What I like about ELP

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   They don't get enough love, and the "bombastic" "pompous" and "dated" criticisms fall flat on my ears as well. They're a joy to listen to! They do definitely have more filler than their biggest contemporaries, but their highs are essential listening, and I find that the reports of filler on ELP albums tend to be a bit exaggerated (I love most of side 2 of Tarkus for example). For me they only really miss the mark with stuff like Tocatta and Abaddon's Bolero, which I don't dislike, but is rather difficult to sit through for as long as those pieces are. More impressive than enjoyable. Most of their stuff on those first few albums is much better than this.

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Sacro_Porgo Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Joined: July 15 2019 Location: Cygnus Status: Offline Points: 2057	Post Options Post Reply Quote Sacro_Porgo Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: August 18 2021 at 16:46
	They don't get enough love, and the "bombastic" "pompous" and "dated" criticisms fall flat on my ears as well. They're a joy to listen to! They do definitely have more filler than their biggest contemporaries, but their highs are essential listening, and I find that the reports of filler on ELP albums tend to be a bit exaggerated (I love most of side 2 of Tarkus for example). For me they only really miss the mark with stuff like Tocatta and Abaddon's Bolero, which I don't dislike, but is rather difficult to sit through for as long as those pieces are. More impressive than enjoyable. Most of their stuff on those first few albums is much better than this.
	Porg for short. My love of music doesn't end with prog! Feel free to discuss all sorts of music with me. Odds are I'll give it a chance if I haven't already! :)

Tethro Juul Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Groupie Joined: February 25 2020 Location: Ohio Status: Offline Points: 46	Post Options Post Reply Quote Tethro Juul Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: August 18 2021 at 15:30
	ELP is a band that is often disliked even among prog fans. Even people that used to love them seem to not be the biggest fans anymore. The common charges I see is that they're "bombastic", "pompous", and "excessive". The issue I take to these is that I don't think any of those adjectives is a bad thing and in fact, I often seek those traits often in music because it's uplifting to me to hear such a grand and expansive sound. Another common thing I hear about them is that they sound "dated". And while I agree they do have a different sound that is more alien compared to modern music than other prog acts of the time, I think this "dated" sound was because of how unique the band was and the technology of the sound. I mean, how many bands sound quite like ELP? I can't think of many, even in prog. The combination of their talent, group synergy, and technology made a lsound that was so unique that it sounds dated today, a unique sound I happen to enjoy. The last criticism of ELP and the most true, is the amount of filler in their albums. My personal solution to this issue is to make a playlist of their albums that omits the filler tracks. When you shave those off, I think you get quite flawless albums, or hald of a flawless album (cough Tarkus cough) I tend to treat listening to ELP almost like listening to some kind of artful electronic music, almost like an experience rather than a normal listening session. Knowing their goal was to make a grand art piece out of a rock template I reckon that's the way the band would like you to listen to it anyhow, it's all in perspective. Another thing I like about ELP is that Greg Lake is an amazing singer and when he's at his best be it on Karn Evil 9, Tarkus, or on TCOTCK he really shines. I think his vocals really help solidify ELP as a truly unique band. But anyway, I can't say enough praise of this amazing band and I'll probably always love them on the same level of Genesis, Yes, KC, ect... maybe even more on some days. Not bashing those bands though, I love them too. But ELP doesn't get enough love so I thought I'd make this thread. What do you like about ELP?