Overall Rating Of Tales From Topographic Oceans

[sirlespaul]

What do you think of Tales From Topographic Oceans?

[yesyadda]

Phenomenal! Overall my favorite by far. Tales sails! Tales is tops! It is so involved and evolving. I can listen to it 32 years later and still marvel. I wuv that album.

[Jackaranda]

It's not, imo, the greatest album ever made but it's certainly up there.

[sirlespaul]

Yeah it's great stuff but i had to rate it " It's A great Album" I think it's better then Relayer though. thats just me

[Ian Burdon]

Love it. Depending what day it is, it is my favourite Yes album (on other days that's Relayer).

Ian

[Yes.2]

Simply brilliant. Much like Foxtrot, it takes an advanced pallet to properly pallet it.

[Yes.2]

I suspect that the production was rushed in the studio.

[Yes2Yes]

I love the album but it's not my favorite.

[somissound]

What happend to the drum sound? It is like a strange pocket right between 2 of my favorite drum sounds, CTTE and Relayer...

Compared to other albums, it is very primitive..Which is I guess is the theme of the album??....

Drama is my favorite Alan White sound actually...Nice job Eddie, Trevor, and Hugh!

[cinderella]

I love Tales but I didn't always. When I first bought it I was about 15. It didn't appeal to me as much then. It was a bit overwhelming for me and above the heads of my friends who were listening to Donny Osmond. :winknudge

Now I think it's great. Brilliant, well I don't think I can judge brilliant, but it's certainly close. :headset:

[Jackaranda]

What happend to the drum sound? It is like a strange pocket right between 2 of my favorite drum sounds, CTTE and Relayer...

Compared to other albums, it is very primitive..Which is I guess is the theme of the album??....



I agree. The production just isn't there, the sound has never been quite right for me. That's why I prefer most live versions of the songs.

[YYY]

Brilliant. Different, Unique, Bold, Imaginative. Can't compare it to CTTE and RELAYER which are amazing in their own right. It satisfies a different need in me. Other times it's CTTE or RELAYER. I can play CTTE more often. I have to be in a special state of mind to hear RELAYER and TALES.

[True Believer]

The most brilliant thing I've ever heard is CTTE, with Tales a close 2nd.

[luckeydoug1]

Yeah it's great stuff but i had to rate it " It's A great Album" I think it's better then Relayer though. thats just me

Well, it's not just you. Of the 'classic three' this is the only one I truely enjoy from start to finish. I like bits from CTTE, but Relayer..... I'll keep it civil and just say it is my least favorite Yes album.

[sirlespaul]

Well, it's not just you. Of the 'classic three' this is the only one I truely enjoy from start to finish. I like bits from CTTE, but Relayer..... I'll keep it civil and just say it is my least favorite Yes album.

What are your favorite albums? i can't belive your least favorite is Relayer though. i think it's still a masterpiece but i like Tales better. but what are your favorite albums?

[luckeydoug1]

What are your favorite albums? i can't belive your least favorite is Relayer though. i think it's still a masterpiece but i like Tales better. but what are your favorite albums?

Since you asked ( :D ) and I know it is not the list of a typical Yes fan but here are my favorites:

90125 (A perfect 10 for me)
--- and then ---
Big Generator (Drop Holy Lamb and it is another perfect 10. A 9 as it stands)
Talk (took a while to appreciate Endless Dream. A very strong 9+ album)
Magnification (Drop Time is Time and Soft as a Dove and it is another perfect 10)
Tales
1/3 of Union (Lift Me Up, Miracle of Life, The More We Live-Let Go: 3 of my favorite Yes songs)
Open Your Eyes
The Ladder
Fragile

then bits and pieces from all the others, except Relayer. (And trust me, I have tried and tried with Relayer. I even bought the songbook to see if studying the songs from that angle; (revoicing parts using my Kurzweils)would help me understand... It still remains my least favorite. Were it not a Yes album I would have given up long ago. Had it been my first experience with Yes music, there is a good chance I would not be a Yes fan today.)

[The Whale]

The greatest conventinal peice of music I have ever heard.

The greatest peice of music I'v ever heard is Rachmaninoffs 3rd Symphony but after that comes Tales.

[tardistraveler]

The most brilliant thing I've ever heard is CTTE, with Tales a close 2nd.

Me too!

CTTE is my favorite, Tales is my #2 - hands down!

