RELAYER

Final part in Yes' masterpiece serie, starting from The Yes Album. Relayer starts from major work of art, The Gates of Delirium, which fills the whole side of LP. Lyrics, basing on Leo Tolstoi's War and Peace, are pure Anderson, difficult to understand, but still whole lot of easier than what it was on TFTTO. The song splits clearly to three different parts, first one's about politic mess before the war, then comes the war itself. This war-part really is mind-blowing, Howe's on fire and Patrick Moraz on the organs does a great job, Wakeman's place on the band is hard to fill, but he does it creating a real chaos-feel with his flashy melodies and from channel-to-channel moving keyboards. Squire's heavy and streaming basslines have always been the cornerstones of Yes-sound, that's exactly what they are here, too.

Second song, Sound Chaser, is the most challenging song on Relayer, but it's starting to make some sense when you listen to it more. Those a capella parts are great, even better if played loud (well, what music wouldn't...). Howe's weird riff is brilliant, fitting into chaos, but it still pops out from somewhere.

Easiest song, To Be Over, is a perfect opposite to Sound Chaser, including Howe's easy riff and Anderson's lyrics are really making sense here, even I can sing along with them.

Even the cover of album is just fantastic, great package indeed.