YES | "SOUND CHASER" (reaction)

Greetings S.A.D.fam! Check out Sight After Dark (Singer Sifa Graffiti and Guitarist Dan Berg) reacting to/reviewing “Sound Chaser” by Yes.
This song was a Patreon Poll Suggestion!
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Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use. No copyright infringement intended. ALL RIGHTS BELONG TO THEIR RESPECTIVE OWNERS

[@garyrausch1184]

Requires multiple listens to GET the true greatness of this

[@SightAfterDark]

Looks like we have a few more listens to go :)

[@pilesovinyl]

Yeah, really love this one but first listen is pretty overwhelming.

[@Guido102]

Yesss, it happened to me too. Didn't like at first, but after many listens I got into it

[@mattleppard1964]

One of the best Yes songs of all time ❤

[@peteharper2687]

My favourite track off of my favourite album, has been for close to 50 years.

[@reneelyons6836]

I have this album hanging on my wall. I LOVE this album. Chef's kiss. 👩‍🍳💋

[@psbarrow]

I'm an old fart and remember the times when this came out. Prog was still huge, but jazz fusion was also a big trend as alumni from Miles Davis' electric period in the late 60s/early 70s formed their own groups and became successful in their own right (e.g. Chick Corea with "Return To Forever", John McLaughlin with "Mahavishnu Orchestra", Herbie Hancock with "Mwandishi", Tony Williams with "Lifetime", and Joe Zawinul with "Weather Report"). Knowing this music, "Sound Chaser" was YES dipping their musical toes into this stream.

[@Norther56]

Patrick Moraz's presence on Relayer as keyboardist had a lot to do, I think, with how jazz-inflected this song sounds. He was classically trained and started his professional career as a jazz musician. The band went big on the layering, too, which imho is what makes repeat listenings worthwhile.

[@TigerMtnKing]

A bit too chaotic for most people but it's just simply genius!🤩

[@Serai3]

Most people want simplicity in their music. Complexity confuses and distresses them.

[@Jack-D-Ripper]

I love this song. 😎

[@chazblitz]

Relayer is my second favorite Yes album after Drama. And Sifa is right. This does paint a sonic picture in your mind. A bunch of intricate little pieces interwoven together like some mensa level puzzle. I was lucky enough to see Yes perform this with Patrick Moraz still in the band. Not for everyone, but I thought it would at least be an interesting listen. Hopefully, you guys like tonight's album a little more.

[@SightAfterDark]

Thanks Chaz! Definitely a lot different than Rory Gallagher 😂

[@charlienieland]

Nice reaction! It does not obey regular song conventions. This song finds them bringing every Yes extreme together in one song- jagged, lyrical, relentless, pastoral. They never met a good idea that they wouldn’t rudely interrupt with another. For me, the revelation is how they tie together these juxtapositions with simple recalled melodic themes. The opening vocal melody is threaded throughout out the piece in the keyboards (even in the finale). The vocal harmonies, the wicked grooves and Howe’s incendiary guitar all balance each other. It’s a joyful thrill ride.

[@bobk9572]

I am always curious to see peoples reaction to this Yes album - it's so out there; but for me one of my favorites. I can totally understand how this wouldn't be everyones cup of tea. Glad you experienced anyway!

[@SightAfterDark]

Thanks for watching Bob!

[@teamorozuk6819]

I get why this one didn’t land during the first listen but in my case, this song gets better with repeated listens. The more you listen, the more their intentions are recognized. The patterns become more evident and therefore more satisfying. By now, I expect this from Yes. It gives their songs staying power so they have a longer shelf life. This music is fifty years old. I love watching you and others listen to it for the first time. I can’t tell you how you’re going to feel about it fifty years from now, but I can sure tell you that I’m glad I listened more than once.

[@SightAfterDark]

Fair enough! May need to give it some more listens :)

[@lesblatnyak5947]

Ladies and gentlemen YES the greatest show on earth. The first time I saw YES, the first three songs were Sound Chaser, Close To The Edge, and Gates Of Delirium. I was impressed so much so that I saw Chris Squire and Alan White 35 times over the next forty years ✨️🎶✨️

[@jefff3886]

I only saw them once, and that sweet memory will last a lifetime. Dallas Texas, 1998, outdoor venue, front row seats stage left sitting right in front of Chris. The 23 year old Russian whiz kid Igor Khoroshev handling the keyboards quite admirably, Alan White sitting at the drum kit, and Jon and Steve and Chris. Added bonus, Alan Parsons was the opening act. Woo-hoo!

[@thomasvieth578]

This Sound Chaser has the same function as a Dream Catcher

[@SightAfterDark]

Nice!

