IN THE HOT SEAT

Two years after ELP's attempted comeback with "Black Moon", they try again with "In the Hot Seat". Their comeback didn't improve their status with old fans or with new ones, but at least on "Black Moon", their were a couple of slightly heavier tracks among the top 40 style pop songs they were trying to hang their new hat on regardless of their previous reputation of being one of the most talented bands out there. But, it was still a disappointment.

"in the Hot Seat" was the next album in line to be offered, but problems plagued the trio including things that affected their performance health wise and ego wise. This time around, any glimmers of hope would be totally extinguished as every one of the songs on this album were sub-par that even the pop world didn't have time to waste. Not too many old fans were impressed with this album either, and pretty much lost any faith that a even a decent album would come out of their later years.

"Hand of Truth" pretty much picks up where "Black Moon" left off, not that impressive. "Daddy" takes the album down another level with it's attempt at a tear jerker along the lines of "Cats in the Cradle" or something, and after that, the album spirals down the black hole of boredom. This album is always very difficult to get through because there is always that thought in the back of the listener's mind, "What happened to this band? Where did it all go wrong?"

This would end up being the last studio album the trio could do together, and that is the only saving grace here. It's hard to write a review as scathing as this about a group that was so influential, talented and imaginative as this one. It is also hard to say that this is all one can say about this album as none of the songs really stand out one from the other. The material was so bad, even their cover of Bob Dylan's "Man in the Long Black Coat" was shameful, that they would have been better off never attempting a comeback after the already disappointing "Love Beach". At least we now don't have to wonder if they would have been able to really return to the form of their earlier years.