Rate The Album 1-10: Yes "Tales"
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URL: http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=123237
Printed Date: July 17 2025 at 23:13
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Topic: Rate The Album 1-10: Yes "Tales"
Posted By: Frenetic Zetetic
Subject: Rate The Album 1-10: Yes "Tales"
Date Posted: June 16 2020 at 05:29
 No half or quarter points; whole points only!
GO! ------------- "I am so prog, I listen to concept albums on shuffle." -KMac2021 |
Replies:
Posted By: Cristi
Date Posted: June 16 2020 at 05:44
| 8/10 |
Posted By: chopper
Date Posted: June 16 2020 at 06:06
| I'll give it a 9 |
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: June 16 2020 at 06:22
I'll give the album a 9 out of 10 on the topographical scale too. 
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Posted By: dougmcauliffe
Date Posted: June 16 2020 at 06:26
Tales is my favorite yes album. The first two songs are 10/10 for me, absolute perfection. #3 is probably an 8-8.5 and #4 is probably a 9. So I vote 9 on this poll, but I round up to 5 stars for my progarchives album rating ------------- The sun has left the sky... ...Now you can close your eyes |
Posted By: Sagichim
Date Posted: June 16 2020 at 06:29
| 7 = Good album. |
Posted By: twosteves
Date Posted: June 16 2020 at 06:56
| 9/10--its not perfect but just listened to it from begging to end and if you are in the right mood it is sublime--so rich so many sounds such great playing (especially Howe) very moving and for sure epic. |
Posted By: SteveG
Date Posted: June 16 2020 at 06:58
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Number nine, number nine, number nine... ------------- This message was brought to you by a proud supporter of the Deep State. |
Posted By: M27Barney
Date Posted: June 16 2020 at 07:01
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If Nadia comanec's gusset was worth 10 points so was TFTO... ------------- Play me my song.....Here it comes again....... |
Posted By: someone_else
Date Posted: June 16 2020 at 07:04
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The Revealing Science of God: 5.5-6* The Remembering: 4.5 The Ancient: 8 Ritual: 2 That makes it 5/10 (in the range 2-2.5 stars). * The rating for this song is lowered a bit because some synthscape was added ahead of the glorious vocal intro in later releases.
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Posted By: Tom Ozric
Date Posted: June 16 2020 at 07:33
| I cant help but award it a 10 out of 10. Magnificent album !! |
Posted By: M27Barney
Date Posted: June 16 2020 at 07:47
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I can remember reading some of the reviews in the musical press that I got hold of in the late 70's...shameful attacks by no-nowt critics who just wanted something to dance round their handbags to. Bet one of em waa mickys dad...😎 ------------- Play me my song.....Here it comes again....... |
Posted By: VianaProghead
Date Posted: June 16 2020 at 08:01
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It's simply one of my favourite albums of Yes. So, it has a very high rating, 9/10.
------------- "PROG IS MY FERRARI". Jem Godfrey (Frost*) |
Posted By: miamiscot
Date Posted: June 16 2020 at 08:29
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My favorite LP of all time. Any band. Any era. Any genre. Perfect Ten!!! ------------- The Prog Corner |
Posted By: Mormegil
Date Posted: June 16 2020 at 09:39
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Giving it a "5". It has its moments. ------------- Welcome to the middle of the film. |
Posted By: Enchant X
Date Posted: June 16 2020 at 10:59
8/10 ... had it been a single album with all the best parts condensed to one single album it could have been a 10/10 
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Posted By: Braka1
Date Posted: June 16 2020 at 11:05
That's pretty much how I feel, and I gave it 8, too. Though I was tempted to go to 9, on the basis that I have always suspected I just haven't tried hard enough to get into it, or that there's some other failure on my part. In the end though, I can only really go with the response I have, not the one I wish I had. ------------- Believe me Pope Paul, my toes are clean |
Enchant X wrote:Posted By: octopus-4
Date Posted: June 16 2020 at 11:42
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I like it but it has some flaws, so it's a 7. ------------- I stand with Roger Waters, I stand with Joan Baez, I stand with Victor Jara, I stand with Woody Guthrie. Music is revolution |
Posted By: Man With Hat
Date Posted: June 16 2020 at 11:46
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7/10 feels good ------------- Dig me...But don't...Bury me I'm running still, I shall until, one day, I hope that I'll arrive Warning: Listening to jazz excessively can cause a laxative effect. |
Posted By: gr8dane
Date Posted: June 16 2020 at 12:22
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4.1 for each side. ------------- Shake & bake. |
Posted By: Squonk19
Date Posted: June 16 2020 at 14:15
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8 out of 10. It would have been an easy 9 if the filler material was trimmed, especially much of The Ancient' ------------- Living in their pools, they soon forget about the sea. |
Posted By: richardh
Date Posted: June 16 2020 at 14:50
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6/10 not terrible
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Posted By: Libor10
Date Posted: June 16 2020 at 17:00
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One of Yes best record IMO. I've always loved it and 10/10 is the only rating I could give it. ------------- 
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Posted By: Frenetic Zetetic
Date Posted: June 16 2020 at 17:51
The Revealing Science of God is one of the best, most complete YES tracks EVER. sh*t is straight up legend status, no hyperbole. Tales gets better with age IMHO. It gets a much-deserved 10/10 from me.