[@wendellwiggins2900]

SOUND CHASING is exactly what this song does to you & LISTENING TO IT AGAIN & again is the key to adjusting to this helluva-ride & to truly understanding the pure GENIUS of this Masterpiece by YES's progressive move into total Jazz Fusion mode by upping their game once again on this their last greatest One-of a-Kind FULL album with new & one-time member, keyboardist virtuoso Patrick Moraz. Pat's influence on this YES release took them exponentially into yet another new unique world like they'd done on all previous new albums consecutively! Those changes in tempo and the inclusion of the reinterpreted Balinese Monkey Chant are moments of sheer brilliance! RELAYER along with the song AWAKEN from their next album are the highest levels YES were to reach, creatively. During the 70's YES never ceased to do the UMAGINABLE in UNEXPECTED ways.

[@SightAfterDark]

Thanks for the comment Wendell!

[@wendellwiggins2900]

@@SightAfterDark I can never get enough of this and most 70s YES. I saw them do this LIVE perfectly! WHAO!

[@roygaiot8105]

And the connection between Relayer and Awaken is that Moraz had a big role in the development of both. Awaken was Moraz's brain child. Can only imagine how it would have sounded with him still in the band.

[@thomassharmer7127]

The drummer came to rehearsals for this album in a stick-shift sports car, driving out of London to the bass player's country pile. Speeding up and slowing down in the traffic and going through the gears gave him the idea of playing a piece of music that did the same. This is the most experimental and consciously anti-commercial track Yes ever did.

[@swimszoots]

Very interesting. I had never heard that. Sifa made a good point about hearing a slower rhythm underneath the super fast part.

[@richkurl]

7/25/1975, 16 years old, Roosevelt Stadium in Jersey City NJ. Waited in line all day with intermittent showers and thunderstorms, then stood in the mud and muck for hours in an altered state of consciousness that night as Yes opened with Sound Chaser, then Close to the Edge. What a night.

[@SightAfterDark]

Sounds like quite a time Rich!

[@erifkind]

I love how absolutely insane the playing is , even during the “quiet” moments

[@johng.8517]

Checkout side one of this album "The Gates of Delirium", and also "Close to the Edge", "And You and I", "Starship Trooper", "Perpetual Change", "The Revealing Science of God", lots more.

[@SightAfterDark]

Thanks!

[@Serai3]

This is "turn out the lights" music, all about internal vision, what your mind invents as the music swirls around you. Best enjoyed in a dark room, with maybe a single candle burning, so you can journey without distraction. Yes is such a poetic, complex band, with such beautiful explorations. Take some time to listen to the whole album, it's a masterpiece! 🥰

[@charlesf2804]

I saw Yes live in 1976. I don't remember if they did this track, but I was blown away by the show overall, including the elaborate stage setup. as for this track, I haven't heard it in a while. It's a very experimental piece, and it may not be my favorite Yes track, but I would have no problem listening to it again (never skipped it when playing the LP). I can appreciate it more now, actually.

[@lesblatnyak5947]

Well, if you saw YES in 76, this album was the tour, and in Toronto, the first three songs were Sound Chaser, Close To The Edge, and Gates Of Delirium 🙏

[@charlesf2804]

@@lesblatnyak5947 I remember "Close to the Edge" and "Gates of Delirium;" "Sound Chaser" was probably part of the set as well, just didn't remember. Thanks.

[@SightAfterDark]

Seeing them live sounds like a great experience!

[@charlesf2804]

@@SightAfterDark It was. The stage setup alone was worth the money.

[@RandallMorelli]

The next song, To be Over, is the counter balance to the chaos of Sound chaser. they are typically played as one song.

[@GES8215]

No they aren’t

[@paulfenwick8767]

Also for Sifa, there's a tiny bit on here that reminds me of the "Heavy" bit on the last Aristocrats reaction you did 🙂

[@reneelyons6836]

Love This!! It is my jam!! Happy Fourth of July!! 🎆💙🎵🎶🎶🎶

[@SightAfterDark]

Rock on Renee! Happy Fourth to you too!

[@anthonyblakely399]

Goodness Gracious!!! There are some people are just Blessed by the gods with extraordinary talent that cannot be explained!!! And My Yes band is one of them!!! Every time I hear this song or play it in my home.....chills and tears break out from me by the pure unmatched beauty of EXCELLENCE!!!! Great reactions...btw.

[@SightAfterDark]

Thanks for watching Anthony!

[@YESFan1971]

Best band, ever. Period.

[@TheAmazingSpaghetti]

It is a really wild song, and it does usually take several listens to get used to it, it's very experimental, lots of tempo changes, a roller coaster, but a great song. The main song Gates on this album, that really takes you on a journey, like watching Lord Of The Rings, and the last song is mellow, a palette cleanser, but beautiful when it kicks into a groove about a third into it.

[@SightAfterDark]

Appreciate you watching!