[SonicDeath10]

I love it, but I have to be in a specific mood. It's not like some other Yes albums, where I can listen to one song: if I listen to one song from Tales, I HAVE to listen to the rest. I'm compelled to, beyond reason. That said, it's not my favorite Yes album. LIST TIME! I'm ranking Yes albums on a 1-10 scale.

Yes-8 (Very assured, if atypical for the band, debut)
Time And A Word-7.5 (Orchestra and band isn't an easy fit, and the songs are a little worse)
Yes Album-10 (Almost perfect space rock)
Fragile-10 (Prog meets pop in an occasionally sloppy, but ultimately beautiful album)
Close To The Edge-10 (The masterpiece. No other words apply)
Yessongs-9 (great live album, sets a precedent of the band's live albums being great)
Tales-8 (I love it, but I really do have to be in the mood)
Relayer-10 (On a similar level to Close To The Edge, but sloppier)
Going For The One-9 (Great collection of catchy songs with prog overtones, and a great Yessong in "Awaken")
Tormato-6 (Weak songwriting, poor production, and fey keyboard tones hamper this release. A 7 for the remastered version with better sound)
Drama-8 (Harder edged sound with new blood pointed to a potential new style, but without Jon they lacked the drive and vision to truly succeed)
Yesshows-8 (surprisingly good live album, considering it was mostly a contractual release. you get to hear jon say "don't put that funk in my face." For that alone, it's priceless.)
90125- 9 (Great collection of arty pop songs)
Big Generator-7 (Not as fey as Tormato, but the songs are worse than 90125. The brilliant mixing of pop and arty stylings disappears, and goes to the extremes: there are pure pop songs, and then the art songs.)
ABWH-7 (songs are sometimes too long for the musical content presented. production weak.)
An Evening Of Yes Music- 8 (tight, fast entertaining versions of ABWH takes the songs out of the stale production and makes them come alive)
Union-1 (Embarassing abomination. The only completely and utterly useless album Yes put out. The low point for the band, in terms of corporate involvement. Except for a few moments and a few decent songs, the lowest of the low. Good tour though, from what I've heard.)
Talk-8 (The Trevor Rabin-era Yes go out in a classy style, once again mixing the pop and art elements well, although the prog definitely wins out here. The proggiest thing Rabin ever did!)
Keys To Ascension 1&2-7.5 (Great live material mixed with subpar studio material. It almost seems like the band has forgotten how to "write long" and just throw in unneccesary, and repetitive sections. Sometimes the songs, the core songs, are great, but the endless soloing and repetition is distracting. They aren't without merit, though. The "Keystudio" album would get a 7 out of me, probably)
Open Your Eyes-7 (New look Yes with Billy throws together an album, and the results are a bit sloppy. There is an insane amount of catchiness and pop genius in most of these songs, but unfortunately they didn't really have the time to make these songs better)
The Ladder-9 (The best Yes album in a long time. Great mix of the catchy pop songs from Open Your Eyes, but with more polish, and more art and prog. The most diverse Yes album ever. Undoubtably, their best "pop" album)
House Of Yes-8 (Again, another great live album with material from a great album, and great playing on old songs. The band sounds young again.)
Magnification-9 (The orchestra works beautifully, and the band is still writing great songs. Yes, there is a strong element of pop melody here, but the orchestra and complex song structures and arrangments, not to mention a heavy dose of ART AND PROG helps make this release one of their best)
The Word Is Live- 7.5 (Mostly great live stuff, there could have been better song selection)

I'm actually excited about what a new Yes album could be.

[Albedo]

I think it has many brilliant parts that are not always put together in a way that totally pleases me. I still rate it among my favorites because the best parts are among the best of Yes music.

[somissound]

I agree. The production just isn't there, the sound has never been quite right for me. That's why I prefer most live versions of the songs.



I definitly think the live versions are better...:headset:

It must have taken a long time to learn to play these adventurous tunes live!
:Wow:

[Buglunch]

What do you think of Tales From Topographic Oceans?
:yesbird:
Hey, last night my brother and nephew gave me a black Topo tee as late birthday swag; I had the huge wide poster over my bed in 70s at university studying music. I dubbed the Canadian vinyl pressing on release to tape on my adjustable-Dolby Harmon-Kardon deck and only played the tapes.
:keyboard:
My band did Topo 1 theme as part of Yes medley in 1975 on same stage as Wakey played solo two months later in Edmonton.

Ask me if I like the Tales much.
Alan gets to sign the tee in November. :drummer:

What happend to the drum sound? It is like a strange pocket right between 2 of my favorite drum sounds, CTTE and Relayer...

Have you heard the 70s vinyl version through good stereo or headphones?