Any band. Any era. Any genre. Perfect Ten!!! My Tales shirt just came in today, I'll take a pic and post it in this very thread tomorrow! ------------- "I am so prog, I listen to concept albums on shuffle." -KMac2021 |
Posted By: AFlowerKingCrimson
Date Posted: June 16 2020 at 19:41
| I gave it an 8 out of ten. I think it's stronger than most albums after it but not as strong as the few before it. I definitely see where Rick Wakeman was coming from when he famously said it had too much padding. There are some moments that seem to drag out a bit, some that are maybe overdeveloped and some sections that overstay their welcome. Apparently the band didn't really have enough time to really work with the album and maybe edit certain sections or whatever. As it is though it still has some of the band's most adventurous and daring material(imo surpassed only by relayer)and is still a pretty strong effort all things considered. I suppose to some degree it's the kind of album that has to grow on you. |
Posted By: Machinemessiah
Date Posted: June 16 2020 at 20:13
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8 out of 10. Some songs become a bit dull, mellow or repetitive at the middle toward the end. Other than that, masterpiece! love it.
I concur, hate it! and agree on the 'glorious' part  |
Posted By: Catcher10
Date Posted: June 16 2020 at 20:29
That's my perception also........ -------------   
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Posted By: AFlowerKingCrimson
Date Posted: June 16 2020 at 20:41
If you guys are referring to the ambient part before the chanting that starts TRSOG then that's not just something added on later editions. It was how the album was originally intended but was left off the original version due to time constraints.
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Posted By: King of Loss
Date Posted: June 16 2020 at 20:43
| 9-9.5/10 |
Posted By: Machinemessiah
Date Posted: June 16 2020 at 21:12
I thought the former.. perhaps I dislike it a bit less now
..anyway good to know!  |
Posted By: iluvmarillion
Date Posted: June 16 2020 at 21:26
Bravo, keep the 10's coming in.
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Posted By: Progmind
Date Posted: June 16 2020 at 23:51
| 5/10 Regular album, some parts are great and others boring and autoindulgent as hell |
Posted By: M27Barney
Date Posted: June 17 2020 at 00:47
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Right...in symphonic prog, length is everything (just ask your wife)...the restored version is magnificent and even the weird drumming part of ritual sort of prepares the pallatte for the soaring guitar section that precededs the reprised theme. No if buts or excuses, if you don't appreciate the four movements then you are not a symphonic prog fan. Get over it, don't rate it and get back to listening to Duke or Abacab.... ------------- Play me my song.....Here it comes again....... |
Posted By: dougmcauliffe
Date Posted: June 17 2020 at 05:04
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The results here continue to show that this is the most polarizing album in prog history ------------- The sun has left the sky... ...Now you can close your eyes |
Posted By: Blacksword
Date Posted: June 17 2020 at 05:12
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7/10 Revealing Science of God is up there with CTTE, but the rest of the album could have been condensed into one very good side IMO. Not a popular view, I know. ------------- Ultimately bored by endless ecstasy! |
Posted By: someone_else
Date Posted: June 17 2020 at 05:21
One of the most polarizing albums, for sure. But I would not draw this conclusion before similar polls have been launched for Pawn Hearts and Larks' Tongues in Aspic (which are both 7/10 i.m.h.o.).
Apparently the prog community has its own Kimmies...
