TALES FROM TOPOGRAPHIC OCEANS

There's no question this is the most ambitious recording of YES' careers.The first time I heard it I didn't want to listen to it again. I mean two albums worth of meandering music that lacked melody ? Sure this is YES, and they are all brilliant players, but the compositions are far from being brilliant. It reminded me of how everyone praises TALK TALK's "Laughing Stock" record that is so minimilstic, while the more melodic "The Colour Of Spring" takes a back seat. We all have different tastes and ideas as to what is good and what isn't I suppose. I did play this double album again, and again, and again but still feel this is nothing but Howe and Anderson indulging themeselves. I mean they played this entire 80 minutes worth of music when touring to support this album ! Rick Wakeman was so tired of playing it live he left the band after the tour. Still I can understand and appreciate the 4 and 5 star ratings for this sprawling concept recording. In fact I like certain parts of it a lot, especially Howe's input and Wakeman's mellotron play which is all over these four songs.

Highlights for me are the drumming by White after 6 minutes in "The Revealing Science Of God". Also as I mentioned earlier the guitar work of Howe and the mellotron from Wakeman on this song is outstanding. I just don't like the song. "The Remembering" is boring early but does have a lot of spacey sections.

"The Ancient" is led by guitar and percusion early and later 10 1/2 minutes in. Some nice intricate guitar melodies follow. Howe again shines after 17 minutes. "Ritual" has some heavy bass from Squire. I like the way the song builds to a climax with an instrumental section to follow. White solos 15 minutes in. Mellotron follows while White still pounds away. Mellotron ends it. This is my favourite track on here.

So I guess i'm not sold on this one, but that's ok because these guys have so many amazing records that I do love.