BRAIN SALAD SURGERY

Without a shade of doubt, the best Emerson Lake & Palmer release and one of my top 5 of 70's progressive rock albums. The concept of this record is very similar to what the band did on their previous release but this time proportions changed. Albums starts with popular British anthemic song Jerusalem. It's not a long piece but it's filled with the same pathos as Endless Enigma from Trilogy. It was released as a single as well (good ol' 70's) and I think it wasn't bad idea because it's really catchy song (yet filled with passion). Toccata is next one. It's sort of variation on Ginastera's piano concert and it's done in very avant-grade way. I'm not sure if it was a good idea but if song ended at 3:30 it would be fine. But it's over 7 minute long piece and it's way too chaotic. Still You Turn Me On is great ballad. It's in the vein of From The Beginning from Trilogy and it's same good in my opinion. Benny The Bouncer yeah honky tonk stuff far more dynamic than The Sheriff from previous album but it keeps the same scheme and proves both albums are done the same conceptual way. To me 'Benny' sounds a bit like old western song where ghosts of cowboys appear on the black and whire screen. Spooky. The main part of the album is three-piece suite called Karn Evil 9. First one is truly rock and roll, vivid and mighty (matchy bass lines simply hit to the bone, it's what Steve Harris did later in Iron Maiden). Somehow that little guitar solos apppearing here and there sound very modern and.... heavy metal? Anyway outstanding stuff. The second impression of Karn Evil is totally instrumental battle between Emerson and Palmer. Keith is probably the best modern artist. Spirit of Ginastera was in the studio. It's amazing how neo-expressionism mixes here with both nationalisms present in Ginastera's music btw. Listen to that Latin-American vibe in ELP music. That's it. Alberto was born in Buenos Aires:) Third impression is typical Emerson Lake And Palmer symphonic piece. But not exactly so typical because Soviet Union anthem fragment appeared somewhere near the end of this epic song. That cacophony put into impression symbolises war and pain, to me it's like total chaos and destruction. Very strong moment of the album. So after the half hour of Karn Evil 9 we finally reach the end. Without a shade of doubt, one of the strongest release ever. Three virtuosos and their MUSIC. Definitely a must in any prog fan collection.