RELAYER

This was the first album after the first departure of Rick Wakeman. It speaks volumes that this band could produce something of this quality after losing such a key member. And this after the departure of Bill Bruford befor the previous album.

Although much can be said for Patrick Moraz' incredible job filling the void left by Wakeman, the album is really a tour de force for Steve Howe. His guitar is out front from start to finish, playing licks that make most of his other works pale in comparison.

The Gates Of Delirium ranks as Yes' second greatest epic. While more challenging to the listener than Close To The Edge, and darker than most Yes music, the piece is brought down by the maudlin ending, often separated as the song Soon. This portion of the epic often makes me think of Barbra Streisand.

Sound Chaser is another song unlike anything else in Yes' catalog. This is where Moraz shines, adding some almost jazzy sounding keyboard lick around Howe's strong guitar.

To Be Over is a bit of a letdown after the first two songs, but I suppose a bit of relaxation is in order by this point.

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