BRAIN SALAD SURGERY

2,5 stars because it is a peak in progressive rfock in its own way , but I'm not sure this is a positive way. Most ELP fans vote for this one as their fave album and it is easy to see why. Apart from the stunning fold-out artwork sleeve , there are IMO some major flaws with this album.

This is the album where ELP goes overboard as Yes did with Tales Of Topographic Ocean or Jethro Tull with A Passion Play. I believe that ELP was still faithfull to themselves as they did this album with great care but probably were too confident that they could do no wrong. But they did!!Karn Evil 9 is , of course the highlight but I find it over-long, intently difficult and relatively obtuse in purpose and self-importance - (Welcome Back My Friend To The Show That Never Ends) - surely this track never ends. I also hate the fake carrib steel drums (and if they are real , I hate them also) in the third movement. Toccata is another of the re-working the classics and Bouncer is yet another ragtime piece - Boooring!!! Actually the only thing I can still ear is the Lake-penned Still, You Turn Me On - the obvious commercial track.

Best avoid starting with this album as this might put off the newcomers. In itself this is still a classic but to me , this is not essential and rarely listen to it .