π§ YES, "Relayer". Is it their most confounding record? Probably. Does it showcase everything that punk hated about prog? Check. It seems so directionless at times, yet it is their most challenging record. Patrick Moraz' only album with the band puts their jazz-rock chops to the test. It's delicate and violent all at once. By the time you suss out one meter, another one takes its place. "The pen won't stay the demon's wings".
Punks were absolutely the last people anyone in Yes ever gave even an instant's thought to when they were making music.
This is kind of like saying Lou Reed's "Metal Machine Music" showcased everything that progressive rock fans hated about punk.
@mcfate
Agreed. I actually credit bands like YES and the "rock aristocracy" of the era with pushing punk forward. It was a direct response to rock's musical (and economic) elitism and over-indulgences.
Metal Machine Music - it also showcased everything Lou Reed hated about everything.