"Tales from Topographic Oceans" is a double album by English progressive rock band Yes, released in December 1973 on Atlantic Records. This explorative and ambitious album is based on singer Jon Anderson's interpretation of a footnote in "Autobiography of a Yogi" by Paramahansa Yogananda which describes four classes of Hindu scriptures named "Shastras".
The album consists of four tracks, each filling one side of a vinyl record. These are titled "The Revealing Science of God (Dance of the Dawn)", "The Remembering (High the Memory)", "The Ancient (Giants under the Sun)", and "Ritual (Nous Sommes du Soleil)". Each track is a musical interpretation of one of the four "Shastras."
Musically, it is a complex and largely instrumental exploration combining elements of folk, symphonic, psychedelic, hard rock and jazz, while using a variety of unconventional instruments such as bamboo drums and harp strings.
"Tales from Topographic Oceans" became a controversial piece upon release due to its conceptual and musical complexity. Band members themselves had differing opinions about the album; Rick Wakeman expressed disapproval of the album's direction, leading to his departure from the band in 1974. However, the album has achieved the status of a classic within Yes's catalog and remains a favorite among many progressive rock fans.
Despite its initial mixed critical reception, the album topped the UK Albums Chart for two weeks and reached number 6 on the US Billboard 200, implying commercial success. Its landmark status in the band's history was marked by a 2016 live performance tour by the band playing the album in its entirety.
