Tales from Topographic Oceans is the sixth studio album from the English
rock band
Yes, released as a
double album on 7 December 1973 by
Atlantic Records. It is a
concept album based on singer
Jon Anderson's interpretation of a footnote in
Autobiography of a Yogi (1946) by
Paramahansa Yogananda that describes four bodies of
Hindu texts, collectively named the
shastras. After he pitched the idea to guitarist
Steve Howe, the two wrote the themes and instrumentation of four, side long tracks based on each text. Keyboardist
Rick Wakeman disagreed with the album's concept and the musical direction of the album, and left the group after its tour.
Following its release,
Tales from Topographic Oceans received a mixed critical reception and became a symbol of
progressive rock
excess with its detailed concept and lengthy songs. However it was a
commercial success, becoming the first UK album to qualify for
Gold certification based on pre-orders alone. It topped the
UK Album Chart for two weeks and reached number 6 in the US, where it reached
Gold certification for over 500,000 copies sold. Yes
toured
the album from November 1973 to April 1974 with a set that featured the
album performed in its entirety. The album was reissued in 1994 and
2003; the latter with bonus tracks. An
edition with new stereo and
5.1 surround sound mixes by
Steven Wilson was released in October 2016.
| 1. |
"The Revealing Science of God (Dance of the Dawn)" |
20:25 |
| 1. |
"The Remembering (High the Memory)" |
20:38 |
| 1. |
"The Ancient (Giants Under the Sun)" |
18:35 |
| 1. |
"Ritual (Nous Sommes du Soleil)" |
21:37 |
Tales From Topographic Oceans is the fifth in a series of remixed and
expanded Yes classics. The album has been remixed in both stereo and 5.1
surround sound from the original studio masters by
Steven Wilson, and
is fully approved by Yes. Also includes the original mix in high
resolution, and bonus material, including a complete alternate version
of the album using live tracks and studio run throughs.
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