TALES FROM TOPOGRAPHIC OCEANS

It's been said a million times before. This is definitely one of the most controversial progressive albums ever. You either love it, hate it or can't form an opinion. I fall into the category of loving it. I mean, what's wrong with some of you people?! You'd think that after the brilliant Close to the Edge, people would want more epics. How can you be a fan a progressive music and not think this album is really cool?! I mean, even the idea is cool. A double album with four songs that are all 20 or so minute epics. That's just insane. Not to mention the artwork and the music itself. I guess I could understand if you have a short attention span, but then why are listening to prog?! It's definitely common for progressive music to have long epics. For those people, actually to everyone, it's best to listen to this album maybe one song at a time and then take a break between each song because it is a lot to digest. However, it's worthy of several listens and it's pretty memorable believe it or not, so it should sink it. Or, you could listen to the first three songs and then take a break and come back. I don't know. Before I go song by song, I'd just like to mention the great packaging and sound quality. It comes with some great artwork, lyrics, photos, biography of the band, etc. It also sounds great. Now, for the actual songs.

1. The Revealing Science of God (Dance of the Dawn)- Damn, isn't that such a cool title. Just read a few times and then you think to yourself, this is such a cool album without even listening to it yet. But anyway, this is such a great song and it probably the most famous. It's got a truly intense opening, but just make sure to turn up your volume because it's pretty quiet. Once it gets going you're hooked until the end. I mean, you kind of just have to hear it for yourself (and all of these songs for that matter) as it is quite hard to describe. I will say that this song has a great chorus and it just might be my favorite song off of this album. 10/10

2. The Remembering (High The Memory)- The first few seconds are slow, but then it picks up and slows down again. For the most part, this song is probably the slowest and can also be the hardest song to sit through, though it is great. I'm not positive, but I think that this is the song where it goes like, "And the flowering creativity of life.." but I'm not sure. Either way that part is intense. This is probably my second favorite song off of the album. 9/10

3. The Ancient (Giants Under the Sun)- After the loud cymbal introduction and stuff this song gets really catchy with some really cool sounds (I don't even know but i think it's some kind of percussion with keyboards) but after that there is nothing too special. This is probably my least favorite song on the album but it's still great. 8.5/10

4. Ritual (Nous Sommes Du Soleil)- I'm not so sure what language that it's in but whatever. This is one that I only took note of pretty recently. It tends to be overlooked because it's the only song on Disc 2, however, Yes played this one on Symphonic Yes (I think) and I heard it was pretty good so yeah. One of the reasons this is great is because it has the part that goes like, "Life seems like, life seems like, a fight!" but with it sounds awesome when Jon Anderson sings "Fight". It's truly great. It's my second or third favorite song on the album. I don't know, it's sort of caught in the middle. But since it tends to be neglected I guess this is a fair score. 9.5/10

I know I didn't go into much musical detail, but you really have to experience this album for yourself. Honestly, you should just buy it anyway even if you've heard conflicting opinions about this album. I'm sure there's something in these 80+ minutes of music that you'll like.