OLIAS OF SUNHILLOW

If there was ever any question that Jon Anderson was the main force behind Yes's unique sound, Olias of Sunhillow totally proves it. Anderson's first solo album was no less epic than any 70s Yes album, but what makes it particularly remarkable is the fact he wrote, arranged and performed everything on the album himself. I've heard the story goes something like he locked himself in his garage for long time to force himself to complete it. But however the story goes, the truth is that this is a really good album. True to Anderson's style, the lyrics don't make any sense but somehow, someone figured out the gibberish and Olias of Sunhillow is a concept album about some alien race or whatever. I really want to know what Anderson was dropping in order to come up with that and names like "QoQuaQ". But it's really the music that matters, right?

Olias of Sunhillow lies somewhere between the progressiveness of Yes and proto-new age music. It doesn't exactly sound like Yes (because he doesn't have the chops to pull it off) but if you are familiar with Yes's output around this time, you will definitely see Anderson's influence. The whole album is fairly calm with only bursts of energy here and there (sound like a weather report). It all feels like you're floating down a river with fairies and stuff floating around. Beautiful soundscapes with all sorts of percussion instruments abound, topped off with Anderson's layered vocals (see "We Have Heaven" on Fragile). Actually, he uses quite an arsenal of musical instruments. I would tell you what the were, but I don't know and the booklet sucks, so you'll have to trust me. Furthermore, Olias of Sunhillow is very spacey and very beautiful.

It's never poppy but doesn't slide into pretentious self-indulgence. Anderson has a very creative mind and everything is expressed beautifully here. Fans of Yes's 70s output who are looking for something more definitely need to check out this album.

Standout songs: "Moon Ra/Chords/Song of Search"