RELAYER

I would rate this album as 5 stars for the Gates of Delirium alone. This is a phenomenal work that sounds incredible on both this studio album and live recordings. As others have commented, it is a musical representation of a battle with different themes representing waring factions. You get a brutal guitar slicing and hacking its way through the centre of the piece dueling against dirty bass and soaring / dive bombing lead synth lines. The chaos of the battle dies away with gentle guitar swells leading into the high pitched echoing slide guitar of Soon. The absence of vocals from the central part of this work makes the final section and resolution of piece all the more beautiful. The inclusion of Patrick Moraz gives this album a very different feel to other yes albums. The keyboards he uses have a softer feel to the sharpness of Wakeman's moogs and his playing has a jazz fusion feel which contrasts with Wakeman's classical style. The second side of the album has two contrasting pieces. Sound Chaser seems to follow from side one with the harshness of Howe's guitar centre stage. To be over provides a change of mood/pace and nice contrast to rest of the album. For me, this the third masterpiece from Yes following Close to the Edge and Tales from Topographic Oceans. One of my favorite albums.