EMERSON LAKE & PALMER

This is my favorite ELP album. The fellas in the band were simply playing the music that they liked without the big egos they would later develop, but also with a touch of naivety. The albums opens up with Greg Lake's distorted bass sound, in a similar style as "21st Century Schizoid Man" from King Crimson's first album, but with the addition of Emerson's present piano and hammond organ instead of Fripp's guitar. We hear a potent band but if the whole album was in this style it would quickly get boring. Luckily that's not the case! "Take a Pebble" exemplifies Lake's strong ability to also play guitar, but other than that it's a gorgeous and subdued, something you wouldn't expect from ELP. The middle section is excellent as well with Emerson quoting classical works over a modal riff. "Knife's Edge" is a catchier rock song with more baroque soloing from Emerson. "The Three Fates" is altoghether a more ambitious work and forshadows their more elaborate albums that are seen as masterpieces. We hear a pompous church organ resembling medieval music with the parallel fourths. Emerson takes us on a trip through different sounds in his arsenal. "Tank" is Carl Palmer's showcase but it has a good theme as well. Is there anyone who doesn't know the last track? I've always liked hearing it on classic rock stations myself. This is a great introduction to the band, and essential to any prog rock collection!