TALES FROM TOPOGRAPHIC OCEANS

I entirely agree with the PA menber SILLY PUPPY in their review #1071234 about "Tales from Topographic Oceans" when he says "This double album that followed CLOSE TO THE EDGE had the unfortunate problem of being compared to the last album " and I want to add some other considerations: starting by "THE YES ALBUM" and "FRAGILE" also are in my opinion truly masterpieces, another point to consideration is "Tales ..." as the first studio album from YES without Bill Brufford replaced by Alan White (ex Plastic-Ono Band) a fact which make some purists make some reservations due the difference between Brufford's more "jazzy" style and White's most "rocker" approach ( in my point of view, perfectly fitting in YES musical context, including the "feat" of replace Brufford during Yessongs Tour). About the album, the mystic theme of lyrics and of musical landscapes make TFTO a magical album and in the track 1 "The Revealing Science Of God - Dance Of The Dawn" is a "whole band theme" with a slightly detach by the initial chorus counterpoint in a ascendent flow and the final eclosion in one of more recognized overture theme from YES a very beautiful track. The track 2 "The Remembering - High The Memory" is Wakeman's keyboard prominence track, although is "precious" some acoustic/electric guitar and bass (this last in the middle theme "Relayer..."). The track 3 is Howe's moment and the highlights goes to magistral "Leaves of Green" ... simply incomparable - one of masterpieces from acoustic guitar solo in all progressive rock story. The track 4 "Ritual - Nous Sommes Du Soleil" as Squire/White particular show ... between the best moments of the track I can cite the "fuzzed" Squire's bass solo, the percussion movement and the conclusion revisiting the first track theme. My rate is... without a trace of doubt is 5 stars !!!