Best Yes "epic" [Archive] - Yesfans.com: Founded 4/01

04-17-2002, 09:56 AM

What's your favorite Yes epic?

General criteria were length, theme, structure, and degree of innovation

Some of the songs on the list are obvious. Others may seem a stretch but are included to be certain nothing is missed. There is, of course, some fuzziness in the definition of "Yes epic," so it is expanded here to include those songs which qualify structurally ("And You and I") if not in length ("Heart of the Sunrise") or thematic unity ("Starship Trooper"). (The latter is included for its role in the development of Yes long form)

On the other hand, some very experimental songs were not included because they did not meet my arbitrary standard - ie, they came close in one area or another but not enough to ascend to the station of the others ("All Good People," etc). I apologize if I left out anyone's favorite - by all means, correct the oversight with a post below ...

mrgone3

04-17-2002, 12:03 PM

I'm going to vote for Close to the Edge.Starship Blooper is not what I consider an epic.I think what they were going for can be found in Heart of the Sunrise.This song had all the true structure of music and lyrics.But I feel CTTE is the first true epic and gave the band a course to steer through.Just the opening alone will suck you in.Imagine floating along a stream.Then the music takes you on a journey through raging rapids.And bombarded by lyrical images along the way.I love And You And I,but it is not an epic.Tales is the epic album.Every song an epic to be sure.And Relayer has Gates of Delirium.And GFTO has Awaken.A classic epic.JOE

04-17-2002, 12:07 PM

It had never occurred to me that "Heart of the Sunrise" might be the mature form of "Starship Trooper" but there is much to defend that observation.

I agree about CTTE, too - it was not only the band's first true success in putting forth sophisticated musical imagery - it is the most successful effort in prog history. ELP has come close, but CTTE still rules ...

Original_Shifty

04-17-2002, 12:23 PM

Can't........

vote.......

yet. Too........

hard......

to...

decide.................

Neverthirst

04-17-2002, 08:44 PM

Endless Dream was my choice.

choosing was an absolutely horrible experience.

please o please never post a poll that tough again.

04-25-2002, 02:19 PM

I quote myself from the Membership Growth thread:

"If you can't take the intensity, maybe you should go home and crawl into your AM radio ... it's not safe out here! Yes is wondrous, with treasures to satiate desires both subtle and gross ... but it's NOT for the timid!"

Who can spot the source (there's a very obvious clue on this page!)? Anyone? Anyone?

Q

Jackaranda

04-30-2002, 04:27 PM

Way too hard to choose one here..Although I voted for Gates, tomorrow it could be Endless Dream, the next day it could be Revealing Science of God, or Awaken....

Yes' greatest epics are a group of pieces that have a magic that can't be explained, and they span many years and line-ups. When they make something really great, it's like a gift from Heaven to me. God HAS to be a Yes fan....

05-01-2002, 10:03 AM

I wonder if God is a Trooper or a Generator ...

Keep in mind that the Old Testament is just chock-full of epics and is written for one particular group of people.

The New Testament, on the other hand, has only one epic, at the very end, and the entire body of work is designed to reach out to the masses, as opposed to just one group - it's more "commercial."

Hmmmmm.... sounding familiar?

Which is better, the Old Testament or the New Testament?

Love to all,
Q

Neverthirst

05-01-2002, 09:03 PM

Does that make DRAMA and ABWH analogous to the DEAD SEA SCROLLS?

05-01-2002, 09:43 PM

No ... they would be Apochrypha

RobAdams

05-02-2002, 12:48 AM

I voted for CLOSE TO THE EDGE....AWAKEN, RITUAL and GATES OF DELIRIUM would be tied at 2nd place. CLOSE TO THE EDGE is the track that grabbed me and took me to the world of Yes to begin with.

Speaking of epics.......
Just to show the diversity of thought at work among us....

Many people complain that TORMATO lacks an epic - that the songs are all too short. On the other hand many complain that TALES FROM TOPOGRAPHIC OCEANS is too long.

ycantibu

05-23-2002, 09:54 AM

God is a Generator: http://www.happinessinslavery.com/trevor/index.html

Originally posted by Quantum
I wonder if God is a Trooper or a Generator ...

Keep in mind that the Old Testament is just chock-full of epics and is written for one particular group of people.

