OLIAS OF SUNHILLOW

Olias is probably the best solo project that any of the members of Yes has ever released (and they all were recording decent solo projects in 1975-1976.) This one stays close to the spirit Anderson has infused into his lyrics for Yes songs, with surreal and fantastic lyrics that seem to tell an epic story but never get so specific as to interfere with the storyline running in your head. I don't think that the music sounds particularly like Yes, though. Jon's interests in chant and world music subtly raise their heads here for the first time, and the music is very atmospheric with a hint of space rock. These are great compositions, but with nothing really technically challenging in them and nothing that really pushes the envelope except for the fact that Jon apparently performed everything himself in the studio. Still, Olias holds up better than almost anything else in Jon's solo catalog and remains an enjoyable listening experience to this day. This one gets 5 stars as Olias of Sunhillow is one of the three must hear solo projects from the members of Yes. (The other two would be Journey to the Center of the Earth and Fish out of Water.)