Relayer

Yes - Relayer

Relayer
List Price: $11.98
Our Price: $5.84
You Save: $6.14 (51%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Category: Music CD
See more new music releases
Listen soundtracks from this album

Compare Prices for Relayer

(Click here)
Buy this Music CD at online store in your country
Canadian Music Store

Music CD Cover

Artist: Yes
Brand: YES
Edition: Music CD
Format: Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered
CD Release Date: 2003-08-26
Music Label: Elektra / Wea
Soundtracks:
  1. The Gates Of Delirium
  2. Sound Chaser
  3. To Be Over
  4. Soon (Single Edit)
  5. Sound Chaser (Single Edit)
  6. The Gates Of Delirium (Studio Run-Through)

Free Music Notes for Relayer

Free Music Review: Delirious & Accessible; Progressive Rock Lived On
Hit: 5 Stars

Looking 3+ decades into the past, it appeared that progressive rock was on its last legs. Critics gleefully cited 1973's "Tales of Topographic Oceans" as bombastic nonsense brought on by the excesses of the success of progressive rock. Progressive rock was rapidly disappearing from the mainstream. However, progressive rock never died, it just became less visible, partially sunk by the weight of its concepts. It was in the waning years of progressive rock's greatest success that Yes released "The Gates of Delirium," an excellent album that backed away from the philosophical noodling of "Tales." This album proved that progressive rock had a lot more to say, if anyone was still listening.

The first track is "The Gates of Delirium," the longest song at nearly 22 minutes. The beginning of this song is delicate, almost tentative. I can almost imagine that the beginning of this song is a kind of apology to fans who failed to understand or enjoy the overpowering bombast of "Tales from Topographic Oceans." However, the beginning of this song is not an apology, but the quiet, peaceful beginning to a song of war, much like Tchaikovsky's "1812 Overture." Indeed, the more I listened to this song, the more I found parts that matched "The 1812 Overture." Referring to the booklet included with my Rhino remastered version, I learn that this song was loosely based on "War and Peace" by Leo Tolstoy. Both "War and Peace" and the "1812 Overture" were inspired by Napoleon's invasion of Russia in 1812 and the events leading up to that invasion; similar source for motivation, similar, if different, outcomes.

The "battle" portion at the middle of the song is dramatic and sophisticated. Understanding that the song is about a war is helpful, but it takes little analysis to come to the realization that the middle portion is about conflict. The complexity of the music is a treat for progressive rock fans, though true enjoyment could take some time since the discordant threads that intrude through the middle portion of the song are initially disturbing. After gaining a better appreciation for the song, I finally came to enjoy the cacophony of the battle. The contrast of the battle with the first portion of the song and the last two portions of the song, which includes "Soon," heightens the song's drama even more.

Musically, the song is mixed. Steve Howe's guitar is brilliant. Jon Anderson's vocals are generally fine, though I thought he might have been reaching to the edge of his capabilities in a couple of places. Chris Squire's bass makes me long for the era when the bass guitar was more prominent than it typically seems to be now. I have read criticism of Alan White's drumming, but I find the criticism to be excessive. Alan White's drums are precise and accurate, and periodically intense to the point where the drums give this song a bit of a metal edge. My descriptions leave keyboardist Patrick Moraz.

Rick Wakeman was and is a phenomenal keyboardist. However, his keyboards sometimes overpower the other instruments. The change from Wakeman to Moraz was very noticeable. I appreciate that Moraz's approach to Yes's music was understated compared to Wakeman's, but I was accustomed to Wakeman. Moraz falls short for me. However, I do like the delicacy with which Moraz plays synthesizers. I also think that Moraz's synthesizers really helped the end of this track when Jon Anderson sings "Soon."

In summary, "The Gates of Delirium" is an incredible work that stands with the best music that classic progressive rock has to offer. The music and lyrics are accessible with minimal effort. The musicianship, especially the guitars, is fantastic. Jon Anderson really pushed himself vocally, but the result is enjoyable. Fans of classic progressive rock need this song in their collection.

The second track is "Sound Chaser." I enjoy this exuberant song that revels in joy and contemplation. One thing immediately stands out to me in this song, and that is Steve Howe's incredible finger work on his guitar. Though Steve Howe's guitar dominates much of this song, interlaced with Chris Squire's bass, the support from the other instruments reminds me of a much more realized version of "Moonchild" from "In the Court of the Crimson King." Alan White's drumming periodically reminds me of Chicago's "Motorboat to Mars." I even enjoyed Moraz's keyboards on this song. This song is essentially an instrumental with minimal vocals for spice. The only problem I have with this song is the "cha-cha-cha" vocal, which is fortunately brief.