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Posted By: Manuel
Date Posted: June 17 2020 at 06:09
| 8/10 for sure. |
Posted By: dougmcauliffe
Date Posted: June 17 2020 at 06:24
I think what's interesting here is that the rating distribution is pretty even and has a considerable range. I feel like both those bands you mentioned can be acquired tastes but i'd bet that most the ratings would be in the upper echelon. What's always been unique about tales is that it's by a pretty much universally loved band in the prog community but it's still very controversial and feelings are very mixed on it ranging from "this is the best thing ever" to "I cant stand this garbage" ------------- The sun has left the sky... ...Now you can close your eyes |
Posted By: AFlowerKingCrimson
Date Posted: June 17 2020 at 06:51
| Maybe it's one of the most polarizing prog albums but I wouldn't say Yes is the most polarizing band. That award goes to Magma with Gentle Giant the runner up. |
Posted By: M27Barney
Date Posted: June 17 2020 at 07:01
I have the entire back catalogue of Magma in my listen to cupboard, it keeps drumming at me like something out of Jumanji...so.perhaps thats why I have been afraid to lend an ear...I may end up in a nightmare... ------------- Play me my song.....Here it comes again....... |
Posted By: Frenetic Zetetic
Date Posted: June 17 2020 at 07:38
I'll do a ?/10 poll thread for those two records next; let's see what the current consensus is on those bad boys!
Nah man I'd say that's actually a somewhat common opinion! TRSoG is one of the best, most complete Yes tracks ever. Many feel there's too much "padding" on the rest of the record. This is absolutely understandable. I'm such a Yes nerd, I always loved the album simply because it was more Yes music. Many thought the album dragged; I saw it as an extra helping/serving of the awesomeness that is Yes!
I was actually under the impression that there was way, way more a positive reception than expected on this one. So far 8/10 is the highest voted poll option. Not bad at all for an average thus far! ------------- "I am so prog, I listen to concept albums on shuffle." -KMac2021 |
Posted By: I prophesy disaster
Date Posted: June 17 2020 at 08:01
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Some time ago, I said that Tales is the audio equivalent of painting by numbers. It does have its moments, but it also has its other moments... 5/10. ------------- No, I know how to behave in the restaurant now, I don't tear at the meat with my hands. If I've become a man of the world somehow, that's not necessarily to say I'm a worldly man. |
Posted By: M27Barney
Date Posted: June 17 2020 at 08:28
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If yes had produced TFTO in the cd era, I reckon that a two disc releaae with a 20 minute overture on each disc..one for shrutis and suritis and the other for puranas and tantras....how good would that have been eh? ------------- Play me my song.....Here it comes again....... |
Posted By: digdug
Date Posted: June 17 2020 at 08:52
Right, so Rick Wakeman is not a Symphonic prog fan then. For the record, I don't particularly like Tales but I love Symphonic Prog. ------------- Prog On! |
Posted By: Lewian
Date Posted: June 17 2020 at 08:53
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3/10; I tried often enough but nothing of it ever stays with me. |
Posted By: Frenetic Zetetic
Date Posted: June 17 2020 at 08:55
The funny part is there are cassette tape pressings of TFTO; they're all over eBay lol. ------------- "I am so prog, I listen to concept albums on shuffle." -KMac2021 |
Posted By: M27Barney
Date Posted: June 17 2020 at 13:22
Wakeman was just narked because all of the music was written by Howe/Anderson on tour in Japan. He is possibly underused on the double album but he is part of a fine peice of music and can be proud of some of his moog and mellotron work which is sublime. Anybody who claims to be symphonic prog fan and dimisses it's paradigm exemplar is clearly missing the point. Its like claiming to be a vegan whilst tucking into a large steak and dismissing a nut cutlet as tasteless... ------------- Play me my song.....Here it comes again....... |
Posted By: dwill123
Date Posted: June 17 2020 at 15:24
| I gave it a vote of '1' because there was no selection of '0'. |
Posted By: Progmind
Date Posted: June 17 2020 at 15:27
1 - I asked my wife and she agrees with me, music its not science or dogma, it is art, we are glad you like "Tales.." a lot, in my case i bought it 30 years ago and i still have it because its cover art its beautiful, but never click on me, for me Tales and works by ELP are possibly the most pretentious, long - winded, boring, self indulgent and meandering symphonic album ever recorded. For me, the only great song its "The revealing Science of God", the rest do nothing for me, and the lyrics are outrageous. In my opinion its a regular album (5/10), i Prefer by miles CTTE, Fragile, Relayer, The Yes Album, Time and Word, Drama 2 - I prefer Bruford in King Crimson and in his solo works, Earthworks its great 3 - "in symphonic prog, length is everything" no way, i totally disagree, listen "The Advent of Panurge", "think of me with Kindness" by Gentle Giant, "Things I donīt understand" and "Running Hard" by Renaissance, "Ice" by Camel, "Roundabout" by Yes and the list go on... none of those songs reaches 10 minutes and they are complex and symphonic. 4 - "if you don't appreciate the four movements then you are not a symphonic prog fan"   this type of sentence reminds me one of the silliest phrases ever by the band Manowar "If you donīt like Heavy Metal you arenīt my friend"5 - "Get over it, don't rate it and get back to listening to Duke or Abacab....". I think Abacab its awful, "Duke" i judge like a well craft 80īs pop album (6/10) not symphonic prog rock, if i want to ear pop i prefer baroque pop like The Left Banke, Scott Walker or the Mandrake Memorial, ill recommend you. Cheers
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Posted By: micky
Date Posted: June 17 2020 at 17:21
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hmmm.. another one hard to rate... not their best album... but what it was was not merely their greatest artistic statement.. it was prog's greatest statement. Everything that prog aspired to be... was leading up to.. was this album. Thus after this album.. prog started the slide toward becoming a parody of itself for this one was the pinacle of prog rock. an easy 10... a vast thematic musical soundscape painted by the only group really talented and creative enough to have carried it off.
