TRILOGY

To me this is both the most consistent thing ELP ever did and their best sounding album. This was always my favourite album from the trio and I never understood why the debut and BSS and more well regarded. There is only one real cover/adaption of someone else's work (Copland's "Hoedown"), but it is one of the best cover tunes they ever did. Palmer even gets a writing credit in "Living Sin".

"The Endless Enigma (Part One)" is a great example of how rock and classical can be combined. The album begins with a heartbeat sound on bass drum, which predates DSOTM. Some synth and piano follow along with some percussion. Later bass comes in, then drums and the trio are off. Great mix of Lake's vocals and Emerson's organ. Love the chorus of "please! please!..." One of my favourite ELP tunes. Ends with piano which segues into... "Fugue" which is more great piano playing. Only 2 minutes long so it never feels too long. Some bass near the end. A little bit of triangle too.

"The Endless Enigma (Part Two)" in contrast starts off more jazzy. Then some bells, organ and synth before it continues in a similar fashion to Part One. "From The Beginning" is the best of Lake's ballads with the trio. Much better than "Lucky Man" or "Still...You Turn Me On". One of the few ELP songs you hear on 'classic rock' radio. Nice electric guitar solo, only topped by Emerson's synth solo. "The Sheriff" is the 'novelty' song here but is much better than both "Jeremy Bender" and "Benny The Bouncer". Has a false start, you can hear Palmer screw up and then says "sh*t!"

Emerson really shines on "Hoedown" with his organ and Moog playing. Love the Moog playing starting before 3 minutes. The title track starts off as a piano ballad with Lake singing. After some classical style piano soloing, the piano gets jazzy and then bass and drums come in as Emerson solos on Moog. Changes to a different jazzy section and Lake returns on vocals. More great Moog soloing.

The trio really rocks out on "Living Sin". Great drumming and Lake gives one of his best vocal performances. "Abaddon's Bolero" is a typical bolero with martial drumming and the track building towards a crescendo. Lots of overdubbed synths in this song and a great way to end the album. Not very much to say about this album other than it sounds great and is musically consistent throughout. A masterpiece of 1970s progressive rock. 5 stars.