TRILOGY

A solid album. Other than the bolero (which is a good bolero, I just find the form boring as a general rule) and The Sheriff, this is a great album. The first three tracks more or less make up The Endless Enigma (with the excellent Fugue stuck between the two parts acting as a sort of instrumental section). This is the best thing on the album and one of ELP's better pieces. I like the lyrics, the singing, the arrangements, and the outstanding playing from all members. From the Beginning is a pleasant Lake pop song that I remember hearing on the radio when I was younger. It is far less cheesy than Lucky Man, and not nearly as overplayed by radio stations back in the day (or even now, by "classic rock" stations). Not quite as good as Still You Turn Me On, but close. Hoedown is a great adaptation of the Copeland piece. While being much better in the faster live version, this is still very good. Great bass playing by Lake and some outstanding moog work by Emerson. The Sheriff is slightly better than the "joke" songs from the previous album, but still not that interesting to me. The high speed, old west piano bar outro is good fun though. The title track starts magnificently and gets a bit less interesting as it goes on, but is still a great track. Lakes singing on this one is some of his best ever. Living Sin I always thought was a great prog song. Very interesting rhythms on this one and an interesting arrangement. A shame that the bolero had to end such an otherwise strong album. As I said, it is a well done bolero, but it's just dull as far as I'm concerned.

A spot on 4 stars for this one. One of ELP's better albums and probably one of the least overblown and pretentious (not that I mind that sort of thing, of course.....I am a prog fan after all).