The New Testament, on the other hand, has only one epic, at the very end, and the entire body of work is designed to reach out to the masses, as opposed to just one group - it's more "commercial."

Hmmmmm.... sounding familiar?

Which is better, the Old Testament or the New Testament?

Love to all,
Q

The Villager

05-23-2002, 09:56 AM

i-and-i, Mozart had to deal with the same complaints ... part of the problem is pleasing a vast and complex audience with differing tastes and expectations ... this website alone makes clear that Yes's fanbase is such a crowd!

illusion

05-23-2002, 01:53 PM

I think I voted for Revealing, but I'm not quite sure (I voted ages ago and I can't remember). Today I feel like voting for Starship Trooper though...my first Yes epic and one of the best. Don't slag it off!:D

Neverthirst

05-24-2002, 04:28 AM

Originally posted by ycantibu
God is a Generator

That has some really fun implications to it ...

Even moreso in contrast to not choosing that God be a Trooper, and the puns that would go along with that one ...

nightliner

05-24-2002, 05:21 AM

Awaken here.

Interesting, a total of 2 votes for the 4 Topographic epics. I guess they aren't as good or as popular as some people think.

Ahkin

06-06-2002, 04:52 PM

The thing with the movements of Tales is that the true epic is all four movements together. That's why I didn't want to pick an individual movement, and voted for Gates of Delirium.

ycantibu

06-21-2002, 06:58 PM

I know it's unfashionable to say, but I kinda like Tales. This week, I did something I haven't done before - I listened to Keys to Ascension - well, I listened to some of the live tracks anyway. It's a start. I was reminded of how nifty "The Revealing Science Of God" is. But, there were just so many great choices on this poll that it was hard to just pick one.

I had to throw my vote to "Endless Dream". The hymn like bits are so moving and the more electronic bits still send chills up my spine.

Originally posted by nightliner
Awaken here.

Interesting, a total of 2 votes for the 4 Topographic epics. I guess they aren't as good or as popular as some people think.

smatt

07-28-2002, 11:27 AM

I'm voting for about 8 of these! Since I'm a mod. I can do that!:devil: Just kidding, I can't pick, it's like the top 5 songs thread!:confused: I'm just not able to pick. When I think I've got it nailed down I listen to another song or album and it changes. If I was frosced to pick one though I guess it would be CTTE, no wait Awaken, er um Gates:confused:

See what I mean!

PeterCologne

11-16-2002, 09:23 AM

...because it has the best guitar-performance ever on it - even more so on the Yesshows live-version. And it has Patricks inspired - in terms of sounds, arrangements, vibrations, emotions... - keyboards. And it is so beautifully arranged.

But, The Revealing Science Of God, Ritual, Close To The Edge and Endless Dream come very close. Especially I like Endless Dream, because it is a true Yes-epic, but updated. I can't get enough listening to those keyboard-sounds for instance, they are rich of colours, like Trevor Rabin and Tony Kaye have painted them together. Even where it seems first, that you only hear one sound, there is much more, like you look on a piece of grass. It seems to be just one green piece, but inside there is a lot of different life. The keys, Trevors guitar and his arrangement make it true Yes-Avantgarde.

By the way, Mind Drive and That, That is are good enough to be performed live - if only this current lineup had more sense for experimentation. And what about The Remembering? Underrated piece.

Greetings
Peter

george bertha

11-19-2002, 07:50 PM

It is a hard decision, because I love all the "epics"! The "epics" are what made me a fan in the first place! But, I have to go with "In The Presence Of", because my wife and I saw Yes in Phila. about 10 days ago and they played that song. They say in the lyrics exactly how I feel about my wife. Plus, I can't seem to get that song out of my head!

headrott

11-20-2002, 06:59 PM

Close To The Edge. This is THE BEST SONG EVER WRITTEN AND RECORDED. There are (of course) some other great ones like Awaken, Gates, All of Tales. I too like Endless Dream. This is one of the best YES songs done with Trevor (along with Miracle of life). That, That Is is a great epic. It's got some great melodies in it and IMO has some of the best consistantly good lyrics done by Jon recently.

