TALES FROM TOPOGRAPHIC OCEANS

Yes

Symphonic Prog

3.92 | 2774 ratings

From Progarchives.com, the ultimate progressive rock music website

prog058

An intelligent listeners masterpiece, or a great band being far too pretentious?

I take the former view. Although I don't believe it is quite as good as Fragile or Close to the Edge, it is very different from these former albums. It is a concept album for one. It is twice as long as the former two. The song writing is somewhat different. The sections aren't so readily definable. It begins with a kind a perpetual flowing melody with Jon Anderson and Steve Howe. Contrary to first listen, the songs are extremely well structured, and main sections recur multiple times throughout the movements.

I quite admire Yes for releasing an album such as this at their peak. Right after what is arguably the greatest prog album of all time. It cannot be argued that some of the vocal melodies and harmonies are some of the greatest of any Yes album.

I think the final movement, Ritual, is the best on the album. It progresses from one great musical section to the next. One has to listen to this album with patience to find what is beautiful inside it.

5 stars.

prog058 | 5/5 | 2010-3-29

MEMBERS LOGIN ZONE

As a registered member (register here if not), you can post rating/reviews (& edit later), comments reviews and submit new albums.

You are not logged, please complete authentication before continuing (use forum credentials).

Share this YES review

Social review comments () BETA

Review related links

Send comments to prog058
Report this review (#275407)
Buy YES music online with PA partners
Show all YES MP3/Stream
Go to YES page for videos, full discography with ratings, reviews and much more
Go to Tales from Topographic Oceans page for more details, where to buy and ratings/reviews
Search the Forum for YES related discussions