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Joined: March 04 2008
Location: Retirement Home
Status: Offline
Points: 3658
Posted: November 21 2011 at 08:14
The reason why this album has got this reputation is that Rick Wakeman hated/hates it. Rick is very witty, vocal and influential. Vocal = outspoken here and he has given this album a lot of attention. Hence it's bad reputation if you get to the core of all the criticism. It is like peeling an onion, btw. I have not a bad word to say about Rick though.
Joined: April 27 2004
Location: Peru
Status: Offline
Points: 19535
Posted: November 21 2011 at 09:26
toroddfuglesteg wrote:
. I have not a bad word to say about Rick though.
I agree, he had some terrible alnbums. but he also had:
Six Wives
Journey to the Centre of the Earth
Myths & Legends
Criminal Record
No Earthly Connection
White Rock
1984
Black Knights at the Court of Ferdinand IV
Softsword (King John and the magna Carta)
Romance at the Victorian Age
Stella Bianca A La Corte de Re Ferdinando
Simply Acoustic
Return to the Centre of the Earth
Two Sides of Yes
The Wizard and the Forest of all Dreams
Any artist who has this number of great albums has the right to be listened...Very few artists only dream wit having this number of masterpieces or great albums.
iluvmarillion wrote:
Andy Tillison from The Tangent and the guys from Glass Hammer are just a few artists heavily influenced by TFTO. Just cause Wakeman doesn't like it doesn't invalidate it as a piece of Rock Art.
No, it's not because Wakeman said it, most of have our own opinions, we agree with Wakeman, but the problem existed long before Rick spoke.
I believe:
It's uneven
Extremely long
Painful vocals
Cheesy lyrics
To much filler
Iván
Edited by Ivan_Melgar_M - November 21 2011 at 09:31
Joined: March 23 2005
Location: Caerdydd
Status: Offline
Points: 32995
Posted: November 21 2011 at 09:46
Ivan_Melgar_M wrote:
toroddfuglesteg wrote:
. I have not a bad word to say about Rick though.
I agree, he had some terrible alnbums. but he also had:
Six Wives
Journey to the Centre of the Earth
Myths & Legends
Criminal Record
No Earthly Connection
White Rock
1984
Black Knights at the Court of Ferdinand IV
Softsword (King John and the magna Carta)
Romance at the Victorian Age
Stella Bianca A La Corte de Re Ferdinando
Simply Acoustic
Return to the Centre of the Earth
Two Sides of Yes
The Wizard and the Forest of all Dreams
Any artist who has this number of great albums has the right to be listened...Very few artists only dream wit having this number of masterpieces or great albums.
iluvmarillion wrote:
Andy Tillison from The Tangent and the guys from Glass Hammer are just a few artists heavily influenced by TFTO. Just cause Wakeman doesn't like it doesn't invalidate it as a piece of Rock Art.
No, it's not because Wakeman said it, most of have our own opinions, we agree with Wakeman, but the problem existed long before Rick spoke.
I believe:
It's uneven
Extremely long
Painful vocals
Cheesy lyrics
To much filler
Iván
I have to disagree with your definition of masterpiece and I'm not sure all those you list are great. Neverheless I love Rick, admire him, but don't feel compelled to agree with him.
As for you TOTO comments.
1. It isn't uneven...well it is, but all great music is otherwise it's a wall of noise.
2. Not extremely. A CD full?
3. What?
4. I have problems with the phrase cheesy so no comment.
5. To much or not to much? That is the question. Well I don't hear any filler so I guess it's personal. I suppose you could say Beethoven had to much filler.
Joined: April 27 2004
Location: Peru
Status: Offline
Points: 19535
Posted: November 21 2011 at 10:20
Snow Dog: If you have a problem with the word cheesy...This si chjeesy:
Maybe I'll just sing awhile And then give you a call/quote Maybe I'll just say hello And say maybe that's all Hurry home as love is true Will help us through the night
Or this:
Look me my love sentences move dancing away We join we receive As our song memories long hope in a way
Pure gouda.
Snow Dog wrote:
1. It isn't uneven...well it is, but all great music is otherwise it's a wall of noise.
Lol I know it, but I'm talking of 45 good minutes of music and 45 minutes of mediocre music.