Greg

Silent_wings

11-20-2002, 07:55 PM

Awaken

I just love that song

Master of Soul
Set to touch
All impenetrable youth
Ask away
That thought be contact
With all that's clear
Be honest with yourself
There's no doubt no doubt

Jon's voice is just beautyful.
lisening to the XM radio broadcast of it.:D

Andersonic

12-15-2002, 08:16 PM

it's always so damn hard to choose...I chose The Revealing Science Of God, it is the most complete and tensionbuilding song to me, I rediscovered the song on Keys To Ascension I and was very pleased how it turned out on In A Word.

But Awaken, Close To The Edge, And You And I, Gates Of Delirium are all great too, somehow I don't categorize Minddrive as an epic song, I don't know why, it's a great song but no true epic.

12-22-2002, 11:27 PM

I have always thought of the entire releases as epics. Beethovens 9th seems to be considered in its entirety, not just a favorite movement. I just love the way the entire releases make a whole.

Best Epics:

1. Tales
2. Tie - CTTE and Relayer

For this topic - Best movements:

1. Tie - CTTE, AYAI, Tales 1-4, GOD, To be Over, Awaken

Cerberus

01-15-2003, 09:57 PM

Close to the Edge is one of my all time favs!!

Thoughtbecontact

01-27-2003, 11:58 PM

This needs to be fixed, I just can't vote in these polls. Keep getting an invalid session message. If the powers that be would let me vote, Awaken is my choice, placing it in first. Goes to show you it's no the third best work on GFTO.

Sheerah

01-30-2003, 02:26 AM

I can't vote either.
That's because I can't decide.

02-19-2003, 08:55 AM

I feel the same way, sheila ... I wish the software permitted 'rating' poll choices, so we could log first choice, second choice, third choice, etc ...

Purple Wolfhound

02-19-2003, 09:29 AM

Yours Is No Perpetual Sunrise Close To The Revealing Science Of Remembering The Ancient Ritual Of Delerium – Awaken, Messiah! - Endless Drive Homeworld

yarstruly

02-19-2003, 12:24 PM

LOL Purple! That's perfect!

tardistraveler

02-19-2003, 11:20 PM

I can't vote either - invalid session message.

But, if I could - it would have to be Close to the Edge.

My all-time favorite!

Now, for the much maligned Tales - Ritual would have to be #2 - but I prefer to think of all of Tales as a whole.

Awaken #3

But there's probably a hair's difference between them all!

I just love Yes music!

Thoughtbecontact

02-22-2003, 02:20 PM

Diane,

If I were to give the epics a 1, 2, 3 4, etc., this is it:

1. Awaken--nothing else compares for me.
2. And You and I--was my fav for a long time.
3. Heart of the Sunrise--because it's incredible live
4. Revealing Science of God--never appreciated this one as much when I was younger, but it has made a big jump for me recently, thanks to a certain co-conspirator on this board.
5. CTTE--also made big jump for me recently, primarily because of the November concert

Another work I've come to love is Endless Dream, also because of my co-conspirator.

TNyesfan

06-03-2003, 11:39 AM

It has all the elements of a good old- fashioned epic in the tradition of Homer's Odyssey. Told with sweeping, majestic lyricism, there is enormous confrontation, the journey into peace, and finally, the humility of the hero.

spedblavio

06-03-2003, 11:49 AM

This was not tough for me.

If I could take only one Yes epic to the proverbial desert isle...

CTTE, hands down, no question.

As much as I love some of the others, CTTE is the one truly indispensable epic.

Mr. Holland

06-03-2003, 04:09 PM

Awaken it is for me...the ultimate Yes piece of music!

GoD57

06-03-2003, 08:45 PM

Gates will always be my favorite...but I think I might rate Awaken as being better, from an emotional sense.

I recently re-discovered The Ladder{I found it under my desk} and I have been listening to it almost every day for 2 weeks.

Right now I would say Homeworld is my favorite epic of the month. It might be because I haven't heard a million times, but I enjoy it more every time I hear it.

As I will always need you inside my heart.

Bill

Rabin105

06-10-2003, 07:38 AM

Endless dream and southside are really good trqack (imagine a setlist with both)

bender

06-14-2003, 07:57 AM

How can I choose!!!!

Well I cant pick one so I'm picking as many as I want. Lets see....

