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View Full Version : I wonder if there's a theme to this album...


Vulpes Namekaw
04-26-2003, 02:45 AM
Okay, here's my theory:

Roundabout: Yes presents itself as a band of eager explorers, preparing to sail the high seas in search of a new world of legend where mankind has never set foot before. The crew are excited but nervous. Numerous speeches are given. Jon, the captain, gives a rousing pep talk to his crew about the life of joy and laughter that awaits them in the new world. The crew members say goodbye to the people that they must leave behind them, remarking that they will always remember them. A priest is on hand to give warning to the crew about the dangers of travel, and the importance of their journey. The day of departure is marked with music and festivity, and as they set sail, they dream of what is to come.

Cans and Brahms: The crew exchange tales of their homeland, their dreams and aspirations for the new world, and pass around trinkets and artifacts that they have brought with them. It is a chance for the people to get to know each other, and be brought closer together.

We Have Heaven: They captain and crew have arrived in the new world, and it is beautiful beyond compare. The captain is especially proud of himself for having brought everyone safely, and he sends his servants to tell his crew that they will be moving deeper into the continent, into the mountanous terrain.

South Side of the Sky: Of course, no expedition is not without its hardships. The mountains are cold and treacherous, supplies are low, the crew are becoming weary, morale is failing, and a few are lost along the way. The remaining crew and the captain take refuge in a cave for the night, where the captain lies awake and contemplates the journey ahead, and wonders just how wise he was to lead his crew to an uncertain destination that they may never reach. He begins to feel homesick. But he resolves to continue, and should this prove to be disastrous, the Powers That Be will have their way with him when he dies.

Five Percent for Nothing: the weary captain has hallucinations of angels flying around him and his crew, and a voice in the distance suggests to him that he may have missed the true purpose of his journey.

Long Distance Runaround: The captain recieves another vision, this time of his homeland, now barren. His old friends, his wife and children are nowhere to be found. The entire coutryside is laid to waste. Not a single building on signpost can be seen. The captain thinks about his family and friends and wonders if he had taken them for granted, and whether he had really given them the attention that they deserved. Did he tell his wife that he loved her? He's pretty sure he can remember, but then he remembers that he didn't exactly leave her on good terms, and he didn't take the time to make it up to her.

The Fish, Shindleria Praematurus: The captain takes a walk by himself over to a river and gazes at it and the fish swimming along in it. It is a very serene and beautiful moment, and he feels at once deeply connected to nature. He realizes that perhaps he is no different from a fish in the river. Being one in an endless chain, being there to bring peace to the weary traveler. All the time, he has sought to conquer, but he has never taken the time to understand. A voice calls out the fishes' name, and he answers, unsure of exactly what he is doing. Of course, the voice is calling to everyone.

Mood for a Day: The next day, he calls his crew together, because he has an important message. They gather together in an open field, all sitting in the grass, and the captain looks at every singe one of them. This is his crew. His loyal crew. His only friends left in the world. He expresses his love and respect for each person there, and tells them to be ready for a most incredible story.

Heart of the Sunrise: The captain's confession. From the beginning of time, mankind has wandered the earth, unsure of his place, and has tried to make himself comfortable through conquest of lands and of peoples. Man is impatient and hasty, thinking only of self and personal gain. He builds roads, cities, mills, factories, buildings to block the sun. To block the hills and forests. To block himself from the earth. He has no time to think of what is best for everyone, for the earth. But a fortunate man will hear a call, sharp and distant, the voice of love, calling from the heart of the sunrise. At first, he will not understand it, and thus dismiss it, but it will continue to haunt him throughout his life. He will try to go about his business in the city, but he will always feel that he is lacking something. One day, he decides to drop everything and follow this voice. As he goes off into the unknown of his mind, the voice becomes clearer, and veils of confusion fall away. He lets himself be carried off by the voice, and the more he lets go, the more he understands. The more he retains. Eventually, it becomes perfectly clear what his purpose is. He must break the walls that separate him from people who are different from him, and he must not confine himself to the sterility of everything man-made. He must find a balance so that what he creates does not cause unnecessary destruction.

We Have Heaven Reprise: The captain awakes to find that it has all been a dream. He is at home with his family, perfectly safe. He smiles, and the scene closes.

That's how I see it.

Dances w/PURPLE
04-26-2003, 02:46 AM
GREAT to see this post. How are ya?

Vulpes Namekaw
04-26-2003, 02:59 AM
I'm doing quite well, thank you!
Eep! It's 2 AM! What am I doing up?! XP

Dances w/PURPLE
04-26-2003, 03:03 AM
where is Earl? He's the all nighter one for this board.
I simply cannot sleep tonight.

Got any new art work to share?

Sheerah
04-26-2003, 03:20 AM
Your mind is a gift from God, Vulpes.

Nautilus
04-26-2003, 05:23 PM
Handle With Care would probably be more appropriate than Cans and Brahms for such a theme.

Thoughtbecontact
04-27-2003, 08:55 AM
Vulpes' interpretation is quite creative and interesting. However,there is a theme to the work thathas been discussed at length by Bil Martin. The theme is present on the group numbers and obvious in the cover art. Fragile is about the world ecosystem. All the group pieces have nature themes.

Vulpes Namekaw
04-27-2003, 01:33 PM
Hmm...I guess I must have missed that.

zild
04-29-2003, 07:03 PM
Thats quite a story Vulpes. I never would have thought of that. Quite creative indeed! I'll think of this next time I listen.

Vulpes Namekaw
04-29-2003, 11:37 PM
Hmm...I'm tempted to send it to Jon Anderson and see what he thinks. :D

Gabriel
05-13-2004, 07:25 AM
That was a fantastic description of the songs!!! What a great read, thanks mate :)

Even though this was posted last year lol...I had to comment on it, bloody brilliant. Gives me alot more imagery for my listenings now.