Love for Tales from Topographic Oceans - Progressive Rock Music Forum

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zeqexes

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Posted: February 02 2013 at 17:37

I haven't yet heard this Yes album (apart from the first few minutes of Ritual), but reading all these positive comments makes me very excited for when I do eventually buy it Big smile

The Mystical View Drop Down

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Posted: February 02 2013 at 17:42

I have a question... what does the line "Getting over overhanging trees, let them rape the forest" mean? Everybody says that this is an incredible line and I am not sure why.

cstack3

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Posted: February 02 2013 at 18:43

The Mystical wrote:

I have a question... what does the line "Getting over overhanging trees, let them rape the forest" mean? Everybody says that this is an incredible line and I am not sure why.

Jon Anderson pretty much spells it out here:

http://www.audioholics.com/news/editorials/musicians-corner/jon-anderson-interview

"The Earth Mother is all powerful and nature will always, always have control. We are just here for the journey and we need to work more in understanding we are connected so much to Mother Earth. Whatever we do to Mother Earth, we do to ourselves."

...in other words, let 'em rape Mother Nature, she'll get back at them later!

Edited by cstack3 - February 02 2013 at 21:27

infocat

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Posted: February 02 2013 at 19:12

I had no idea what the second half of that line was!

--
Frank Swarbrick
Belief is not Truth.

Revolution666 View Drop Down

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Posted: February 02 2013 at 20:36

I've never really understood what people had against that album. It's one of my favorites, if not my favorite.

ProgMetaller2112 View Drop Down

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Posted: February 02 2013 at 21:45

zeqexes wrote:

I haven't yet heard this Yes album (apart from the first few minutes of Ritual), but reading all these positive comments makes me very excited for when I do eventually buy it Big smile

buy it as soon as you can Big smile

Edited by ProgMetaller2112 - February 02 2013 at 21:46

“War is peace.

Freedom is slavery.

Ignorance is strength.”

― George Orwell, Nineteen Eighty-Four

"Ignorance and Prejudice and Fear walk Hand in Hand"- Neil Peart

Dayvenkirq View Drop Down

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Posted: February 02 2013 at 22:35

Don't get too excited. You should know everything about its reputation. It's pretty much the album that strongly divided Yes fans.

Some say it's boring and it's (allow me to paraphrase it) too epic, and I understand that. It's Mother Nature's fault. Surprisingly, it took me about three listens to get the album.

Edited by Dayvenkirq - February 02 2013 at 22:37

ProgMetaller2112 View Drop Down

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Posted: February 02 2013 at 23:10

It hooked me the first listen Big smile

“War is peace.

Freedom is slavery.

Ignorance is strength.”

― George Orwell, Nineteen Eighty-Four

"Ignorance and Prejudice and Fear walk Hand in Hand"- Neil Peart

zeqexes

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Posted: February 02 2013 at 23:12

Dayvenkirq wrote:

Yeah, I know that, about how some fans dismiss it as boring and very inconsistent. However, I'd like to listen to it with a fresh and positive mind so that I can enjoy it as much as possible (if that makes sense).

Dayvenkirq View Drop Down

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Posted: February 02 2013 at 23:22

^ Way to go, then. Have a ball. Smile

Dawn of the light lying between a silence and sold sources, chased amid fusions of wonder, in moments hardly seen forgotten.

Edited by Dayvenkirq - February 02 2013 at 23:23

KingCrInuYasha View Drop Down

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Posted: February 03 2013 at 00:01

I've only listened to it twice since I got it a couple of months ago, the second being earlier today. It's an okay record, but, for the moment, I don't think the tracks are quite as well structured as "Close To The Edge", "The Gates Of Delirium" or even "Awaken".

There are parts that I like, so I'm willing to give the album several more spins.

He looks at this world and wants it all... so he strikes, like Thunderball!

ProgMetaller2112 View Drop Down

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Posted: February 03 2013 at 01:56

Dayvenkirq wrote:

^ Way to go, then. Have a ball. Smile

Dawn of the light lying between a silence and sold sources, chased amid fusions of wonder, in moments hardly seen forgotten.

that opening line is LOL

but in a good way Big smile

Edited by ProgMetaller2112 - February 03 2013 at 01:56

“War is peace.

Freedom is slavery.

Ignorance is strength.”

― George Orwell, Nineteen Eighty-Four

"Ignorance and Prejudice and Fear walk Hand in Hand"- Neil Peart

Tom Ozric

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Posted: February 03 2013 at 02:31

Tales From Topographic Oceans - from the amazing R.D. cover art, to the most inspired, truly cosmic adventure which awaits the listener contained within it - simply breath-taking. Took many listens to 'get it', but loved it from the moment I heard it.