Iván
Edited by Ivan_Melgar_M - November 21 2011 at 10:22
Joined: March 23 2005
Location: Caerdydd
Status: Offline
Points: 32995
Posted: November 21 2011 at 10:44
Ivan_Melgar_M wrote:
Snow Dog: If you have a problem with the word cheesy...This si chjeesy:
Maybe I'll just sing awhile And then give you a call/quote Maybe I'll just say hello And say maybe that's all Hurry home as love is true Will help us through the night
Or this:
Look me my love sentences move dancing away We join we receive As our song memories long hope in a way
Pure gouda.
I guess cheeseyness must be a matter of opinion because neither of those seem it to me. Of course maybe I don't understand the meaning.
Joined: October 23 2010
Location: Netherlands
Status: Offline
Points: 40
Posted: November 21 2011 at 11:27
Ivan_Melgar_M wrote:
Maybe I'll just sing awhile And then give you a call Maybe I'll just say hello And say maybe that's all Hurry home as love is true Will help us through the night
I actually always really liked those lines, to me it speaks of a very pure truth about being human and the ritual of daily life, and it fits the context of the song very well the way I understand it.
Joined: June 17 2005
Location: Finland
Status: Offline
Points: 4828
Posted: November 21 2011 at 13:26
I regonize myself to those who love that album. My personal positive associations were
borne from process of learning to listen longer & complex music with this record along some Wagner's operas as teenager. The hopeful and sacred feeling on the album with fabulous gatefold
covers and pretty illustrations are also very appealing for me.
As I
listen today this Yes record, I think the first of LP's is the best, and the second is good
too, but there are even yet better live versions found from
both "Ancient" and "The Ritual". Also the bit longer mix of "Revealing Science of God"
with ambient intro from some remastered CD is neat.
About the lyrics; Have never tried to search a divine maning from them, I think they work quite well for the singer as purely melodic instrument. As not having Eglish as my first language it is blissful to be able to filter out all kinds of "I'm a highway star" poetry away from the listening enjoyment.
I personally do not mind artists (or anybody elses) opinions concerning
releases have they done, as they have might tried to achieve something
else, and the "failed" endresult might be stimulating for me anyhow.
Have found this subjective line quite satisfying for myself.
Joined: December 23 2009
Location: Emerald City
Status: Offline
Points: 17846
Posted: November 21 2011 at 13:42
Padraic wrote:
Bj-1 wrote:
Excellent album. Never had any issues with it.
Screw Wakeman...if you read the liner notes Jon Anderson had been thinking of a long multi-composition album during a tour and thus began the construction of Tales From Topographic Oceans. He even states he and Howe staying up very late in a hotel room putting it together. And gives credit on each song as to what each musician added to the compositions.
Now I assume the same liner notes appear in the CD version, which I don't own, I only own the vinyl version with gatefold and all the liner notes and lyrics.
Its a brilliant, fantastic journey Yes puts the listener through. I do my very best to listen to all 4 sides in one sitting....but when I don't, I never come away satisfied.
Joined: July 20 2009
Location: Tucson, AZ USA
Status: Offline
Points: 7264
Posted: November 21 2011 at 14:04
Ivan_Melgar_M wrote:
cstack3 wrote:
My only regret is that Wakeman was so tenuous on the recording, he clearly didn't like it. Pity....
Clearly didn't like it?........That's a bit short
He was more than expressive.....I fully agree with him
Iván
Hah, thanks for that one, Iván! I forgot how acidic he was back in the day!
Despite all the venom, Wakeman DID make some very nice contributions, particularly on Mellotron....by being somewhat withdrawn, I believe the music actually benefitted, as Rick could be slightly bombastic/over-the-top on keys in that period (as in "Journey" etc.). His parts are very subtle and actually compliment Howe's musical leadership.
I've posted this several times, this is a lovely interview with Rick Wakefield wearing a lovely gold cape, comparing the TFTO tour with "Spinal Tap." I have no doubt that the unwieldy, elaborate tour for Tales was at least partly the inspiration for ST live acts such as "Stone Henge"!! This is hilarious....
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"Tales From Topographic Oceans Sucks" Why?
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toroddfuglesteg wrote:
wearing a lovely gold cape, comparing the TFTO tour with "Spinal Tap." I have no doubt that the unwieldy, elaborate tour for Tales was at least partly the inspiration for ST live acts such as "Stone Henge"!! This is hilarious....