------------- The Pedro and Micky Experience - When one no longer requires psychotropics to trip |
Posted By: Frenetic Zetetic
Date Posted: June 17 2020 at 21:58
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This last page has the polarization I think we were all looking for, lol. ------------- "I am so prog, I listen to concept albums on shuffle." -KMac2021 |
Posted By: iluvmarillion
Date Posted: June 18 2020 at 00:34
I wrote a review that it's jazz rock. I'll go and tear up my review now.
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Posted By: richardh
Date Posted: June 18 2020 at 00:40
Tull - Thick as a Brick
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Posted By: iluvmarillion
Date Posted: June 18 2020 at 00:57
Can we also have TAAB in the next poll? I'll give my usual 10/10.
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Posted By: M27Barney
Date Posted: June 18 2020 at 01:38
Wasn't expecting that! Thought you would give 2/10...  ------------- Play me my song.....Here it comes again....... |
Posted By: M27Barney
Date Posted: June 18 2020 at 01:40
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Like Andy Tillison, I remember (in detail) the day I bought the double vinyl from Robinsons Records in Manchester in 1981. October 23rd to be precise...👍 ------------- Play me my song.....Here it comes again....... |
Posted By: Dellinger
Date Posted: June 18 2020 at 17:51
| 7 out of 10 seems right. It feels like it's one of those larger than rock albums, something that goes beyond a simple piece of rock, but it seems I'm not ready for it. |
Posted By: Earl of Mar
Date Posted: June 19 2020 at 07:54
| For me a disappointment after the greatness of CTTE. It has grown on me in time but still only a 6/10. |
Posted By: dr wu23
Date Posted: June 19 2020 at 08:02
Who are you....and what did you do with the real Micky?  Side 1 is pretty good......2,3,and 4 should have been cut down to fit a 3 movement second side....end of story. ------------- One does nothing yet nothing is left undone. Haquin |
Posted By: BrufordFreak
Date Posted: June 19 2020 at 08:12
I would take your argument one step further and say that this was THE album that started the slide in which prog became a parody of itself. Too much, too far. The world at large wasn't ready, wasn't open enough to receive this information, was, in fact, ready to reject this hippy-dippy woo-woo stuff. Plus, you really can tell that Rick was not into it (though, I think, Steve was). ------------- Drew Fisher https://progisaliveandwell.blogspot.com/ |
Posted By: satanellus
Date Posted: June 19 2020 at 18:30
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I can't remember not having a deep fondness for Tales, at least not since I began listening to Yes in the late '70s. I've often considered it my favourite album over the last 40 odd years. It was the album I was listening to after hearing of Squire's passing. I remember sitting in the car on a bright sunny winter day, exchanging messages of lament with my brother, listening to Squire's sublime bass on Ritual. From being a touchstone of my youth, a consistent well of pleasure throughout my adulthood, Tales now also carries an intangible poignancy.
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Posted By: Olape
Date Posted: June 20 2020 at 12:59
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10/10... my favorite Yes album. ------------- 
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Posted By: Upbeat Tango Monday
Date Posted: June 30 2020 at 07:23
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A monumental achievement 10/10 ------------- Two random guys agreed to shake hands. Just Because. They felt like it, you know. It was an agreement of sorts...a random agreement. |
Posted By: chopper
Date Posted: June 30 2020 at 08:08
I agree, Grumpy Rick's playing on TFTO is brilliant, particularly the first 2 sides.
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Posted By: Dopeydoc
Date Posted: July 03 2020 at 14:42
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8. |
Posted By: thief
Date Posted: July 07 2020 at 03:33
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What a strange album to rate. The promise is 10 (nothing is more promising then prime Yes coming up with a double album). The best moments are 10. The dullest? Fives or so. Sometimes I think I just don't get it so I should wait... Other times I say to myself, "how many tries do you need really?". I think I'd rate it 7, but it could maybe go up one day.
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