TALES FROM TOPOGRAPHIC OCEANS

Yes

Symphonic Prog

3.92 | 2774 ratings

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Ah, the controvrsial "Tales". Definitly one of the oddest albums out there in the context of format (two LP's containg four side-long epics). A little over done and drawn out in many places

As manyy have said, a little overblown but it's an album you have to listen to several times. I've given it three shots and I've grown some appericiation for the music.

The best track is the first epic on the album "Revealing Science of God". Great synth in here and the lyrics are as the band described them "An ever opening flower". There are so many layers to you could write a book (and the song is long enough to). The most accesible song here. The music is complex and shows a whole lot of effort was put into this album even though at some points it sound unimanginative

"The Remembering" is a little bland at first listen, but mostly because of the dreamy quality that Yes was trying to get across, one of those songs that "grows" on you

"The Ancients" is the weakest point and and almost useless track. Despite a few good solos, the length of this songs makes them not worth the wait.

"Ritual" is a good end to this epic of epics that is "Tales". A heavy song that redeems the album after the pointless "Ancients" and has some cool percussion. The bass is exceptional too. Lyrically, this song is excellent.

Pros: Controvrsial, so it's definitly prog, nice instrumentaion on sevral songs and the best lyrics comming from the band

Cons: LONG. You can't just sit down and listen to the songs on this album, unless you're trying to fall asleep. Nice listens when you have it on as background music

Four stars simply because Yes was creating music that they WANTed to make, not what record companies wanted (as I'm sure they weren't happy with this). That is essence of a true prog rock band, to play what you want, not to write radio friendly pop tunes

echoes2112 | 4/5 | 2006-5-24

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