Relayer

Relayer is a 1974 album by the progressive rock band Yes.

After the ambitious double-concept album Tales From Topographic Oceans, Rick Wakeman left Yes to continue his solo career. The band auditioned several prospective replacements, the closest contender being the Greek keyboardist Vangelis. Although he did not become a member of Yes, these rehearsals paved the way several future collaborations between Vangelis and Jon Anderson. The band then chose Swiss-born Patrick Moraz as a replacement. Relayer has the same song format as 1972's Close to the Edge (a long epic on one side, and two relatively short pieces on the other), but a slightly different musical style.

"The Gates of Delirium" is a dense, 20-minute piece that was inspired by Leo Tolstoy’s War and Peace. It features lengthy improvisations by each member of the band, sometimes clashing intentionally with one another. Featuring lyrics about the fultility of war, it remains one of the most musically aggressive songs ever produced by the band. The final section, in which the aggression of the previous 15 minutes is suddenly replaced by a gentle melody and a lyrical prayer for peace, has been released as a single under the title "Soon".

"Sound Chaser" is a jazzy, mostly instrumental piece that echoes King Crimson. "To Be Over" is the gentlest piece on the album, and features complex, melodic arrangements of guitar and sitar.

Relayer features a cover by Roger Dean. The layout of the album package is similar to Fragile with two additional paintings and a photograph of the band inside the fold-out sleeve. The cover was later used in a Pepsi-Cola ad, as the T-shirt worn by Shakira.

Track listing

1. ”The Gates of Delirium” – 21:55
2. ”Sound Chaser” – 9:25
3. ”To Be Over” – 9:08

Personnel

• Jon Anderson – vocals
• Chris Squire – bass and vocals
• Steve Howe – guitar and vocals
• Alan White – drums
• Patrick Moraz – keyboards

See also

• Yes
• Progressive rock
• Roger Dean