Original

This is album number 5 and was released in December of 1973. Another one I bought as soon as I saw it in the store. The Record initially sold well but critics generally didn’t like it. The record has four side long pieces based on some kind of Hindu philosophy. Its a gatefold cover with artwork by Roger Dean again. Jon Anderson was the main lyricist and all members contributed to the music. It can be a little overblown at times but there are good sections in all the tracks. The most adventurous side is side three, the rhythm heavy “The Ancient (Giants Under The Sun)” After some great percussion and bass Steve Howe adds his guitar sounding a bit like Robert Fripp. About halfway through Howe plays a long acoustic solo with Anderson singing a few verses. The music sounds mostly like what other Progressive bands were playing at the time like Genesis and King Crimson. I have seen them perform “The Remembering (High The Memory)” and “The Ritual (Nous Somme Du Soleil)” in concert. Rick Wakeman was dissatisfied with the record and left during the tour. Another record that doesn’t sound too good. Steve Wilson has released a remix that I might check out if I see it.