TALES FROM TOPOGRAPHIC OCEANS

There must be some missunderstanding ("Genesis"!!) out there; True artists create their music, poems or paintings without asking for permission concerning measurements. I've rarely heardcomments on the time used by Beethoven in a symphony ("-Sorry boy, we have to expel you from the Vienna school"), or the inches used by Monet in a canvas? ("-Oh, is that really an impressionist?") It is not by definition that "prog tunes are abnormally long". They could be like 15 seconds as well, and still be masterpieces. A true artist uses the time that he/she needs to express what's essential. Britney Spears, on the other hand, sings a song that is put in her hand. ...And it must keep to a format for several different commercial and practical reasons. So please accept the terrible progboys in Yes and say "Thank you" for "Topographic Oceans". This music cycle might amuse or thrill you, comfort or please you. And, not even on the sleeve you can read how long it is. If you have the original vinyls, however, you can see how long the resp. four parts are. Does it make you more happy? Not me - I just love the music. So does Gustav Mahler, I suppose.