THE POLITE FORCE

The Polite Force remains one of the landmark first generation progressive albums. Adventurous beyond anything else at the time it was released, it remains a record with unique and timeless charms.

The lengthy opener "A Visit to Newport Hospital" never fails to conjure its singularly bewitching magic. The only other song I have ever heard that comes close would be "Nine Feet Underground" by Caravan, another Canterbury keyboard epic which, like "Newport Hospital" is filled with otherworldly keyboard performances that transport one to another world. Both songs have that powerful quality of being able to take one on a 'trip' to somewhere else entirely...and that 'somewhere' is truly beautiful and wondrous. Newport Hospital' alone is worth buying this record for.

Beyond that, Long Piece #3 is what may rightfully be called Egg's 'Tarkus'; their signature, epic work. Filled with many different moods, colors and time signatures it also stands as a unique piece of music. While there is a distinct relationship to other Canterbury bands like Caravan and Soft Machine, there is also a singularity that clearly puts EGG in a class by themselves. No other band employed the complex song structures and time signatures that Egg used as the hallmark components of their unique style.

The Polite Force is an essential and must-have record.