Somethings Coming
Astral traveller
Perpetual Change
Yours Is No Disgrace
Starships Trooper
Heart Of the Sunrise
South Side of the Sky
And You And I - my favorite
Close to the edge
Siberian Khatru
Revealing Science of God
The Remembering
To Be Over
Gates Of Delirium
Awaken
Machine Messiah
Mind Drive
Homeworld
That That Is
Brother Of Mine (ok I'm cheating now!)

gatesofdelirium

06-15-2003, 09:07 AM

I think that you already know what I voted:D

Dale Cleary

06-15-2003, 04:48 PM

I feel this is the most cohesive epic they recorded. There are no wasted notes as on something like CTTE or Tales. I can hear the sections when there is no direction very easily, and Awaken doesn't seem to have any. Where as I can often hear it within the other epics. No Billy Strayhorn in that rehearsal room :D
Pity.

SoundscapeMN

06-15-2003, 05:25 PM

and I haven't even heard every 1 on the list but I still have to go with G.O.D.

Kyle

Rabin105

07-29-2003, 03:01 PM

mind drive might be preformed live with the honolulu orchestra

doctor_how

09-02-2003, 07:08 PM

I picked CTTE. I noticed Awaken was a close second or third. I just got GFTO, and have given Awaken a couple listenings, but I still don't get what everyone likes about it. My second would be Gates of Delirium, and my third Starship Trooper.

Rabin105

09-03-2003, 05:16 PM

Originally posted by doctor_how
I picked CTTE. I noticed Awaken was a close second or third. I just got GFTO, and have given Awaken a couple listenings, but I still don't get what everyone likes about it. My second would be Gates of Delirium, and my third Starship Trooper.
Awaken is just amazing that's why I like it so much but to each his own. Gates is really good too

stevie

09-08-2003, 08:11 PM

I don't think it's on the list, but I think Perpetual Change on Yessongs is a storming epic.

Rabin105

09-09-2003, 05:00 PM

Originally posted by stevie
I don't think it's on the list, but I think Perpetual Change on Yessongs is a storming epic.
the orignal and the yeswest versions are equally amazing

tardistraveler

09-09-2003, 05:34 PM

Well, this thread popped up again. Apparently I couldn't vote when I posted originally. Without looking at my post, I gave it some thought and voted. Close to the Edge - favorite, with Ritual and Awaken close behind.

Thinking I must have posted before, I found my original post on page 2, and my answers were consistent!

Wish we could vote for a Top 5 or something!

Ryan

12-31-2003, 06:52 PM

ehchghhegh. . . . close to the edge i guess

Rabin105

01-02-2004, 12:29 PM

In the presence of is good

Full Tilt Boogie

01-05-2004, 09:13 PM

'Machine Messiah' - and "Epic", in the same sentence??

Don't get me wrong, I do like Drama, but I think you're guilding the lilly somewhat by referring to the above as an 'epic'; especially when set against the other fare on offer in the list.

Mr. Holland

01-06-2004, 04:25 AM

Earl Grey

01-06-2004, 04:39 AM

I love Machine Messiah. An 'epic' in my book.

:ele:

Full Tilt Boogie

01-06-2004, 07:03 AM

So what do you measure an epic by then, Bren? If it's about lenght, Homeworld and ITPO are also on the list and they are 10 minutes songs as is Machine Messiah, so explain yourself a bit more, please.......

Whoa-there, Mr Holland! Let's not get our opuses in a twist! :-) You are right: by any dictionary definition, MM is an 'epic'.

Epic, adjective. [from the Greek, epos, a word], told in a lofty style;-noun, an heroic poem.

So yes, MM fits the above criteria to the letter; but as I mentioned earlier, when set against the other fare on offer, i.e. the more traditionally accepted epics from the band (cf anything off TFTO), MM might not, and again here it comes down to opinion, be deemed in the same light. That said, I think we can agree that even some of the 2,3 and 4 minute-long works by Yes can be said to 'punch above its weight', what?

And as for 'length'? Ah, that old chestnut! As we chaps have been trying to convince our better-halves for millennia: "size isn't everything!"

I stand corrected, sir; although, us proving the dictionary definition might not explain why the song has, to date, yet to garner a single vote in the epic stakes??

Rabin105

01-06-2004, 02:54 PM

Homeworld also hasn't gotten a vote See that is the problem with not being able to vote for more than 1 certain epic that you love you may not be able to vote for becauser you also love other epic.

Mr. Holland

01-07-2004, 01:14 PM

Whoa-there, Mr Holland! Let's not get our opuses in a twist! :-)

Sorry, if it came across that way, it wasn't ment in that way, it was just ment as a question.....

