TRILOGY

I don't know why many people consider this album to be better than TARKUS, but it's clearly not, just more accessible. Only the opening piece, the three-part "Endless Enigma" lives up to the promise that Tarkus left. "From the Beginning" is a quiet and soothing half- acoustic ballad with lyrics that reflect on an ended love affair. The vocal performance by Lake is understated but still one of his best. "The Sheriff" is a cousin to "Jeremy Bender", only with a Western theme and a slight improvement melodically over the latter. Another great performance by Greg Lake. The title track opens well, but as it progresses it just turns tedious. It's clearly a less inspired effort by Emerson and Lake, specially lyrically.

"Living Sin" is a somewhat better song, with spooky undertones and an uncharacteristically deep Greg Lake voice. It is one of their strangest songs and that says a lot! "Abbadon's Bolero" is not a bad way to end this record, yet it can be boring the more you play it.

So I think Trilogy is not among ELP's greatest works. Endless Enigma is the only classic ELP song here (and arguably "From the Beginning"). Other songs are enjoyable enough to listen to a few times, but they provide no lasting impression or listening value on me. If you are looking for another classic ELO record like Tarkus, I suggest you try Brain Salad Surgery and skip this one. That doesn't mean Trilogy isn't a good album, it just feels kinda rushed and too commercial.