Yes – ‘Tales From Topographic Oceans’ Album Review | Logan Sounds Off

Today on Logan Sounds Off, I am going to be sharing an album review of ‘Tales From Topographic Oceans’ by the progressive rock band Yes.

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4 suites in one record!

Yes’s ‘Tales From Topographic Oceans’ is a record that is relatively new to me, as the first time I heard it was when my father bought me the record. From the first time I heard it I was intrigued for a multitude of reasons, and I still am.

I think what stands out to me is that although on TFTO there are very long songs (20 min), they are jam packed full of different aspects and running motifs that make it so interesting as a listening experience. It is a very thorough and full record that through long passages reflects on itself and it’s past passages.

The themes developed, whether fun and playful or harsh and mysterious, are interesting, and show how diverse Yes’s musicality and creativity is. I think there are also a spiritual aspect to the album… primarily towards the back end of the record.

On the final track Ritual (Nous Sommes De Soleil – We Are The Sun), is not only a traditionally quirky and interesting track like most prog is – like the title, Ritual has some spiritual aspects which make it a satisfying and as well as this provocative ending.

I think while mentioning provocative, we have to understand how interesting and provoking this record is, with musical tones such as soaring sounds like the pedal steel guitar we hear, or the harsh stabs that pierce the beauty and really throw us around. This record has a lot of different sounds – which makes sense, given that the album is 4 epics in around 120 minutes.

Overall, this record is an interesting record that I loved to listen to, and I think any prog or experimental fans would enjoy, and in general most music fans.