TARKUS

I disagree with those who have said that there are throwaway tracks on this album. Frankly I do not beleive there is a single throwaway track on here! The band may not be playing to their full talent, and I certainly feel that their personal best (in my opinion), their self-titled debut, is a far cry from this, but this is still very good. ELP are such excellent musicians that even when they don't try too hard they still rock! Another thing I find is that perhaps the track positioning is what is getting to those that criticize this album more than it deserves. Imagine if the title track was positioned last, therefore saving the best for last and not giving the listener predisposed opinions on how good the next songs should be. To put Jeremy Bender, the worst track on the album, right after Tarkus will surely upset those with high expectations after the title track! Using the same trick Pink Floyd did on Meddle, this album may have gotten better results from the listeners if the masterpeice of the album played last. If people still think the songs after Tarkus suck regardless, that's ok, everyone is entitled to their opinions.

Tarkus: Obviously the best track by far. The song starts with a synth and then bursts into a typical dark, fast-paced ELP jam (Eruption). After its exciting start, the song eventually quiets into a calming, slower-paced part, with soft vocals from Lake and steady keyboards from Emerson (Stone of Years). Iconoclast creates another Eruption- Style part. Mass is a solemn but slightly jazzy part with emotional vocals from Lake and steady keyboards from Emerson. This begins to become faster and faster, with a repeating guitar chord that starts to become annoying after a while. Manticore is another part similar to Eruption and Iconoclast, after which Battlefield, a very good part of the song, begins. Is even more solemn than Mass, and also rather sad because it paints a picture of the destruction Tarkus (a gaint armored armadillo) has wrought. Lake's guitar whines in sympathy, and Emerson's Hammond, piano and synths carry a repetitve but enjoyable tune. Afterwards the final part, Aquatarkus, tells the tale of how the armadillo leaves to live in an ocean or river (I think?). It is a rather humourous enterpratation of the main theme in Battlefield with a faster tempo and a strange synth. The song ends with the beginning of Eruption, perhaps explaining that Tarkus is now terrorizing the creatures in the water. I forgot to mention that through this all Palmer is doing is usual excellent drumming.

Jeremy Bender: It's OK, but pretty bad. It's a slow paced song lead by Emerson's piano. The really annoying thing for me was the clapping engulfing most of the song- without it the song would improve. Lake's singing is a little off-key. Regardless, even this is listenable and not really a throwaway track.

Bitches Crystal: This is really good! A very silent synth or other keyboard begins, with a sudden burst or drumming and loud piano. Lake's vocals are great, but there are some screamy parts. The piano is very good, and it takes up most of the sound, but sometimes the silent synth/keyboard returns, with other synths as well. It's fairly fast-paced.

The Only Way: Starts with some Bach, and then changes to a very solemn hammond- based music. Lake's voice is quiet, and the lyrics are interesting.Almost no drumming.

Infinite Space: The title is a direct lyric in the previous song, and it also starts right after the previous song. In fact, I don't know why they didn't just make them both into one song! A repetitve tune is played on the piano, and there is no singing. Once again, little or no drumming. It is slow-paced but quite fun to listen to.

A Time and a Place: Excellent! Very dark and agressive, and strong Hammond Organ. Screamy vocals from Lake and great drumming from Palmer. Random lyrics, such as "Butter, Milk Cream/ You dance on a beam."

Are you Ready Eddy: Certainly the most fun the band had on this album, especially Emerson. The lyrics are rather odd. Lake's vocals echo, and are sort of distorted. The piano is very loosely following the vocals, but is cool. Mock-60s little voices follow Lake's saying "Ready Eddy Eddy" over and over.

So, this is an excellent album in my opinion, and I strongly beleive it is better than many before me have painted it to be, though they are entitled to express this. While not their best, it is far, very far from being their worst. If you hate piano, some screamy vocals, and agressive, loud music don't buy this. Otherwise, do! But if you are a newbie to ELP, start with their self-titled debut or perhaps Brain Salad Surgery. I hope you enjoy it as much as I!