RELAYER

This is one of those albums you don't hear as revered as some of Yes's other creations. Well, there is a good reason for that. While it exhibits everything traditional Prog fans look for, it does not leave the listener with a sense of musical accomplishment. In other words, this album needs a denouement. After "To Be Over", I am left waiting for more music and always find myself saying, "why does it end that way?"

The epic "The Gates of Delirium" is a ~22 minute push of musical chops and singing that really isn't that memorably melodic except at the 9 minute mark, instrumental fury is unleashed, quite nicely, and then again during the "Soon" section, which is very catchy. Sound Chaser is a very good piece of music, cusping on the fringes of jazz. Up tempo and flashy. But like much of TGoD, it lacks memorable melody.

The talents of Yes are not at all missing from Relayer. What lacks in this release is a sense of purpose, a reason for being. It almost sounds like they recorded it for the sake of releasing something. For true progressiveness, this album ranks upwards of 4 or maybe 5 stars. But because after listening, little stands out as the great melodic Yes we all love, I would have to give it 3 to 3.5 stars.