Someday I will see Yes do Topo side 2 live...

[luckeydoug1]

I love it, but I have to be in a specific mood. It's not like some other Yes albums, where I can listen to one song: if I listen to one song from Tales, I HAVE to listen to the rest. I'm compelled to, beyond reason. That said, it's not my favorite Yes album.

I agree with you 100% here. While I would not consider it to be THE most brilliant piece of music I have ever heard, it is certainly A very brilliant piece of music. I consider it to be right of there with some of my very favorite classical works. I can't sit down and listen to one movement of my favorite symphonies without listening to the whole composition. The same goes for Tales. It is an musical experience that needs to start at the beginning and continue through to the final note.

I have struggled with this conundrum for awhile now. Tales, while being one of my favorite Yes albums, it is not my all time favorite. I do consider it to be the most brilliant Yes album start to finish. You may have just provided me a clue here: this album needs to be listened to from start to finish. There are really no real 'feel good' songs here, like there are for me in 90125 nor emotionally draining songs like I'm Running, but when I consider the album as one song with four movements (like a symphony), then I am satisfied with my thoughts that this is the greatest album Yes ever wrote and performed. And I thank you for providing me the spark that has allowed me to rationally think this point through. Now excuse me for an hour and a half, or so. I am just in the mood to give Tales another spin!

[YesForSure.]

"Most brilliant thing i've ever heard"

And for those complaining about the production, try the original CD, the remasterd CD's, the original LP on good equipment, and you'll know..,

[shortexchanges]

Tales suffers from improper editing. This can easily be recompiled into 50-60 of Yes at their best. It is beacuse it is a double album it suffers musically as the cd releases of today in that the artist feels compelled to provide 70 minutes of material.

Drama is wonerdful because it is only 38 minutes. Less is more certainly applies here.

The opening for The Revealing Science of God still haunts me 30 years later like the beginning of 2001 a space oddesy!

[sirlespaul]

Tales suffers from improper editing. This can easily be recompiled into 50-60 of Yes at their best. It is beacuse it is a double album it suffers musically as the cd releases of today in that the artist feels compelled to provide 70 minutes of material.

Drama is wonerdful because it is only 38 minutes. Less is more certainly applies here.

The opening for The Revealing Science of God still haunts me 30 years later like the beginning of 2001 a space oddesy!

Then i guess we have pretty different opinions about this. It doesn't matter how long it is. it matters how good it is. You could have a catchy 1 minute song that everyone loves or a catchy 22 minute song that everybody likes. How long a song is means nothing. Sure drama is 38 minutes. but i don't even like Drama. I'm not forcing opinions here but just keep in mind that great songs can be long too.

[robin chun]

Since you asked ( :D ) and I know it is not the list of a typical Yes fan but here are my favorites:

90125 (A perfect 10 for me)
--- and then ---
Big Generator (Drop Holy Lamb and it is another perfect 10. A 9 as it stands)
Talk (took a while to appreciate Endless Dream. A very strong 9+ album)
Magnification (Drop Time is Time and Soft as a Dove and it is another perfect 10)
Tales
1/3 of Union (Lift Me Up, Miracle of Life, The More We Live-Let Go: 3 of my favorite Yes songs)
Open Your Eyes
The Ladder
Fragile

then bits and pieces from all the others, except Relayer. (And trust me, I have tried and tried with Relayer. I even bought the songbook to see if studying the songs from that angle; (revoicing parts using my Kurzweils)would help me understand... It still remains my least favorite. Were it not a Yes album I would have given up long ago. Had it been my first experience with Yes music, there is a good chance I would not be a Yes fan today.)

It would seem to me,luckeydoug1,and I say this with the greatest of respect and it is in no way meant to be derogatory,that you're more of a Cinema fan rather than a classic Yes fan.
Robin

[yes_angel]

I Love it! infact I just got done listenning to RSOG!!!

[Buglunch]

I don't want Yes albums to be catchy; they're important, huge and wonderful and imperfect.

[sirlespaul]

Ever since I made this thread (which was weeks ago) I started to like it more. I gave it "A Really Great Album" but i have to change mine to "Love It". At first you just appreciatte it but eventually you really start to like it more and more. It used to be my 4th favorite album of Yes. Now it's my second. CTTE then TFTO

[F.C.]

Although they've had about seven months to work on it, a rushed job like Close To The Edge sounds better produced but repeated listenings are always rewarding, since they always give you something new.