[@michaelhogan6770]

Its Steves Fender Album, for most of it he used a 1953 Tele, a 1953 Fender twin lap steel and there is a little bit of Danelectric Sitar

[@GES8215]

Proof that Jon Anderson can write and sing over anything

[@stephencolligan]

Listening to this ,for the first time as a 15 year old boy in the 70’s ,my brain was totally overwhelmed. Even today ,along with the Ancient,it’s probably one of Yes’s more difficult tracks ,but still brilliant .

[@SightAfterDark]

It’s definitely a crazy track!

[@donaldanderson6604]

Yes had been listening to the Mahavishnu Orchestra and it really shows on this album. Steve re recorded a version of To be Over on one of his solo albums. Gates of Delirium ends with one of Anderson's best melodies.

[@sndchsr]

Sound art is a great description

[@ferleiva7080]

Las caras cuando arrancó el "cha cha chaaaa cha-cha!" Clásico momento WTF de los años progresivos. Tu amigo te ponía el disco para verte la cara cuando llegaba esa parte 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@SightAfterDark]

LOL

[@patcow9999]

I remember getting this album way back in the day, it was such a Moraz jazz rock inspired piece for me. It took me years to get the thought process of the musicianship, aligned to the song title, then it struck me as obvious. Take the amazing drums at the start, quite manic as Alan White wrestles with the chase to ultimately bring the musical beast under control, just in time for the band to join in. Repeated with Howe's manic, bordering on maniacal guitar solo, once again a wrestle to bring his sounds, chasing the beautiful, gets close a few times only for the madness to escape again, then sublime control, he's tamed the guitaring beast. I've never read anything about this but artistically that's how I've always viewed this gem.

[@SightAfterDark]

Wow, you wrote your comment so vibrantly!We were hanging on to every word 😊. Your description helped us understand the song much better. Thanks for sharing!

[@Rowenband]

For me one of the best Yes songs. So intense and rich. Yes a few listens are needed to get it. It sound chasing… During the video it looks like Dan is really bored by this song, and I can understand it for a first listen. Give it few more tries. And you will want to play this… I agree with Sifa, you must be connected to it. But even then, the more you listen the better you will find it… if you got a bit of it in first place. If, like Dan, you don't like it, no use to get back to it.

[@SightAfterDark]

Thanks Rowenband!

[@R01120]

Alan White!

[@markjacobsen8335]

You don't have to like it, but you need to understand that there are not too many notes in "Sound Chaser". Every note, vocal line, and percussive bit is deliberate and meaningful. The song is literally about chasing sound as indicated by the song's title. Again, there is no requirement that you like the song, but what you just listened to is sheer brilliance. Personally, I loved it the first time I heard it when I was 15 years old many decades ago. If you want something with more space take a listen to the song that comes after it on the same album - "To Be Over". It is absolutely beautiful.

[@SightAfterDark]

Thanks for sharing; and for the suggestion!

[@user-fj4lt9wl9g]

Yes. Totally agree with your reaction as a die hard Yes fan. But I still admire the creativity of this band.

[@SightAfterDark]

Absolutely

[@SteveJonesHimself]

This has been my favorite Yes album since it was released (Going For The One, being my second favorite). I feel like they peaked with this one before totally digitally reinventing themselves with Trevor. This is intentionally a very layered thing. If you *don't* go back and listen to it again, you won't really have listened to it at all. Which is not to say you would ever like it. But I immediately did, and it has just kept getting better as I returned to it; even till now. And it's kind of a Yes anomaly. Moraz's influence was profound (extending beyond this particular album) and I think the alchemy was really good.

[@roygaiot8105]

This album is so overlooked even among Yes fans. There is absolutely nothing like it -- it's a masterpiece among masterpieces.

[@SightAfterDark]

Thanks for the comment Steve!

[@AmberPearcy]

💛💛💛

[@benoitdesmarais2948]

Sifa's right: no weed, just dial in! NOT background music, requires your full attention and more than one listen. Sections of this piece are just funky as hell, and the middle section sounds like something out of Chick Corea's My Spanish Heart. Not the catchiest Yes album, but the best.

[@reneblum6919]

One of my first LPS I bought mid 70s… Swiss guy on keyboards Patrick Moraz…..

[@scotstevens5263]

It takes a required taste for this one. I was certainly Going for the One on Sound Chaser. I saw them do this tour. Crazy live. Chow.

[@SightAfterDark]

Yeah this must’ve been crazy live

[@stevedriver1376]

You need a packet of paracetamol handy when listening to this.

[@ChromeDestiny]

This is the song I audition headphones with. If it doesn't sound like I'm standing right next to Alan White's drums during the intro they fail. If you want to hear Yes' take on minimalist playing check out 1987's Shoot High Aim Low.

[@SightAfterDark]

Thanks!

