ELP missing from PA Top 100 Choices

The T wrote: It's funny how it's always the new guy who has been here barely one day who decides to tell us what's wrong and what's right and blasts PA's current status-quo...

ELP are certainly a band that either attract unbridled adoration or complete antipathy (there just ain't no middle ground with this trio)

It should of course be taken on board that the charts on this site merely reflect a broad consensus (and ain't it funny how those individuals who would otherwise embrace democracy, abhor same in the arts when it contradicts their own tastes ?)

I love ELP to bits, but would say that those interpreting the charts as a reliable measure of  a band's historical contribution to prog are at best, misguided. The charts are a dynamic phenomenon, i.e. they're gonna mirror contemporary developments in prog like tech/extreme metal etc.

I also share the belief that ELP as a band did not sit easily with the hippies that continue to ensure CTTE, SEBTP, TAAB etc ride high in the charts and this must have contributed to their being chosen as prog's sacrificial offering to the Punk monster, (as an embodiement of everything the latter held to be repugnant about the genre).  The irony of this choice of victim will not be lost on you, as ELP were blamed for the lazy compositional indiscipline that steadily encroached into the work of Yes, Jethro Tull and Genesis. (before all three idealistic hippy combos became full time pop jingle writers rather than compromise their integrity yes ?)

ExittheLemming wrote: ELP are certainly a band that either attract unbridled adoration or complete antipathy (there just ain't no middle ground with this trio) It should of course be taken on board that the charts on this site merely reflect a broad consensus (and ain't it funny how those individuals who would otherwise embrace democracy, abhor same in the arts when it contradicts their own tastes ?) I love ELP to bits, but would say that those interpreting the charts as a reliable measure of  a band's historical contribution to prog are at best, misguided. The charts are a dynamic phenomenon, i.e. they're gonna mirror contemporary developments in prog like tech/extreme metal etc. I also share the belief that ELP as a band did not sit easily with the hippies that continue to ensure CTTE, SEBTP, TAAB etc ride high in the charts and this must have contributed to their being chosen as prog's sacrificial offering to the Punk monster, (as an embodiement of everything the latter held to be repugnant about the genre).  The irony of this choice of victim will not be lost on you, as ELP were blamed for the lazy compositional indiscipline that steadily encroached into the work of Yes, Jethro Tull and Genesis. (before all three idealistic hippy combos became full time pop jingle writers rather than compromise their integrity yes ?)

  Very good points but I don't think Ian ever steered Jethro Tull to the pastures that 80's Yes and Genesis grazed in.

ELP is not in the Top 100...oh well. I still love them (gave ELP a 5 and will review the rest of their early albums: thinking a Tarkus- 4, Trilogy-5 and BSS-3) and really don't lose sleep over that kind of thing

ExittheLemming wrote: ELP are certainly a band that either attract unbridled adoration or complete antipathy (there just ain't no middle ground with this trio) It should of course be taken on board that the charts on this site merely reflect a broad consensus (and ain't it funny how those individuals who would otherwise embrace democracy, abhor same in the arts when it contradicts their own tastes ?) I love ELP to bits, but would say that those interpreting the charts as a reliable measure of  a band's historical contribution to prog are at best, misguided. The charts are a dynamic phenomenon, i.e. they're gonna mirror contemporary developments in prog like tech/extreme metal etc. I also share the belief that ELP as a band did not sit easily with the hippies that continue to ensure CTTE, SEBTP, TAAB etc ride high in the charts and this must have contributed to their being chosen as prog's sacrificial offering to the Punk monster, (as an embodiement of everything the latter held to be repugnant about the genre).  The irony of this choice of victim will not be lost on you, as ELP were blamed for the lazy compositional indiscipline that steadily encroached into the work of Yes, Jethro Tull and Genesis. (before all three idealistic hippy combos became full time pop jingle writers rather than compromise their integrity yes ?)

I would have thought that at least 50% of people who like Yes and Genesis also like ELP.

Negoba wrote: In the beginning the 6 string talisman gave power unto its holders, powers of influence over others, powers to move and shake the land. Soon enough had heard its call that new realms of music and fresh ways of thinking spread across the land. The world was ripe for change, led by the curvaceous beauty of the instrument.   And then came a proud group of musicians who instead worshipped an instrument of their own making. And still the 6 string blessed the ones that kept it in their midst. But then ELP came along, spurning the magic item that allowed their profession to exist. Turning away from some devout 6 string disciples, they invoked a curse upon their kind. Even the ungracious ELP was given rewards when the talisman was included, money and fame floating in their lucky laps.   But finally they rejected the master completely, and were left to rot on a humiliating beach to wither in the sun.   Let this be a warning to those who disparage the disciples of the 6 string, for lo, even now those disciples rule the PA, much to the chagrin of some. Do not follow the ways of the proud ELP.

Very good point and entertainingly expressed. I have no (cough)..axe to grind and do not use the term 'hippies' in a pejorative sense (or wish to undermine their integrity), but I have always detected both they and the prog community at large, viewed ELP with a reserved cynicism. It's almost as though they suspected that ELP were wearing suits under their stage outfits (like plain clothes policemen at a 'happening')

Hey ho....

ExittheLemming wrote: ELP are certainly a band that either attract unbridled adoration or complete antipathy (there just ain't no middle ground with this trio)

Edited by Ivan_Melgar_M - May 01 2009 at 20:41

I'm one of those odd people in the middle ground regarding ELP as well.  I don't dislike them, and I like Tarkus and parts of Brain Salad Surgery, but overall I'd have to give them the 3-star rating, "Good, but non-essential."  Of course, that's just my opinion.  One of the many, many things I love about prog is that so many people enjoy so many different styles of it, and that there's something to suit everyone.  The fact that some of the classic albums catch the attention and love of a lot of people on here more than others doesn't bother me, and from the first time I visited this sacred website I realized the top 100 as what they are; a good representation of various bands which various people like to varying degrees and which may or may not be good starting points into prog, and which I may or may not like.  It's just a matter of opinion.  

cacho wrote: ^completely agree! Love Beach is a OK pop album, just like Big Generator, Abacab and Genesis.

love the 'cab