As for my rating of Tales, it's bloody brilliant. Without a doubt their best album. If you want joyful music, there's "The Revealing Science Of God"; if you want a dreamy lullaby, there's "The Remembering"; if you want boldness, there's "The Ancient", and if you want all of these, you've got "Ritual". Need I say more? The album's got everything, from the most emotional and touching to the most introspective, from the most energy fuelled to the most gentle music you can ever find--there's always something on Tales to satisfy the listener. And I may sound repetitive, but Steve did it all with a Hondo classical, a Fender Pedal Steel, a Danelectro twelve-string, and more than all of these, a simple Les Paul Junior with a Fender Dual Showman amp. And listen to how powerful his playing is with these simple instruments. (yes, my fave Les Paul is the Junior and its cousin, the TV, of which Steve has both--sometimes, less is more). Chris may have only used another bass on "The Remembering", the Guild JS-2 fretless, and I'm proud as he is of what he did with it. Rick expanded his palette of Moog sounds and used both that synth and the Mellotron to convey such beauty that's matchless, and Alan--well, listen to Alan in "Ritual" and "The Ancient"; I'll say no more other than that the man proved his worth as a successor to Bruford.

So yes, it is the best Yes album ever done. Anyone who wants to argue with that must try as hard as possible to find a counter argument to what I've said. I say if I were mad, I would.

[Jonk]

I saw the band on this tour and found the whole of the album at one sitting a little too much at the time particularly as it hadn't been released in time for the tour. If I had heard it before and knew what to expect it would have been easier. As it was the minute the album came out I bopught it and sides One and Four were regularly played. Since I got it on CD however it does get played all the way through pretty regularly. It is hard to imagine any bands doing what Yes did at the time of Topograpc Oceans certainly not now. The band really were breaking boundaries with this album:headset:

[Olorin]

I think the songs are great, though the performance often seems rushed or sloppy, and the production is TERRIBLE. That keeps it from being a truly great YES album in my books, which is unfortunate. If they'd taken a little more time and effort with it, it would truly be in a class all its own. Well, it is anyway, but a slightly better class all its own.

I've heard them do RSOG and Ritual live on their recent tours. I wish they'd do The Remembering and The Ancient some time.

[F.C.]

though the performance often seems rushed or sloppy, and the production is TERRIBLE


I certainly can't hear anything rushed or sloppy on this album. This is where the band plays more like an unit than any other album with Wakeman on the keys. Granted, the songs played live on the tour came out much more powerful than their studio counterparts but I think that they were aiming for an uniformity of sound on this album and they've succeeded at it. And I can hear the instruments just fine. Nothing is drowned in the mix but--maybe that's the problem--nothing stands out either. I'm just glad I have the concerts of that tour to hear whenever I want to. You want a truly terrible production? Listen to "GFTO".

[south_side]

I've said this before. I have the same issues with Tales that Rick did. Overblown and overdone. The parts of Tales that are good are VERY good, but there's some parts are kind of run into the ground (especially in The Ancient), or just didn't need to be there. Would have been a great 60 minute CD.

[emerson_brady]

It only took me about 15 years to appreciate Tales.

[kandjscott]

hi, I saw the tour in the seventys, (columbia,sc) it was incredible

[Purple Wolfhound]

It only took me about 15 years to appreciate Tales.
It took me 15 years just to listen to it! ;) It's a good album, but I think most of it works better live - Ritual especially. Of the studio recording, my favourite complete piece is The Revealing Science Of God, and Leaves Of Green my favourite excerpt. Steve's classical playing during that gives me the shivers still - great stuff!

[CybrKhatru]

It's awful. Mediocre. Boring. Uninspired. I can't boogie to it!





Just kiddin', y'all. I give it a 10. :lmao:

[Earl Grey]

It's awful. Mediocre. Boring. Uninspired. I can't boogie to it!





Just kiddin', y'all. I give it a 10. :lmao:

You CAN boogie to it, but you might break an ankle trying.

:lmao:

Hiya Matt (not Smatt!) Hyuck hyuck!

:ele:

[Squireaholic]

I always love any chance to talk about Tales. I was lucky enough to see this piece played live on the '73(?) spring tour; I don't even think it was released yet. I'll never forget it: One of the only times I ever experienecd Yes live without knowing the music in advance. Needless to say my jaw was on the floor for the entire evening! As I remember (dimly through time and too many 'substances' gone by:beerchugr: ), Revealing and Remembering were played as a continuous piece, then a break, then Ancient and Ritual together.
I also remember getting the album, putting it on and going "hey, what happened to the drum sound? where'd the guitar go" etc. Being a teenage psudeo-audiophile at that time, I took to re-eq-ing the album through my stereo to get the emphasis on parts that I remembered from the show! Even to the present day, if I burn a copy for auto/work/party use, I still run the original CD through a 4:1 soft knee compression, with a eq best described as a 'ssmley face with a sneer on the left side'! the 'sneer' is technically a bump to flat in the 250-400k range.
Like it? LOVE IT! And then I listen to Relayer!

