RELAYER

Relayer is one of the most impressive records ever released. But only for ¾ of its running time. That's the bitter truth! Is very difficult to describe or to put in words the wonderful epic "Gates of Delirium". So many people and reviewers have posted their opinions in this site. Since I'm not really a "huge" Yes' fan, I fear I cannot add nothing new to that incredible amount of comments.

The first side, along with the superb "Sound Chaser" (and its jazzy vein brought by new keybardist Moraz), is the epithome of "SYMPHONIC CHAOS". "Chaos" is the word used sometimes to describe this album by certain reviewers and I personally agree with them. The music's structure is unpredictable from the very first minutes up to the warm and sublime section "Soon".

It seems there is no scheme fixed, apparently. This is a peculiarity that manage to wrong- foot the listener and it's certainly a very good thing. At least what many prog aficionados are searching for: wonderful passages and changing of tempos, great use of electric "mad" guitar, inceasing (and idefatigable) drums, fast bass lines and excellent keyboards, synths and other "vintage" electronic stuff.

The only problem with Relayer is the closer "To Be Over". I really don't understand its presence here... it appears as a "special intruder". Good but not enough to guarantee a full five stars treatment. That's my humle opinion. By the way, as I remember before, the first ¾ of this record's running time is at the masterpiece status! Hurray!!