TRILOGY

ELP's most "snuggly" album! Trilogy is equally praised and criticised for it's lack of conecpt and cohesion. I like the fact it's just a collection of songs. Not every prog album needs an "epynonymous epic" or some kind of underlying theme. But of course any album with this format is bound to have some filler. Thankfully here, it's minimal.

The title track is my favourite, although most people think it's weak. I'm not sure what it is but maybe it's more attractive to keyboard players (I dabble) given the Emerson domination. Other lengthy songs include that closing bolero, which is a nice idea but outstays it's welcome a bit in my opinion. And the multipart 'Endless Enigma', which I tend to regard as one track. This is nice too but I'm not sure if the reprise of the main song is neccesary (it's probably just a way of making the Fugue seem more significant; as a connector rather than just a short piano doodle). 'Hoedown' is a very cool western-classical cover. 'From the Beginning' is attacked because of it's commerciality, but I bet if it wasn't released as a single people would like it more. The soloing isn't as virtuosic is a lot of ELP but it's nice. 'The Sheriff' is the guilty pleasure that I hate on paper but can't help liking when I hear it. And the creepy 'Living Sin' is a throwaway track for sure.

So, a mixed bag here of quality and "cheese". The album flows well, with medicore yet consistent porduction quality and enough meat to last a while longer than Tarkus. Hipgnosis have done better album covers though...

Just as a footnote, it's become apparent to me that this album seems to have more of an effect if it's the first one you listen to of ELP. I bought 'BSS' first and feel closer to that one. Just a thought.... ...And I realised I've used the word 'nice' a few too many times in this review. It's a nice album though...