[SCHSYesfan]

Well, its sort of like my dad says. "Yes started getting weird with Tales from Topographic Oceans." But personally, I like it a lot.

[yes_angel]

Well, its sort of like my dad says. "Yes started getting weird with Tales from Topographic Oceans." But personally, I like it a lot.good cause its one of my favs!! specally RSOG

[yes_angel]

I always love any chance to talk about Tales. I was lucky enough to see this piece played live on the '73(?) spring tour; I don't even think it was released yet. I'll never forget it: One of the only times I ever experienecd Yes live without knowing the music in advance. Needless to say my jaw was on the floor for the entire evening! As I remember (dimly through time and too many 'substances' gone by:beerchugr: ), Revealing and Remembering were played as a continuous piece, then a break, then Ancient and Ritual together.
I also remember getting the album, putting it on and going "hey, what happened to the drum sound? where'd the guitar go" etc. Being a teenage psudeo-audiophile at that time, I took to re-eq-ing the album through my stereo to get the emphasis on parts that I remembered from the show! Even to the present day, if I burn a copy for auto/work/party use, I still run the original CD through a 4:1 soft knee compression, with a eq best described as a 'ssmley face with a sneer on the left side'! the 'sneer' is technically a bump to flat in the 250-400k range.
Like it? LOVE IT! And then I listen to Relayer!wow!! I wished I was around to see that,,,,,,,,way cool!

[Squireaholic]

" ...chased amid fusions of wonder" Gives a being chills!!!

[Squireaholic]

Geez Angel: I was barely 12!!! Back in those days, though, you could see a show in NYC and not have your parents freak out (too much)!

[Timmo]

It only took me about 15 years to appreciate Tales.It took me 15 years to appreciate "The Ancient." The rest of it I loved right away.

I put "Loved It."

The honor of "most brilliant think I've ever heard" goes to "The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway" (with "Relayer" an EXTREMELY close second).

[Rippy]

It brings out how talented Steve Howe is with a guitar. As we all are aware, Steve can run the gammit on different styles and on the Tales lp, he covers them all.

[CybrKhatru]

You CAN boogie to it, but you might break an ankle trying.

:lmao:

Hiya Matt (not Smatt!) Hyuck hyuck!

:ele:

Awww...don't mind little ol' me...! :lmao:

Hey Earlie! How's it goin, eh? Best be advised not to try if a broken ankle is guaranteed. Hope you are feeling bettah!

And I heard a million doctors singing....

--Matt

[The Ancient]

Best album ever made.

[Bobby Dread]

The most brilliant thing I've ever heard is CTTE, with Tales a close 2nd.

I think it's a tie for me! My two favorite albums, no doubt, period!

[Cometczar]

I tend to agree with band member hindsights that feel that maybe it could have been condensed. In perspective however, at the time it really went into uncharted territories and spirtuality that perhaps was only rivaled by the Mahavishnu Orchestra. I meet a lot of young hardcore bands that want to make a statement by throwing 30 riffs into a 45 second song with demonic screaming. I site Topographic as an example of how to rebel by not conforming to the ever dwindling attention span, but making a statement by streching your audiences attention and focusing on melodies and progressions that can't easily be divided into four, using time instead of muscle as a dynamic- shall we say a siege opposed to a blitzkreig

[Scottie]

My Rhino Edition just showed up in the mail today. :clap:

I've already warned those that I love that they must clear out tomorrow for I will not be responsible for their loss of hearing. :lmao:

:thinking: Should I warn the neighbors as well?

[YYY]

THE BEST MONSTER EPIC PROG RECORDING OF ALL TIME!

Has to be listened to from start to finish. Which means it require commitment and concentration. It's too beautiful to be taken lightly. BTW...I've always loved THE REMEMBERING. i'ts like a sweet heavenly innocent dream. That goes for THE ANCIENT as well. One of the most unique YES recordings ever. It completely broke the mold to my complete eccentric satisfaction. Loved all of it from the first time heard it. Seeing it Live had me in tears most of the show. But then again I was tripping which only made every note & visual more intense.

