RELAYER

This is my favorite album of all time. Yes indeed. I think it is much better than Close to the Edge, and the best album in all of prog. It shows Yes at their most mature and energetic peak, whipping up a frenzy of badass lightspeed riffs. It is often spoken of as their most jazzy recording, but I see it as very futuristic, other-worldly and almost science-fictiony at times. But you can certainly sense the Return to Forever influence here. Between the monster chops is some of the most tender and emotional music in their catalog, "Soon" and "To Be Over". Every musician turns in the best performance of their career here. Squire kills, Howe kills, and kills again. Anderson's lyrics are his best ever. The Gates of Delerium is perhaps the only place where he shouts angrily, and to good effect. Howe's tone is shrill and biting. The battle scene is vicious, as White demolishes his set and a lot of metallic items, and has one of the most ridiculous bass solos ever before the grand climax. Moraz didn't get a chance to contribute at the composition stage, but he shines through in an unforgettable way, that will make you forget all about Wakeman. This record can't be appreciated with superficial listening...it demands your attention. Symphonic Prog should have just ended after this, because nothing else ever came close afterwards.