The third track, which was the final song on the original vinyl album, is "To Be Over." After the complexity of the first track and the enthusiasm of the second track, this track provides a peaceful coda for "Relayer." The music is mellow and delicate. The vocals are smooth and mellow. Portions of the music transcend my ability to describe (which is how music should be). This song fits so well in the era in which it was created, surrounded by The Moody Blues, Pink Floyd, King Crimson and others who tried something different and expansive, unworried about whether the music could be packaged commercially. Those really were the days. Listen and remember.

This remaster also includes single versions of "Soon" and "Sound chaser." A studio run-through of "Gates" is the final track (Jon's vocals are unpolished and the music is good, with a couple of clunks); all nice stuff to have, but not mandatory.

I suppose every generation thinks their music was the best. Yet, as much as I keep looking now for what was then, when there was so much, it seems there is so little to find. How fortunate that this music is now timeless, forever available as CD's, MP3's and more. Here is music to lose yourself in, but only because you can find yourself in the music.

Enjoy!

Write your own review
More free music notes:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Relayer Poster

2003 remastered, reissue of 1974 album with redesigned booklet (digipak/slipcase), restored LP art, archival photos and new liner notes. Includes 3 bonus tracks 'Soon' (single edit), 'Sound Chaser' (single edit) & 'The Gates Of Delirium' (studio run-through). Elektra.

Classic Rock Music CDs
Music Genres
Top music charts in Classic Rock Music CDs
Wings at the Speed of Sound ImagePaul Mccartney, Wings - Wings at the Speed of Sound
Release date: 1996-09-24; Music CD
Best price: $149.99
Boxed ImageSmall Faces - Boxed
Release date: 1997-11-01; Music CD
Best price: $39.95
Gris Gris ImageDr John - Gris Gris
Release date: 1994-07-15; Music CD
Price in other shops: $18.98
Eric Clapton: Live in Hyde Park [VHS] ImageEric Clapton: Live in Hyde Park [VHS]
Warner Bros / Wea; Release date: 1998-02-17; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $13.50
Price in other shops: $19.98
Human Highway [VHS] ImageHuman Highway [VHS]
Warner Bros / Wea; Release date: 1995-08-08; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $153.94
The Monkees - Head [VHS] ImageThe Monkees - Head [VHS]
Rhino / Wea; Release date: 1995-01-25; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $14.40
Price in other shops: $14.98
Live & Loud [VHS] ImageOzzy Osbourne - Live & Loud [VHS]
Sony; Release date: 1993-05-25; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $3.96
Price in other shops: $14.98
Unplugged [VHS] ImageBruce Springsteen - Unplugged [VHS]
Sony; Release date: 1992-12-15; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $2.75
Price in other shops: $14.98
Peter Gabriel - P.O.V. [VHS] ImagePeter Gabriel - Peter Gabriel - P.O.V. [VHS]
Virgin Records Us; Release date: 1992-06-29; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Price in other shops: $19.98
Past to Present [VHS] ImageToto - Past to Present [VHS]
Sony; Release date: 1991-07-01; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $77.99
Top Rated Albums
90125 ImageYes - 90125
YES; Release date: 2004-02-24; Music CD
Best price: $4.21
Price in other shops: $7.98
Yes ImageYes - Yes
YES; Release date: 2003-01-14; Music CD
Best price: $5.63
Price in other shops: $7.98
Tormato ImageYes - Tormato
YES; Release date: 2004-02-24; Music CD
Best price: $3.98
Price in other shops: $7.98
Time and a Word ImageYes - Time and a Word
YES; Release date: 2003-01-14; Music CD
Best price: $5.60
Price in other shops: $7.98
Drama ImageYes - Drama
YES; Release date: 2004-02-24; Music CD
Best price: $4.10
Price in other shops: $13.96
Going for the One ImageYes - Going for the One
YES; Release date: 2003-08-26; Music CD
Best price: $6.35
Price in other shops: $16.96
Tales From Topographic Oceans ImageYes - Tales From Topographic Oceans
YES; Release date: 2003-08-26; Music CD
Best price: $11.27
Price in other shops: $19.98
Yes Album ImageYes - Yes Album
YES; Release date: 2003-01-14; Music CD
Best price: $4.30
Price in other shops: $7.98
Fragile ImageYes - Fragile
Release date: 2003-01-14; Music CD
Best price: $6.35
Price in other shops: $18.98
Close to the Edge ImageYes - Close to the Edge
YES; Release date: 2003-08-26; Music CD
Best price: $5.94
Price in other shops: $11.98
Books | Health and Personal Care | Beauty | Digital Cameras and Photo | Kitchen and Housewares | Tools and Hardware
Copyright © 2005-2007 musicnear.com
Google
 
Web musicnear.com
Compare prices and find music notes for more than one million Music CD titles