TALES FROM TOPOGRAPHIC OCEANS

Pretentiousness and amazing technical abilities are some words that sum up Yes' musical career and Tales From Topographic Oceans summarize every single point of that. Following the cement performance of Close to the Edge, Yes kicks it up a notch with this very ambitious, and I mean very ambitious performance. Tales From Topographic Oceans is a sprawling 2 side LP and is packed full with 4 large epics, which are nothing sort of spectacular. The incredible musicianship, the talent, the use of different instruments on Ritual are some of the things I can say, but other than that, I can say one word- amazing.

Revealing science kicks off this amazing 2 LP album with the traditional Yes song, perhaps one of my favorite all-time Yes songs, very concrete and filled with a great solo by Rick Wakeman and great instrumental passages.

Remembering is by far one of the most complex 70s Prog songs of all-time, with its amazing structure, technicality and beautifully crafted lyrics reminds me of a beautiful, lush landscape that is printed out on the dazzling cover. Easily Yes at its best.

The Ancient is heavily weighed by many as a track that is almost all filler, but I disagree with that idea. The track serves its purpose with Yes' great performance and beautiful atmopsheric sounds. The track constantly reminds me of Pink Floyd at times and the soft sound really rings out. This track is the "weakest" of the Tales tracks, but it seems that all sides of Tales are very good.

The album ends with Ritual, on Side 2 of LP 2. It is a great finisher, with the typical Yes instrumental passages, added with the usual great chorus. Another great song and probably the best Yes album ender.

Tales might be ripe with distaste and controversy, but I find Tales from Topographic Oceans a refreshing, experimental project. It definitely ranks up there among the best 70s Symphonic Prog albums of the 70s.

Revealing- 97% Remembering- 97% The Ancient- 90% Ritual- 93%

Overall- 94%