WORKS VOL. 1

Contrary to many of these reviews, I always liked this album. It seems when it came out, people were getting very "critical" of the excesses of progressive rock, and that heavily influenced the opinions of the album. I find it to have some pretty great music, period. The Piano Concerto is a fine pice of music that is very well performed. People were expecting Copland or Bernstein, which it isn't; but it is pretty great Emerson. The Lake side is OK, a bit long, maybe. Palmer's side is very good; interesting and well-played. And the last side is as good as any ELP. Yeah, Pirates is corny, but I think it was supposed to be "Hollywood" and I like it. It sounds like Hollywood Copland. Anyway, they did lose their edge and went in a different direction (they lost their fantasy quality). Maybe, they grew up a bit? But, it is very well performed, well written music. And that is what matters, isn't it?