Trouserpress

01-09-2004, 06:01 AM

It's so hard to choose just one. For me there are three truly great Yes epics that define the band and what an "epic" should be:

1. Close to the Edge
2. Relayer
3. Awaken

For me, those three tracks are what Yesmusic is all about.

About The Round

01-09-2004, 06:37 AM

I love Machine Messiah. An 'epic' in my book.

:ele:

I like MM too. But still I have a notion of this song could have been better if the opening motif had been not so overwhelming at start. I miss the swell in the development of this song due to the fact they´re coming in at full strenght in stead of underscoring. If (The Satanic Mills theme) where introduced later at full strenght (slowly developed) the use of drastic means would have been justified. There is a "Heavy Metal" resemblance in that peace that I´m not sure of. Manner in stead of means you know...

Mr. Holland

01-09-2004, 08:24 AM

Trouserpress

01-13-2004, 04:36 PM

Do you mean "Gates of Delirium", 'cause Relayer is an album, not a track..??

...Quite. Methinks I must've been running on auto-pilot when I was typing that. Though, it'd be a struggle to do without the whole album.

Rabin105

01-14-2004, 04:20 PM

Relayaer is an epic album but what is your favourite epic album? is a different album all toghether (wonder why no one has done it)
Awaken Gates Homeworld endless dream Machine messiah i have so many favorite's It's hard to decide.

soulsearcher

01-14-2004, 04:38 PM

wow!
why don't you ask a hard question?! LOL!
i voted for gates 'cause it is the one that makes me think most globally with it's message.... although awaken is my favorite song, it makes me look more at myself, you know what i mean?

Rabin105

01-14-2004, 07:37 PM

Mind drive is cool

Dances w/PURPLE

01-16-2004, 10:20 AM

I think he's a trooper Q. Just listen to the lyrics (not that he's a blue bird with shiney wings) but it would also reason he is a Generator!

I voted for CTTE and speaking of God, I think the opening of CTTE on Keys to Ascension II sounds like Eden just after the earth was made and God looking down on all the insects and flowers and animals moving about..that whole opening riff, that's what CTTE reminds me of.(not that I was there) ha ha...on the other hand, if we are all decsendents of Adam and Eve....in some form I was there.

Epic! At 19 minutes, yeah.

sonofjack

01-16-2004, 04:18 PM

Endless Dream. It runs in the family. We grew up on Talk.

JudysTrevor

01-17-2004, 01:29 PM

My vote went to.....Endless Dream. That song is so amazing, it makes me cry every time I hear it. Awaken is in 2nd place.

Judy
:guitar:

Rabin105

01-17-2004, 06:47 PM

My vote went to.....Endless Dream. That song is so amazing, it makes me cry every time I hear it. Awaken is in 2nd place.

Judy
:guitar:
both are great songs

tardistraveler

01-17-2004, 09:49 PM

Endless Dream. It runs in the family. We grew up on Talk.

Hi, sonofjack! I'm guessing from your location that you're Jack Gowen's son! Glad to see you here - we love Yes fans of ALL ages! Hope you come back and visit often!

Stever

01-21-2004, 02:37 PM

prem895

02-16-2004, 03:54 PM

I Don"t Believe There Is One Answer To This Question. There Are A Good Handfull Of Songs That Fit Here.

Rabin105

02-17-2004, 04:55 PM

It's changed for me several times over my Yes listening career, and will again, I'm sure. Since we could only vote once, I went with Gates. But I've found myself saying "this is the best epic ever" about CTTE, RSOG, HOTS, AYAI, Machine Messiah and Endless Dream interchangeably in various conversations, parties etc. over my many years of listenting to Yes. Even Homeworld sometimes.

Peace
sadly I never get to have conversations like that at parties people ask me what is my favorite music group when i say Yes they either didn't know who yes was or thought they broke up a while ago

umgekehrt

07-24-2004, 02:43 PM

Where's Survival?

Rabin105

07-24-2004, 11:21 PM

Where's Survival?
With Waldo ;)

Awakened by the Gates

07-25-2004, 03:23 AM

How can I choose? Can't I vote a dozen times??
Well, okay, I voted for 'Awaken'.But it definitely was not a one horse race!
My favourite Yes song is 'And You And I'. But I don't consider it an epic. It is better than that!!