WAITING

Plus Some Vocal Heroics

Illinois, USA-based quartet RELAYER here presents their seventh full-length release (three of these since 2019), called "Waiting". RELAYER released their debut in 1994, so these guys have been around awhile.

It's my first exposure to THIS RELAYER- and they've got a lot to offer. Line-up is-John Sahagian / lead vocals, keyboards; Tim LaRoi / guitars; Tom Burke / bass, vocals; and Bill Kiser / drums, vocals.

Vocal Heroics

There are lots of strengths on display from this veteran quartet- each guy is a polished, tasteful, skilled musician, and for me, the clean, clear, high lead vocals, plus the sophisticated and smooth vocal arrangements are a stand-out feature.

I thought I heard Queen references especially on "Waiting", and some catchy melodic lines throughout in which harmonies were added, and sometimes unison singing.

Guitars

Here I sometimes thought of Rush, the way guitars would take over with a combination of lead and some chord fills, or colorizations with picked passages and the use of acoustic guitars. I especially heard these in "Storyboard" and "So They Say", but also throughout the album. And some mighty spry leads are sprinkled in as well.

Rhythm Section

I really dig the crunchy/punchy bass sounds and the way accents and fills are used. Drumming is so germane to the music, plus there are some pretty smoking fills thrown in here too; one example, "Spread Your Sunshine." These guys play so well together.

Keyboards

Like a lot of us who are fanatics for symphonic progressive music, I love keyboards, and especially the growling Hammond sound. On "Waiting" there are many keyboard touches, fills, and atmospherics, from mellotron choral sounds, to strings, to acoustic piano, and on "No Breakthrough", that delicious Hammond organ sound.

One Clear Highlight

"Better in this World" really stands out for me- it's the longest piece, long enough for some build-ups and changes, for some tempo and mood shifts, some grandeur, and lovely vocal arrangements. This one seemed most "progressive" to me, and it's a direction I'd love to hear more from RELAYER.

Last Thoughts

RELAYER fits into what I'd call an art-rock category, using strong melodies and great vocals, plus clean and crisp arrangements with intelligent compositions, to create an intriguing whole. It's not the most adventuresome progressive music there is, yet I used the term "ear candy" because the album entertains, and does so sweetly and convincingly.

My rating- 3.5 out of five fine confections.