Just one question...I haven't read a negative comment yet but there are many who say that TALES has too much uneccessary filler. I would love for once that those who feel this way to be specific. I honestly would like to know which parts aren't crucial.

[NobodyImportant]

I've said this before. I have the same issues with Tales that Rick did. Overblown and overdone. The parts of Tales that are good are VERY good, but there's some parts are kind of run into the ground (especially in The Ancient), or just didn't need to be there. Would have been a great 60 minute CD.

That's pretty much my feeling as well. There's some truly great stuff on Tales, but there's some not-so-great stuff too. If some of the weaker parts had been trimmed off to condense it down to a single-LP, clocking in around 45 minutes (which seems to be about the limit of a record), then it would have been one of the best Yes albums ever.

[EDIT: I didn't vote, since all the options pertained to either liking the album or not liking it. I would have selected something like, "Has truly great parts as well as some mediocre parts," if such an option had been there.]

[yesyadda]

:thinking: Should I warn the neighbors as well?

RUN FOR THE HILLS!

Congrats on your new cd's. Have fun!

[SonicDeath10]

That's pretty much my feeling as well. There's some truly great stuff on Tales, but there's some not-so-great stuff too. If some of the weaker parts had been trimmed off to condense it down to a single-LP, clocking in around 45 minutes (which seems to be about the limit of a record), then it would have been one of the best Yes albums ever.

[EDIT: I didn't vote, since all the options pertained to either liking the album or not liking it. I would have selected something like, "Has truly great parts as well as some mediocre parts," if such an option had been there.]
I don't think the album should have been edited down to 45 minutes because it would have defeated what they were trying to do. Are there slow moments on the album? Yes. But there are also slow movements in an average symphony, which is essentially what this album is. A four movement, eighty minute symphony. Would it have been a better album if it was shorter, and they only left the GREAT stuff? Probably, but...I dunno, it's hard to explain, but the album NEEDS the slow sections for it to be effective. It needs the sprawl that those sections give it to be effective.

[YYY]

I've said this before. I have the same issues with Tales that Rick did. Overblown and overdone. The parts of Tales that are good are VERY good, but there's some parts are kind of run into the ground (especially in The Ancient), or just didn't need to be there. Would have been a great 60 minute CD.

I guess we'll have to disagree. I find 'The Ancient' to be one of Steve's most unique moments. For me he was brilliantly successful at taking us to a place unfamiliar. Then 'As One With The knowledge...is amazing. Each side feels exactly like it's subject matter. And of course there's the section when Jon is chanting the Sun's various names. Totally transcending!!!. Then of course...Leaves of Green...just beautiful. Finally the crescendo. Bravo! What's left?

[yesyadda]

I once watched the full moon rise while listening to The Ancient. It was trippy as all get-out!

[hailhail]

A flowing masterpiece of progtastic fillament busting increduality.
Guess what I voted ?????

ps
Those of you in the "filler" camp
watch the end of "Jay & Silent Bob strike back"
You can be traced,you can be found
You have been warned

[sirlespaul]

Yeah it's great stuff but i had to rate it " It's A great Album" I think it's better then Relayer though. thats just me

I don't know how I could have said that. That was a while ago I said that. Relayer is 100% better!!!!

[sirlespaul]

good cause its one of my favs!! specally RSOG

I hadn't been listening to it for a while, then I decided to give a listen to it again. Hearing RSOG... It's just so amazing! It's funny to believe that Yes was actually going to make this album like 4:00 pop songs! :lmao:

[YESYOUANDI]

Tales..........Well it's the Muts testicles, you must all know that by now?

Cheers fans.

[Doktor Rokster]

It's a brilliant album in many respects, but it is also quite flawed and I can see why it got the criticism that it did, as well as causing considerable damage to the reputation that Yes had carefully built up. I like all four songs for various reasons, but, for me, only Ritual really stands out as a fully formed classic: in other words, it’s great, but not quite good enough. I voted love it in the poll…and indeed I do, but that’s because I’m a Yes nut through and through!

[Wakey's #1 Fan]

It's an absolutely milestone in the Yes discography!

[sister-bluebird]

I have loved The Revealing Science of God ever since I first heard it in '73 or '74. It's so cool that there's a clip of it on YouTube (whoever it is who posts those, THANKS!). Somewhere I just read (probably on one of the threads here) that Jon was influenced by reading about Paramahansa Yogananda right before writing TFTO. That's also very cool. Jon has got to be one of the most spiritual beings on the planet (I know I'm stating the obvious).

