TARKUS

Emerson, Lake & Palmer's second studio album was released in June 1971 on Island Records, a label on which we can find King Crimson, Uriah Heep, Procol Harum, Jethro Tull and Renaissance, all releasing very strong albums. 'Tarkus' is undoubtedly one of the 70s prog rock classic albums, an absolutely mandatory listen for everyone who ventures into this obscure and broad genre of music.

The music, however, is quite difficult to categorize, which hints for the progressive nature of it. Still, 'Tarkus' was a tremendous commercial success for the scope of prog rock, surprisingly or not.

Side one, occupied by the sublime title track - a real 'model song' for many bands in the genre. One of the best side-long epics of all time, and also one of the first, a composition in seven parts and a concept piece, the band decided to make the odd-numbered sections instrumental, and the even-numbered ones vocal. Singing about battlefields and people dying from the consequences of their own sinful actions, the concept has always been open to interpretation - connected strongly to the artwork and the titles of the seven sections.

Side two is, on the other hand, the really weak spot in ELP's early 70s discography. A collection of shorter songs that have no connection to 'Tarkus', or to each other, quite well-known among prog rock's admirers but surely not so well received.

As mush as it is quintessential for the genre, 'Tarkus' suffers from the mediocre side two, which is in stark contrast with the aggressive and focused title track, with all the complex passages and insane keyboard fiesta, the lyrics that have become iconic and the manic drumming of Carl Palmer. Still, this would not be a reason to diminish the record as anything rather than an excellent addition to any prog rock collection.