First Reviewer of The Best Progressive Album of all Times
drepf@tutopia.com | Buenos Aires, Argentina | 10/10/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Buy it... yesterday! (today it's too late). Maybe there are 15 seconds of doubtful melody sung "a capella" near the end of the album. The rest is excellent in each note of every instrument.
This is a formal clon of Close to The Edge. Anderson, Howe and Squire are at their best ever. Allan White's job is perfect, as he'd feeling genuine part of the band surpassing the Tales test of substituing Bruford. Rick Wakeman was replaced by Patrick Moraz that reaches the best performance of his life, with a perfect domain over new synth timbres that revitalizes the band. The general sound quality of this album is also incredible.
The Gates of Dellirium is the story (both words and music) of a tribe pushed to deffensive battle, which they finally win saving their lives and consolidating their collective values. There are three moments through the piece: normal life, war and final hopeful peace.
To be Over is the calm one (remember And You & I), melting the Howe's usual effects and glide with the smooth but rich synths introduced by Moraz.
Sound Chaser recovers the nerve but under a much more free form that Siberian Kathru, and the solo electric piano of the opening and the synth in the end are real masterpieces.
At this point Yes begins his decadence, surely because of the reappearance of crude simple rock brought by punk, new wave, raggae and those trends that The Police will unify with great talent. I presume if you're reading this is because you love progressive music and not Michael Jackson or Christina Aguilera.
Exception made of Turn of the Century, Awaken, Future Times-Rejoice and Release-Release (and with some extra indulgence also Wonderous Stories, Madrigal and ABHW) the group would never get too high."
Track Listings (3) - Disc #1