TALES FROM TOPOGRAPHIC OCEANS

"Force the bit between the mouth of freedom didn't we learn to fly, Remember to sail the skies."

"Where does reason stop and killing just take over Does a lamb cry out before we shoot it dead?"

"We hear a sound and alter our returning We drift the shadows and course our way on home Flying home Going home"

Each quote is from each of the four songs and I include them to explain perfectly what this album is like. The albums lyrics are only influenced by Jon, he is the main focus of the album. I think not only to match the dynamic intensity of his voice is his lyrics. Each song focus' on the themes of self discovery, meeting, learning, and fighting. A very "earthy" feel they have, but I'm perfectly fine with that.

Without a doubt this is Yes' most mature(prog), album todate, and is what either "makes or breaks" the fans. If you can't tell which fan I am yet, it's the latter group. This album is what helped me fully understand all of Yes' others afterwards that always try to beat the technique, musically, lyrically, and progressively, but always succeed in failing. I put this album on the top of my Yes and prog list. My favorite song of all time is on this album, guess which one.

This album musically is just as fantastic as the lyrics and themes. The album helps explain the lyrics, so for the listener to fully understand the album's themes, you should focus on the music just as much as the vocals. This music is full of colors that Yes have not even painted with untill now. Any one who enjoyed that impacting opening sequence of Close to the Edge, with freestyle like soloing will most certainly worship "The Ancient", and this song has even more themes in it than any other Yes have ever done, the music is a clear evident of this.

I think the best way to approach this album would be to be already familiar with Yes' previous album, Close to the Edge, and if you like that album you're sure to love this one, just give it the time. I started numerically with the album, only listening to one song at a time, once I enjoy I let myself move on to the next song. It worked out fine within a few weeks and now I use this album for a bible, anytime I'm confused in life, I just give this baby a listen.

I recomend to only listen to all four peices when you have lots of attention to spend, and when you arn't distracted.

My favorite album ever and I recomend it to any Yes fan who knows a bit about prog already. Enjoy.

Nous sommes du soleil!

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