698 Yes - Relayer (1974)

Studio Album - Progressive Rock

About the Act:

Yes followed the “How to be Prog” leaflet pretty closely - formed in 1968, had a lot of success in the early 70s, lost their way a bit at the end of the 70s, broke up in 1981, but reformed in 1983 with a more commercial sound, and have been active in some form ever since. They have had a good number of personnel changes, with particular emphasis on keyboard players. Their most famous member probably was Rick Wakeman, although the singer Jon Anderson (who has come and gone several times) has a very recognisable voice.

The distinctive Yes sound has an emphasis on the high frequency range, strong, strident bass, complex arrangements with high, strong vocals, and a rather positive attitude to life, in a vaguely New-Agey kind of way. Oh, and a lot of their classic albums had covers drawn by fantasy artist Roger Dean.

About the Album:

The keyboard player Rick Wakeman left and so the band were sort of one keyboardist. They tried out several people, including Vangelis, but settled on Swiss Patrick Moraz. He brought some fresh ideas to Yes, including Jazz-Rock, and they recorded this album with him. Then Rick wanted to come back, and they unceremoniously booted Patrick out.

My History with this Album:

I reviewed this album for my series on Prog Rock, and was unsure then. This time around I have listened a couple of times and have re-appraised it.

Review:

So let's start by nailing some colours to a mast: Patrick Moraz, the temporary keyboard player (although at the time none of them knew he was temporary) is somebody I rate. I have had several of his solo albums, and one is a real favourite of mine, I know it much better than I do this album.  I had forgotten that this album was the one he featured on, but as I listened I did wonder, because of the sounds and the nature of some of the playing.

The album is three tracks - a fairly normal thing for proggers like Yes. The first track is a full LP side, and the second side has two tracks. This longest first track called "Gates of Delirium" is about a battle, and is, to my mind, a good example of a good long-form prog track. It has several parts and moves between them. It has some interesting rhythmic stuff, including people playing in different time signatures at the same time. There's some deliberately discordant stuff, again quite well done. The featured instrument is the guitar, with a brassy high-mid sound with quite percussive attack, and there is some fine playing of it, although occasionally a little leaning towards the fumble. Guitar techniques have moved on since this time, and nowadays this would probably be expected to be smoother. Don't get me wrong, it's way beyond my ability.

The second track is my favourite, called Sound Chaser. For Yes, it is aggressive, and it's strongly influenced by the emerging Jazz-Rock of people like John McLaughlin and Return to Forever. It's heavily jazz, fast, and furious. I really enjoyed it.

The third track is the most traditionally Yes track, more mellow, more conventional musically, but that's relative, it's still not a pop song by any means. I actually thought it was the dullest of the three tracks.

Yes have this sound, with a big emphasis on the upper frequencies, in fact the upper middle range. Jon Anderson's singing is one of the highest in rock (rivalled by Geddy Lee of Rush). The guitar sounds and keyboard sounds are focused in the same area. The bass has a decent amount of bottom end (unusual for Yes, often it, too, is quite toppy). There is often quite a lot going on in the same sort of high-mid register, and some of the more paddy backgrounds are quite processed. The other defining feature of Yes, which is very much present on this album, is complexity. This is head music, rather than heart music or feet music, and it's pretty good head music.

I suppose I should mention the lyrics. Well, again, Yes lyrics are usually vaguely mystical and very positive along the "the universe is fabulous, and great things are going to happen" with a big slice of New Age-ness. This album has some darker bits. It's still vague mystical stuff though, and the star here is the music, rather than the words.

Anyway, if you like prog, you probably already know this album. If you don't you probably won't like it. I like it, but I like prog.

7.8/10

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/6MK9yp7hFeOLeR7F1hsBp6

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=quPoq2699Xo&t=11s

Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Relayer