LIZARD

I may be only 19, but I feel I can accurately assess "Lizard". Quite simply put, it is the best progresseive album ever. Sure, the naysayers will have their jibes, but in no other work are jazz, classical, and rock so finely amalgamated as in this. For a taste of true progressive, one need look no further into the pantheon than "Cirkus"; the beautiful acoustic passages combine with the brass-driven theme to create a swirling, often disorienting and frightening ether through which the beautiful sax of Mel Collins swims. "Indoor Games" is funky avant-garde jazz with some amazing syncopated guitar. "Happy Family" is a Pete Sinfield's finest lyric on the album--a bittersweet piece about the Beatles' break-up. "Lady of the Dancing Water" is a gentle folk-like ballad with glorious flute artistry courtesy of the aforementioned Mr. Collins.

And the title track itself...well, that's a whole different creature. The heavenly voice of Yes' Jon Anderson rides the cascade of Keith Tippet's piano in "Prince Rupert Awakes" before the cadence of Andy McCulloch's drums opens the "Bolero"--in which the enchanting oboe theme is reminiscent of a Mozart concerto; battle is joined in "Glass Tears", with the soldiers' waking at "Dawn Song", fighting in their "Last Skirmish", and being the cause of "Prince Rupert's Lament"; finally, the sounds of the circus--the circus that is life--return in "Big Top".

The album is more than a classic; it is more than ephemeral. The sounds are those of eternity itself...may they live forever.