RELAYER

Am I the only one sensing a formula here?

A few years prior to the release of this album, the band Yes released their prog-monster, 'Close To The Edge' and it is now hailed as being one of the greatest pieces of progressive rock ever written. Fast forward to 1974, and having released a critically mixed album, it seems the band wanted to retreat back to a more familiar, successful formula.

The sound on 'Relayer' can be described in one word; 'noisy.' While the formula is not original, the music itself is very different from what the band had been doing previously. It is sonic difference that gives 'Relayer' a very distinguished sound.

As far as quality goes, the epic 'The Gates Of Delerium' is fantastic, although not quite as good as 'Close To The Edge.' Revolving around the themes discussed in Tolstoy's 'War And Peace,' the song goes through many different changes, and the band is in very tight form. The new keyboardist, Patrick Moraz really works well with the others and can hold his own suprisingly well considering he was practically unknown at the time. The song (and album's) peak hits during the finale 'Soon' however. I know I'm not alone in thinking this, but 'Soon' is possibly the most beautiful section of music Yes has ever done. It's heart wrenching, and is a higher moment for me than on 'Close To The Edge,' 'Fragile' or any other Yes album you may choose.

The reason 'Relayer' doesn't get it's masterpiece rating is because the other two songs -while having fantastic sections in them- aren't as good, put simply. 'Sound Chaser' blew my brain into a million pieces the first time I heard it, but since then, I haven't found it to be as enjoyable. The Howe solo halfway into the song sounds very much like the live solo Led Zeppelin did for 'Heartbreaker.' The intial shock appeal of having jazz riffage shot at you through the scope of a howitzer cannon eventually dampens a bit.

On the other hand, the closer 'To Be Over' only grew on me. The first few times I heard it, I found it a bit boring to be honest; but on a closer inspection, there are alot of beautiful counterpoints and melodies to the song.

Perhaps one day my mind will change, because I am very close to giving it a five star rating, but only time will tell what hidden layers this album has for me. Four and a half stars.