TARKUS

Most likely ELP's most ignored album, Tarkus is a stroke of musicmanship and mastery that can only be clessic Emerson Lake and Palmer. Their sophomore album, it begind with the utterly brilliant "Tarkus", the tale and the adventures and misadventures of a giant armadillo tank. It is essentially a brilliant 20-minute keyboard solo courtesy of Mr. Keith Emmerson. Greg Lake's amazing vocals and lyrics paint the story of war, yet it's very subtle: There is no mention of Tarkus nor of his accomplishments, insted there are lyrics of war and battles fought, keeping the song's subject matter brilliantly subtle. "Jeremy Bender" is to ELP as "F*** a Dog" is to Blink-182. It's a joke song, a song meant to make parent's faces turn white. Of course "Jeremy Bender" is far more tame than anything Blink ever did. The rest of the album is an amazing ride as well. Be suer to check this one out if you love symphonic prog!