Funny story here - a friend of mine caught a Wakeman gig many years ago - he took his copy of Topographic hoping for Rick to sign it. Rick's response when presented with said album ??? "I'm not signing that sh*t !"

I don't know what was Rick's disinterest in this album - it features some of his most amazing keyboarding - luscious mellotrons, choice mini-moog solos and I love that Portative Organ (?) on 'The Remembering (High the Memory)'.

Truly insane percussives featured on 'The Ancient (Giants Under The Sun)'. The mad middle section of 'Ritual (Nous Sommes Du Soleil)'. I could go on. Superb album.

Oh, did some Eloy fans here notice that drummer Jim Magillivray used some chunks of lyrics on the opening cut of the album 'Colours' verbatim??? He probably thought no one would notice.......

......... this is in the fifth verse of the song 'Horizons' - Dawn of ight lies between silence, Chased amid fusions of wonder - I know great minds think alike, but this.......??

cstack3

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Posted: February 03 2013 at 05:57

This interview with Rick Wakeman is very much required reading for Yes fans! He provides some key insights into TFTO...

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1045969/Yes-original-Spinal-Tap-says-Rick-Wakeman-Seventies-prog-rock-supergroup.html#ixzz1Ss5rspNu

Chris S

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Posted: February 03 2013 at 06:02

TFTO irrespective of Wakeman is one of the finest musical creations....

<font color=Brown>Music - The Sound Librarian

...As I venture through the slipstream, between the viaducts in your dreams...[/COLOR]

Dayvenkirq View Drop Down

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Posted: February 03 2013 at 14:20

ProgMetaller2112 wrote:

Dayvenkirq wrote:

^ Way to go, then. Have a ball. Smile

Dawn of the light lying between a silence and sold sources, chased amid fusions of wonder, in moments hardly seen forgotten.

that opening line is LOL

but in a good way Big smile

Another case of "weird".

HolyMoly

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Posted: February 03 2013 at 16:10

Getting over overhanging trees, let them rape the forest

My other avatar is a Porsche

It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle if it is lightly greased.

-Kehlog Albran

H_To_He

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Posted: February 03 2013 at 20:14

Considering that it was basically my introduction to prog outside of Rush and Pink Floyd, Yes' Close to the Edge is definitely my favorite Yes album. In fact, it's definitely in my top five, along with Rush's A Farewell to Kings, Tull's Heavy Horses, VDGG's Pawn Hearts, and Gentle Giant's The Power and the Glory.

But this thread isn't about Close to the Edge.

I do love and hold a special place in my heart for Tales from Topographic Oceans. For me, it's definitely the fullest "concept" that Yes has ever done, and for that it gains extra respect from me. It's one of those albums that I'm not always in the mood for, but when I am in the mood for it, I might listen to it four or five times in a row before I want to hear something else. It's a journey, for sure, and a "can't miss" album, along with the rest of Yes' classic period (I'd say Fragile through Going for the One, although I think one could make a good case for The Yes Album as well.) Even later Yes, (I'd say post-Going For the One) is still fantastic, as is their earlier (i.e. pre-Fragile) output. In fact, I'm listening to their self-titled debut right now, and it's amazingly competent, even spectacular, for a debut album-I've always thought of it as having splashes of Beatles influence/similarity here or there (and of course, we've all heard their not-so-subtle nod to "Day Tripper" on "Every Little Thing,") but even at this early stage they already had that unique "Yes-ness" that keeps bringing me back to them.

But, of course, this thread isn't about Yes' self-titled debut LP.

Vin776

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Posted: February 04 2013 at 08:31

Hello

Trying to make friends here - Read your post about Yes with great interest. Close To The Edge and Passion Play are my favorite concept albums. Really miss this creative period.

My band was almost famous and very influenced by Tull, Yes and even early Queen

Do me a favor? Check us out at www.reverbnation.com/thestoryofbluebeard and play Bad Dream for starters and maybe Here I Am. I am writing an eBook and would welcome some input.

Best, Vincent Bitetti. Guitarist. Bluebeard from Los Angeles

Vincent Bitetti - Video Game & Media Consultant (and prog rock musician)

Dayvenkirq View Drop Down

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Posted: February 04 2013 at 10:06

Please, don't advertise your band in several irrelevant places. There's a special lounge for that.