TALES FROM TOPOGRAPHIC OCEANS

I've had a copy of Tales from Topographic Oceans essentially since I began listening to progressive rock about eight or so years ago. It was only recently however that I've finally been able to nail down my opinion of this album. It is one that I enjoy greatly and listen to on a fairly regular basis. I've always felt though, that it is in some way imperfect and have always vacillated in the face of giving it a five.

It was only in contemplating why I only gave the album I listen to the most (Cerulean Blue by Rain, odd choice I know) a four out of five that I came to the proper conclusion. Both albums are beautiful, soulful and incredibly well imagined, but both are so rich that they are diminished by their respective creators' largess. At times, when the mood is right, this album is certainly a five. From outside the distorting influence of audiophilic euphoria however, I believe a four is ultimately more appropriate. On that note, I'll leave you with a far more eloquent expression on additive subtraction.

"Perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away."

-Antoine De Saint-Exupery