TALES FROM TOPOGRAPHIC OCEANS

I was introduced to Yes as a kid back in 1980 through this album. Off course it was too radical for me back then (consider I am a Bangladeshi-- and the only way we got rock music was through the people who bought these records abroad). I still have the double album (by the way, it says copyright 1973-- while in this forum, this record has been marked for 1974). There are so many negative reviews about this one and I do not agree with most of the negative observations. One should listen to this album keeping in mind that this is an exceptional example of extreme progressive rock in which you should expect to embark on an adventure of a lifetime. If you are pre-occupied with other affairs of life, don't listen to it. I agree with some negative remarks that the album could have been tightened at places. For instance, Revealing Science of God could have been better if it cut short some instrumental parts after 9 minutes and bring it down to 15 minutes-- instead of 20 minutes. The second piece, The Remembering, is highly underrated. Its a show-piece of Howe's elaborate works which I still enjoy after 25 years of listening to this album. The Ancient is rather a difficult piece to like instantly-- minus the acoustic part in the end. The Ritual grabs you right in the beginning and there is a general consensus that this is THE piece. I would also laud the high quality recording of this album. Back in the vinyl days, it delivered unbelievable sonic depth-- bass and rich texture of key boards. But above all, I vote the cover of the Tales as one of the best covers that impacts your mind. People who have not seen the cover before they have listened to this album will not get into the right mood to listen to it. This is an album that was made for you to wander around within your mind. Roger Dean did a nice job that leaves you mystified and prepares you to listen to it. Too bad, the CD covers are too small to have that impact.