TARKUS

I took the Tarkus test when I first heard ELP many years ago doing their ultimate epic on a live album. I sought this album out to add to my collection as it certainly is one of the best this band has to offer. In every department the 20 minute Tarkus epic is mind blowing, and a prime example of the progenitors of symphonic prog with the virtuoso musicianship of the three band members. Tarkus is in many parts which makes perfect sense on each listen as there are defined breaks in structure as each movement begins. The track acts as a type of multimovement suite in the same way a classic piece of Vivaldi or Beethoven is structured. There are times of serene beauty and these are complimented by washes of synthesizer and cymbal splashes. The pace gets hectic with each movement progressing into jagged guitar solos and percussive showmanship. The vocals are memorable, and burst in and out of the cacophony of sound.

Tarkus is quite simply quintessential prog and if you have not heard it, treat your ears to a listen at your nearest convenience - you will be astounded by this bombastic masterpiece. The other tracks on the album are surprisingly ordinary when compared to the title track.

We have 'Jeremy Bender', a satirical piece of nonsense that is annoying at best, though is not as bad as the Elvis impersonation of "Are you ready Eddy?" - actually the less said about this the better.

'Bitche's Crystal' is a great track that rocks out. And the other tracks are passable. So it is a flawed masterpiece, experimental and, as most ELP albums are, full of brilliance and yet scattered throughout are cringe-worthy moments. I still think this is a worthy addition to a prog collection because 'Tarkus' is one of the best tracks I have ever heard, and in 20 minutes never manages to become boring.

Better than this album however is the brilliant album you must hear before you die, 'Brain Salad Surgery'.