Tales From Topographic Oceans + HDCD = YES Heaven
Mike Hicks | Pensacola, FL USA | 02/13/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"For those who love this album, the recent Japanese issued HDCD version is just what the doctor ordered. Finally, the veil of muddiness (especially in the drum/percussion department) is lifted to a large degree. While not "crystalline", the production/sound is as good as it has ever been offered to the buyer of this album. It easily surpasses the sound quality of the 1994 remaster. A bit pricey ... but if you _love_ this album, like I do, consider buying this Japanese HDCD version. It's the best quality (presently) version of this much maligned album. Long Live TFTO!I LOVE IT!"
The Most Ambitious Work of Yes
drepf@tutopia.com | Buenos Aires, Argentina | 10/10/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Again I'm the first reviewer of a piece of art. Where are you looking at, people?.
The group is the classical, except for Alan White which replaces Bill Bruford with an unsuspected talent.
This is a four movement work, 20 minutes each. Everyone are Anderson-Howe-Yes' compositions.
The Revealing Science of God is the best of them, beautiful and consistent from the first to the last note. By the other three the group tries to groove into the soloist abbilities of those great musicians.
The Remembering is the most quiet, though it has rocking parts in the middle to avoid you fall asleep. Wakeman overcome with synth parts resembling the horizon landscapes that the cover mix between the lyrics. I think there's no piano on the whole record, and his approach is mostly "ambient-new age"-like.
The Ancient is based on Howe's guitars. This is the most experimental work of the entire Yes discography -but at a time compositively solid- ending with a spanish guitar solo derivated of course from Fragile's Mood for a Day.
Ritual is the piece to show Squire's bass skills, but also includes experimental percussion-synth parts, and calm songs to balance the whole piece.
Through opus like that progressive music have prooved it's point: rock with new instruments could be so qualified as the best composers of history."
Indulgent? Who cares!!!
Keijo Sandvik | Melbourne, Australia | 08/12/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I concur with Mr. Hicks.
This HDCD edition makes it possible to enjoy this work with far greater clarity and dynamic range than with any previous CD edition.
The mini LP sleeve is just a sight to behold. You may need a magnifying glass though!"
Track Listings (2) - Disc #1