[relayeire]

love it... has some flaws, but it is a masterpiece... thank you, Yes, for giving us something like this to enjoy forever...

[jtownyesfan]

I'm the only one to say there is tons of stuff better? I rank it just above 90125, Talk and Bad Generator.

[Steve Mahoney]

It is superb.

Steve

[yesyadda]

It's groovy.

[yesyadda]

Tales is superbly groovy!

[Buglunch]

And I wore the tee shirt last night to a family gathering after the Wakeyradio show Saturday morn.

:yesbird:

[True Believer]

I've loved it since the day I queued (yes, queued!) to buy it on its' release date.

[cvp18]

I've loved it since the day I queued (yes, queued!) to buy it on its' release date.

probably one of the most thought provoking album i ever listened to. i didnt have to stand in a queue as you, Anne, but as a 17 yr old who was a Yeshead back then, Tales brings back the most wonderful memories i have of 1974.

[Hex]

It's a masterpiece, obviously - even though the sheer scale of it is regarded as preposterous by today's (what are laughingly called) standards.

Anyone who thinks it's boring or "full of filler" is a silly, modern, attention-deficit- disorder-suffering bedwetter.

Innit?

[yesyadda]

I love Tales more than I love Paris. Now that's dedication.

[orpheus]

I really like parts of it. I love Revealing Science and parts of Ritual the rest I have to be in the mood to listen. A lot of it is kind of bombastic but when it shines, it shines,

I was reading a music review of top albums in the history of rock and they said Tales was single-handedly responsible for starting the punk rock backlash. I think this is overdoing it. What about Peter Frampton?

[Frosted Sun]

Love it. Listening to the Yessongs album Vol. I, II and III that is from 1972 and then to TFTO from 1973 back to back on an overnight weekend is really a feast to the ears.

[Imperatrix]

Anyone who thinks it's boring or "full of filler" is a silly, modern, attention-deficit- disorder-suffering bedwetter.

Innit?

:winknudge

[pedro skychaser]

And I wore the tee shirt last night to a family gathering after the Wakeyradio show Saturday morn.

:yesbird:

I WEAR MINE PROUDLY EVERY SATURDAY MORNING DOWN ILLAWARRA ROAD................AND REMEMBER THE night i got it air-freighted from th US, in a pizza box, my sister julie's 21ST , and i was in my room sailing over endless seas......

[Iowa Yes Fan]

TFTO is a brilliant piece of work. It's my favorite for the time being. It is quite possible that it will remain up there, but Relayer is a close second.

LOL @ bedwetters Hex.

[YYY]

Not only is TALES a brilliant work of art, it's also a masterpiece at bringing sound and words together to form an incredible visual world. Both the music & lyrics create a mood that reflect the 4 scriptures of the Indian shastric. Each side is a musical interpretation of the scriptures reinforced by the lyrics. YES has always created visual music but TALES took this ability to higher level and continued this into RELAYER.

Read a detailed 'interpretation of TALES lyrics in my post '76 REVIEW OF TALES' at
http://yesfans.com/showthread.php?t=38269

[yesyadda]

Gosh I love this thread!

[MirokuLuvstheGirls]

I'd like to know something (forgive me for not voting here yet), I'm going to be making a trip to the music store soon, and I've been debating whether to get Tales from Topographic Oceans, or Relayer. TfTO was supposed to be horrible, or so I've heard, but I'd probably love it since I'm a YesFREAK, but Relayer was supposed to be a bit more favorable.


So, I'd like to know, (again, forgive me for not voting, if I was supposed to or something) should I get Tales from Topographic Oceans or Relayer, which one's better?

[yesyadda]

Frankly, I took to Tales right away for some reason. Relayer is also fantastic! You can't go wrong either way. You'll eventually get them both, right?

[MirokuLuvstheGirls]

Frankly, I took to Tales right away for some reason. Relayer is also fantastic! You can't go wrong either way. You'll eventually get them both, right?


Indeed. So then, I'll get Tales first, then Relayer. (I've been buying the Yes albums in chronological order anyway) Also, there's been a lot of positive comments on Tales here.


Thanks for the help there!

[Timmo]

Get both. They're very different, but both excellent.

Relayer is my favorite Yesdisc.

[pedro skychaser]

CTTE+TALES+RELAYER are like the himalayas MLTG, tall+imposing+impossibly beautiful at every turn, duck behind the sofa for spare coins,wash your uncle's car,sell that IPOD on EBAY...these 3 discs will stand you in good stead...

i mean they are as cool as HALO3,white stripes,MUSE,bjork,various icelandic bands,marsVolta,early radiohead,jack black directed by michel gondry...

nah,thats selling them short,
all three justify western civilisation!

