LOVE BEACH

To tell you the truth, I don't really find this album an abomination at all. Sure, the first side have them playing classic rock/pop with Greg Lake sounds like a lounge singer instead of the guy who sang in Epitaph and the second side is an uninspired (for them) epic. However, do not blame the members so much (who even themselves have a strong dislike for this album). Love Beach was recorded quickly (I think I heard that it was recorded in two days) and as an obligation to a label. I also read that the guys were already tired and wanted to call it a day, and they had this burden to record an album quickly. So, you wouldn't expect these guys to record something great. On a positive note, the sound quality is crystal clear, the short songs usually are not boring and many melodies are acceptable if you are willing to forgive the horrible lyrics.

Emerson ruins All I want is You with his goofy synths. The composition is not that bad, despite the band sounding like it is going through the motions. The album starts on a bad note. 3/10

Love Beach has more memorable melodies but the Greg sometimes sounds like a bad imitation of Robert Plant and the song's mood and the lyrics I'm gonna make love to you in love beach perfectly capture the album cover, which looks like a playgirl magazine april fool's day cover. 4/10

The silly Taste of My Love sounds like the main theme of a pornographic movie. Once again, it is a song dominated by Greg's embarrasing lyrics and guitar lines. Palmer again seems uninspired and Emerson plays his silly synths. The following lyric is so bad it's funny: I'm gonna love you like nobody ever loved you, climb on my rocket and we'll fly. 4/10

The Gambler is a supposedly groovy blues tune that doesn't sound at all like ELP. Emerson himself plays a goofy solo and then there's an abominable call and response performance between Lake and a girl going ohhhh ahaaa. 2.5/10

For You starts with an odd-sounding electric guitar intro that appears to me like a weak imitation of Yes-Roundabout. Luckily a well-arranged romantic mood not only redeems the intro but makes it the clear highlight of the album for me. The melodies and instrumental arrangements are more thought-out and inspired and Emerson finally uses the right synthesizer sounds and plays nice motifs with them. The electric guitar tone is great as well. 7/10

While most reviewers call Canario the highlight, it starts with a pathetic groove and the synthesizer tone are pretty irritating. This classical adaptation is very weak and reminds me of Wakeman's silliest songs in Rhapsodies, except that it has a very messy climax. 3.5/10

Memoirs of an Officer and a Gentleman is the slightly dull epic, though luckily is not as mediocre as you might think. It begins with acoustic piano and vocals, continues with pleasant and inoffensive balladry. Piano and vocals return with pleasant yet forgettable music. A more rock section later with a neat electric-harpsichord motif that reminds me of Gentle Giant. When vocals return, the music is probably the most inspired in this epic and turns a bit jazzy. I like the vocal deliveries and the Gentle-Giant style electric piano motifs. The song ends with a military rhythm and a positive synthesizer motif. In summary, the song is never irritating, maybe a bit dull in some moments. 5/10

C'mon, the album is not the worst prog album of all times. I do not think it is even a bad album. Just a band being forced to do something quickly when they just wanted to rest.

Share this EMERSON LAKE & PALMER review

Social review comments () BETA

---

---

Review related links

• Send comments to Zitro
• Report this review (#168110)
• Buy EMERSON LAKE & PALMER music online with PA partners
• Show all EMERSON LAKE & PALMER MP3/Stream
• Go to EMERSON LAKE & PALMER page for videos, full discography with ratings, reviews and much more
• Go to Love Beach page for more details, where to buy and ratings/reviews
• Search the Forum for EMERSON LAKE & PALMER related discussions