TARKUS

A mediocre album with one of my favourite songs of all times (Tarkus). So, if you want to get this album, get it for that track alone, because the rest is not that memorable.

Tarkus (11/10) is my favourite ELP piece, and may be in my top 5 songs of all times. Starting with a great jam, it sets the tone of the long piece of art. Then it switches back and forth the overly beautiful Singing sections with great ELP jams. The second half of the song is my favourite, which has my favourite organ solo of all times (the hammond organ used in a percussive way, until it goes berserk and accompained by a screaming electric guitar line). This is also the first ELP song that has military-like percussion. Another highlight has to be the cheap-sounding keyboard riff that really works, followed by a funny sounding synth solo that is very entertaining over a military rhythm. The song ends with a reprise of the intro.

Side B (5/10) : All songs are really mediocre, and some are downright awful 'are you ready eddy' 'jeremy bender', etc. However, some songs are good such as the hammon-organ showcase of ''a time and a place'/ I barely listen to side b anymore, only the amazing Tarkus suite

My Grade : B