BRAIN SALAD SURGERY

Much good work here, especially on the enormous Karn Evil 9. The problem with the album is that it's so cold and synthetic - the sleeve captures the spitit well. Even Greg Lake's accustic piece Still... you turn me on sounds lifeless. And it's not just the production. I think the root of the problem is that the band is taking itself far too seriously. I'd say the four stars are on the weak side. And why on earth, on the CD release, do we still have to live with the fade in/fade out in the middle of Karn Evil 9, 1:st impression, forced on us by the limitations of vinyl?