[CybrKhatru]

Miroku--

If you can afford to do it, get both at the same time.

If not, going chronological (Tales and then Relayer) makes sense.

Both are different yet equally brilliant IMO.

[MirokuLuvstheGirls]

Miroku--

If you can afford to do it, get both at the same time.

If not, going chronological (Tales and then Relayer) makes sense.

Both are different yet equally brilliant IMO.


OK then.



Thank you all for your opinions on the matter. I'll try to get both if I can. If not, then I'll get Tales, and then later on Relayer, of course.

[yesyadda]

Cool! That's the order in which I got them too! ;)

(and so... the journey begins...)

[cjreyes]

I said it's a really great album. It's not my favourite, but it is in my top 20 Yesalbums.

[MirokuLuvstheGirls]

Well, I bought Tales from Topographic Oceans yesterday, and all I have to say is:























WTF??? Why did all the critics bash this album? By far, this is one of Yes' BEST ALBUMS. Forget the stupid critics, this is a MASTERPIECE!!!


Sure, maybe it's not EVERYBODY'S cup of tea, but I loved it. And Rick Wakeman is BRILLIANT on this album! There we go, my opinion.

[YYY]

WTF if you loved it the first time then wait til you've heard it hundreds of time. It just get better. The Ancient is one that some...ur-fans...seem to bash or give less props. I've never understood this. IMHO it's different than anything they've done at any point. It's sheeeer brilliants. When you get to Relayer. Just sit back and hold on for the ride of your life!

[yessound_chaser81]

It took a couple times for this beautiful piece of music to fully digest. I love it, it's one of the best Yes albums (CttE and Relayer are wonderful too)!
This is one of my favorite albums of all time, but I have to be in the mood for it, usually just listening to the first two songs because the phone rings or the cat breaks something.

[CerebralJazz85]

yessound_chaser81, I’m glad you listen to this one. This is the one that separates your bigtime Yes fans and the hardcore diehards. For anyone reading this that is just getting their feet wet with the music of Yes, this album is THE LAST album you should attempt consuming or adding to your collection. Double album - with only four tracks - you’re damn right you should save this one for last. Recorded in ‘73, it sits sandwiched between sister albums - ‘Close to the Edge’ and ‘Relayer’. And whereas CCTE and Relayer are mirrors of one another - one album side track and two relatively shorter compositions with ‘And You and I’ and ‘To Be Over’ acting as companion pieces, Tales From Topographic is four behemoth recordings. And as 2/3 of CCTE and Relayer are full of fire and breathtaking musical passages, Tales chugs along quietly, keeping pace until its epic storytelling style is disturbed by subtle surprises.

I remember the reaction I had the first time I heard the first track - The Revealing Science of God. My friend had made me a copy because I had kept putting off purchasing it for years. I listened to the opening vocal refrain a couple of times and called him up immediately. I thought there was something wrong with the copy he had given me - I had never heard a Yes track that didn’t open with a long musical introduction and this one had begun with just words with no accompaniment. It was so un-Yes like. What is also unconventional about this recording is that the bass does not feature prominently and there’s not much in the way of soloing. But the Ancient got my fusion side all ‘jazzed’ up and ‘Ritual’ has recently become my overall favourite. This is not one for your casual Yes listener.

[yesyadda]

That's a wonderful synopsis. I'll be listening to Tales until my dying day.

[CerebralJazz85]

Thanks. I'm listening to it now. 'Science' is almost over.

[remembering]

Lets be totally honest about this album. 80+ minutes of the most superb pure unadulterated progressive music that has ever been written or will ever be written. I just don't understand people who don't like this album. There is nothing there not to like. I first heard this live on the tales tour and I suppose there was a bit of 'What was that all about'. Bought the album as soon as I could afford to and play it constantly. In fact I have been doing quite a bit of driving over the past few days ( I say driving but most of that has been stuck in traffic jams) anyway I have been playing Tales in the car and it still amazes me today 30 odd years later just how good this all is
__________________________________________________ ______
I Reach Over and the Fruit of Life Stands Still

[MirokuLuvstheGirls]

When you get to Relayer. Just sit back and hold on for the ride of your life!


Indeed, I bought Relayer along with Tales, and I loved it! Relayer is, IMO, their magnum opus, but Tales comes in close, and is one of, if not THE, discounting Relayer, most brilliant album from Yes.