Tales from Topographic Oceans [Original recording remastered, Import]

Yes | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 4, 1994)
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Original recording remastered, Import
• Label: Atlantic
• ASIN: B000002J20
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (172 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #167,890 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

YES TALES FROM THE TOPOGRAPHIC OCEAN

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

85 of 91 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mystical and beautiful., March 18, 2001

By 

Lord Chimp (Monkey World) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tales from Topographic Oceans (Audio CD)

I can imagine the time when this album first came out. Yes fans must have praised the album for its daring, its ingenuity, its LENGTH. Now I can imagine things ten years later, with rock critics ridiculing the album for everything from its mystic lyrics, pompous songwriting, indulgent musicianship... everything for which progressive rock has been derided. Even Yes' diehard fans have decidedly mixed feelings regarding this epic work. To them, it could be the pinnacle achievement of Yes' estimable career, or it could the be the most grandiloquent album EVER.

Time and time again I've tried to empathize with those who dislike this album, thinking that perhaps their criticisms have some merit. Still, I can't get over the fact that this is truly excellent work. I think the music is simply sublime, many of the most wonderful passages that Yes ever recorded. Not as cohesive as the epics on "Close to the Edge" (still my favorite Yes album), but certainly more dynamic, it takes countless listens to fully appreciate. Even 25 years after its release, I'm still finding new elements to this richly absorbing work.

It's all anchored by that awesome rhythm section of Alan White's drums and Chris Squire's mammoth bass guitar, while Wakeman's lush synthesizers add ambiance and depth, and Steve Howe's guitar artistry is sophisticated and engaging. Jon Anderson's trippy lyrics and soulful, radiant singing are topnotch. Although the lyrics are mostly confusing, I believe their meanings are meant to be vague. They rely on surreal and romantic imagery to generate feeling in the listener in musical context. It doesn't really matter because the lyrics attain an emotional connection regardless of what they are actually about. I've always believed that Yes' individual elements are impressive, but less important than the unified result of their efforts.

The songs could enjoin a complete review for each one, as each song is brimming with depth and complexity. "The Revealing Science of God" is absolutely spellbinding. From the moment you hear the unmistakable thematic development in the vocal section at the beginning, you know it's going to be something great. A mostly placid epic that occasionally drives into fast-paced energy. Approaching the song's finale, this one climaxes with a mind-bending solo from Wakeman. Cryptic lyrics focused on metaphysical objective values (I think; who really knows?) are tied some of the group's best arrangements.

"The Remembering" is a standout for Rick Wakeman. There's moments of fierce swirling synths and mellotrons, and him and Howe alternately repeat the song's main theme on different instruments. Lots of memorable melodies here, and the song gets pretty intense at times (like the "Relayer" passages).

"The Ancient" is the most difficult song to appreciate. Because most of the vocals are relegated to the ending of this 18-minute beast, its heavy focus on abstruse instrumentation bores many people. I can't help but be captivated, however. I'm a huge fan of music that implements Eastern influences, and this track is filled with them. Dominantly Middle Eastern, the band shows incredible versatility in their endeavor to underscore the idiosyncratic beauties of these cultures. Towards the end of the song, Howe's acoustic wizardry is displayed. Awesome!

"Ritual" is a sprawling piece that is very symphonic at times. A lengthy instrumental passage opens this one, and just when you think the track is starting to meander, it gets back on track. This one never gets too pretentious, and it's beautifully melodic and excitingly played and arranged. At the 15-minute mark, there's this unforgettable orchestral interlude with devastating percussion and harrowing strings (synthed, of course). The ending is gorgeous, with clean electric guitar/piano interplay and Anderson's delicate vocals.

Like complex jazz, some of Yes' music is far too esoteric to be appreciated by everyone. That's perfectly fine. I don't consider myself intellectually superior to the many who have no taste for this admittedly convoluted work of music. Still, it moves me, it engrosses me, and it never bores me. It may not tap the conventional spirit of music, but to me, that's part of what makes it special. I wouldn't want it any other way.

(If I've bored you, blame no one but yourself. You read the whole review, so it's your own damn fault! ;-)

29 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Deep Yes: These Tales Beckon the Serious Enthusiast, June 4, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Tales from Topographic Oceans (Audio CD)

A concept album from Yes' Golden Age, the Tales are a stunning tour de force that explore the more mystical side of the group.

Although these lengthy tracks intimidated me at first, after repeated listenings I discovered tremendous depth and ingenuity. This is Yes in all its majestic glory, with everything you'd expect from them and a lot that may surprise you, especially if you are new to the group and its wandering ways.

Although the first track, The Revealing Science of God, is probably the most famous (and utterly spellbinding in concert), I found the second, less-known track, The Remembering, to be my personal favorite. It's worth noting, however, that the over 80 minutes of music that comprise this double-disc album contain literally dozens of threads that must be followed from song to song to truly be appreciated.

As with all Yes music, there is no limit to its richness and brilliance. This is music I will listen to again and again throughout the rest of my life (I've only been listening to Yes for about 15 years now), and it transcends generations: my teenage kids love this stuff (!!).

Yet another modern classic from some of the best musical talent ever assembled in human history.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a beautiful composition., April 4, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Tales from Topographic Oceans (Audio CD)

After reading many of the previous reviews and having heard many opinions by listeners and the actual band members alike I feel annoyed and angry about the process of judging this piece of music. I read people saying which piece they like, which section they like, that this should have been left off or this is good or this is bad. A piece of music and especially this piece of music is a living, breathing thing. The Ancient is a great piece of music because it is so jarring, because of the "ugly" sounding slide guitar that precedes the eventual resolution to acoustic guitar. I hear from beginning to end inspired and awesomely original music that doesn't follow a pattern originated on Close to the Edge for how a 20 minute composition is supposed to be structured. I worship every "ugly" sound that resolves into something beautiful. I know of no other Yes composition like it nor of any other music in the world like it. I believe it has a sound, style "tinta" that begins from the very first note and never waivers till the end of Ritual. And I become the most angry when I realize that Yes let themselves be lead off the amazing path they were following by letting all the negative reactions affect their development. This music should be appreciated as a whole and hopefully someday they might play the whole thing live again so we could hear what it can become.