admit it's closer to the bottom of my Yes list. That being said, I did gain a new appreciation for it recently after I upgraded my stereo system in my office. I added a new pair of speakers, B&M DM110i. They are what's referred to as 'Very Revealing' speakers. And the reviews were right. This hot noisy mess of an album suddenly became, at the very last, clear. I could actually define the different parts being played. I still don't love it, but at least I know what was being played now.

A personnel fav' ... awesome stuff

My favorite Yes album and one of my favorite albums ever.

richardh wrote: Suprisingly few comments for such a great album. It certainly has a harder darker edge compared to anything else they did. Only South Side Of The Sky comes close. Wildly creative, the band were likely also the most technically accomplished band in existence at the time. Such a shame this exact line up didn't continue. This album stands the test of time imo.

I would throw Machine Messiah in there too has having a harder, darker edge.