TALES FROM TOPOGRAPHIC OCEANS

"Tales from Topographic Oceans" has everything and seems appetizing for every progressive rock fan: four pieces of 20 minutes long, strange names, mysterious title and a superb art cover (always!) by Roger Dean... And the follow up to their masterpiece, the epic "Close to the Edge". Difficult to resist...

However, after the catchy first minutes of "The Revealing Science Of God", the whole disc starts a mad enterprise. The tracks are filled with nonsense, chaotic vocals, inappropriate musical changements without transitions... Just too difficult, too complex to follow... The tracks could have been divided, there would not have been a great difference, but here pieces of themes are just assembled together to "make a 20 minutes suite"... If you're in the appropriate mood, "The Revealing Science Of God" and "Ritual - Nous Sommes Du Soleil" are good. The other two tracks are more ambient.

This controversial album gathers nearly all the elements which make people hermetic to progressive rock. After several listens, it reveals however some nice passages. If you are new to YES or progressive rock, do not start with this album. "Close to the Edge" or "Relayer" are a much better choice.

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