[@building436]

I love Yes Songs...but here I must say, (with all my respect) thirty other songs could certainly be created from this range of tones, scales and melodies 😇

[@paulfenwick8767]

If nothing else, this shows what a bunch of incredible musicians Yes were, even without Wakeman. While I like a lot of Yes, this album is the only one I "really like without Wakeman. What a rhythm section, Squire and White. Howe a great guitarist. Prior to this, Yes were unique for me. On this, after the main guitar solo, it sounded early Genesis. The guitar later sounded Beefheart. Not saying that's bad but it is the start of the change of Yes, maybe looking for a different audience. Good initial pick by Chaz I believe.

[@roygaiot8105]

I'll take Moraz over Wakeman any day. He was the genius behind Awaken, before he was unjustly kicked out of the band.

[@ronaldmorgan7632]

Dude, she gets it. You, however, still have some prog boot camp to complete. They named it "Sound Chaser" for a reason.

[@SightAfterDark]

Thanks for watching Ronald!

[@fredkrissman6527]

An amazing tune on my #1 YES lp... Like most great albums, the whole is better cuz of all of its parts. And weed DOES help, but 'shrooms are much better!!! I saw them perform the entire album live back in the late 70s, and the audience was spellbound. Thanx for the memories folks.

[@SightAfterDark]

Thanks for being here Fred!

[@markjohnson4217]

This is YES's most extreme track, it's all built around counts of five and ten, which yields those rapid note measures of 20/16. I heard the single version of it recently, (I can't believe they released it as a single!) and the drums were more forward in the mix and it actually came across much stronger. We need to hear more of the backbone, because there IS one there. But most listeners and even fans of the band can't be expected to really get what is happening, or even find the 'groove', every instrument is on maximum assault mode. But it is obvious that this was intentional, YES never made apologies for thrusting us into the unknown and leaving us dizzy and confused. The title expresses exactly what they deliver, Lol... Chasing, running, excelerating, decelerating, pausing, listening, running faster and faster, trying to catch it but its always out of reach...

[@SightAfterDark]

Wow we can’t believe this was released as a single either 😂

[@danielhollenbach539]

Music is a lot like food, you might not like it today but try it again in a few years as your taste or should I say your ear changes over time.

[@SightAfterDark]

We agree!

[@276parpir]

made using A.I. : AUTHENTIC INTELLIGENCE (with a healthy dollop of THE DIVINE)...........

[@GTO4now]

YES! 😊 and weed! 😂

[@SightAfterDark]

LOL 😂

[@CapitaineK]

visibly the dude is completely lost while the chick is totally getting it. It's clear who has the feel for music here!

[@SightAfterDark]

Yup and that’s pretty much what we said in the reaction. Thanks for paying attention 😉

[@paulfenwick8767]

Sifa, a 3 minute edit of this was released as a single. Most of the guitar is cut. Not quite as frantic, which Dan may prefer

[@SightAfterDark]

☺️wow that’s crazy!

[@kengregory6026]

Hi guys, it's been a while...yeh, a bit bonkers and I didn't really like it when I first heard it many years ago (along with The Gates Of Delirium,the whole of side one)..but ,as many others have said, multiple listens gives a greater reward :)

[@SightAfterDark]

We look forward to that kind of experience. Thanks for coming by again to share!

[@philipesterle6409]

Sometimes I feel like Squire and Howe put this one together as a test for Patrick Moraz, who was replacing Rick Wakeman.

[@SightAfterDark]

Lol that's funny. "Let's see what you do with this new guy"

[@cybore213]

You're not far off. When Moraz auditioned for Yes, they asked him to come up with a keyboard part for the intro section of Sound Chaser. Vangelis had just auditioned, and his equipment was still in the studio, so Moraz used that setup. After that, it was a done deal.

[@Norther56]

@@cybore213 True story -- thanks for adding it.

[@rumourhats]

Time signature written on the score: ?/?

[@SightAfterDark]

😂😂😂

[@Norther56]

What score? lol

[@semchen9]

Yes, then, were smoked, by listening to the Mahavishnu Orchestra.

[@SightAfterDark]

LOL

[@semchen9]

@@SightAfterDark fyi, the Band Members, literally, spoke of Relayer's Muses being the above Band. - Birds of Fire, Anyone !?

[@jaypierce0811]

Didn't get it in '75. Took years to rediscover it.

[@SightAfterDark]

lol so it's not just us. Cool

[@donaldshulenburg1553]

I just stopped smoking weed a week ago and maybe that's why I don't like this. Now that's FUNNY!

[@SightAfterDark]

LOL glad you got a laugh!

[@jaymez3461]

I appreciate the honesty. You're not gonna like everything you hear. This is a difficult track to get into and is not one of my favorites from Yes. The other tracks from this album are better, in my opinion.

[@SightAfterDark]

Appreciate you taking the time to watch!

[@charleschadwick8042]

not my fave Yes piece!

[@SightAfterDark]

lol same