RELAYER

Overrated. In terms of Yes albums I feel this marks the beginning of the end for Yes (despite a brief resurgence with Going for the One). I don't think the lack of Wakeman helped matters either.

Whereas with Tales the whole side long experiment was new and worked to a degree, Gates of Delerium seems directionless and rambling, and although there are moments that shine, Rick is sorely missed and there is just a sense of 'nothing new here'. Although the final part, soon is definitely a fine piece of work, but doesn't justify the rest of the song. As for sound chaser and To Be Over, I feel that they too lack much inspiration or direction, especially soundchaser, which just seems like pointless jamming.

I like Yes up to a point, but this marks the transition to the era when the means began to justify the end, and the result is an incomplete, incoherent piece of work.