RELAYER

Don't get me worng, this is a very good album, but one song does not an Essential make. Gates Of Delirium is certainly a fantastic, brilliant effort that ranks among YES' best songs but also remember that there are two tracks that follow this, two dull, drab efforts that should disappoint any YES supporter. It is because of the general malaise brought on by Sound Chaser and To Be Over that this falls, in my ranks, to 5th among YES albums. The golden age of YES' began in 1971 and in many ways ended right in the middle of this album when Gates Of Delirium ends, because they would never again create a complete album. When you have a run of such exceptional brilliance you do become a victim of your own success and while Sound Chaser, To Be Over and the album Going For The One are alright prog works themselves, they do not meet YES standards and don't hold up well in comparisons with many of their prog contemporaries better works. Gates Of Delirium makes this an excellent addition to any prog collection but I can't see going above 4 star for this album because of the lack of great supporting tracks.