Emerson, Lake and Palmer- 1970
Rating: 15
Debuts don't get much better then this
Best Song: Take a Pebble
Worst Song: There really isn't one
Best Song: Take a Pebble
Worst Song: There really isn't one
Wow. These guys really do know how to make a stunning debut! I really can not find a single flaw in this album. Every song on this album is fantastic, some more fantastic than others. Of course, ELP got better (and worse) as they went on, but this album is truly amazing.
It starts with "The Barbarian", in which Emerson's signature Hammond organ is first introduced. The guitar line later strums a single note and takes the song into a neat piano section. It then goes back into the main theme and ends. "The Barbarian" isn't the most amazing ELP song, but certainly is a spectacular album opening. Following that song is "Take a Pebble", which is Emerson and Lake domination. The beginning ballad is very nice, and the Emerson solo is joyful and fun. Suddenly, the Emerson solo ends, and Lake's guitar starts to play. The guitar starts quiet and nice but then it goes into a rodeo tune that reminds me of "The Clap" by Yes. However, that doesn't last too long until going back to Emerson's solo fest. Lastly, the ballad returns, and the song slowly comes to a end.
Next comes the great "Knife Edge", which, while not exactly original, is awesome. Emerson uses his Hammond organ again, and Lake's singing is clear yet slightly bitter (in a good way). The lyrics are interesting, and after the first two verses, Emerson breaks a sort of solo. After the solo, the next verse comes in, and the song slows down and kind of explodes into fireworks for no reason. The song after that is "The Three Fates". There is, well, three parts, each talking about one of the fates. The first fate, Clotho, features the signature Hammond, and is kind of strange. The second fate, Lachesis, is a two minute piano segment. The third fate, Atropos, is easily the strangest part. Emerson, after sort of repeating part of the first part, plays his piano as Greg and Palmer quickly play their instruments as the song becomes an awesome yet chaotic segment. Then the song, like the last song, it explodes for no reason. I don't understand it, but it sounds pretty cool, so I don't care!
"Tank" comes right after "The Three Fates", and a good Palmer drum line comes in. Greg and Emerson quickly come in for a while until you just hear Emerson and Palmer. Palmer goes into an exciting drum solo featuring my favorite addition to his drum set, the gong. After the three minute drum solo, the song goes into a march-like section in which Emerson uses a Moog synthesizer. After the song fades out, the ballad "Lucky Man" begins. It seems sort of simple, but I enjoy it greatly. After two verses and choruses, some guitar plays over the backing vocals. Then two more sections come in, and Emerson does a Moog solo until the song ends. The solo was recorded in a single take without Emerson even knowing they would include it on the album.
"Emerson, Lake, and Palmer" is an essential album to be included in your second basement, or maybe even your music collection. Either shall do.
It starts with "The Barbarian", in which Emerson's signature Hammond organ is first introduced. The guitar line later strums a single note and takes the song into a neat piano section. It then goes back into the main theme and ends. "The Barbarian" isn't the most amazing ELP song, but certainly is a spectacular album opening. Following that song is "Take a Pebble", which is Emerson and Lake domination. The beginning ballad is very nice, and the Emerson solo is joyful and fun. Suddenly, the Emerson solo ends, and Lake's guitar starts to play. The guitar starts quiet and nice but then it goes into a rodeo tune that reminds me of "The Clap" by Yes. However, that doesn't last too long until going back to Emerson's solo fest. Lastly, the ballad returns, and the song slowly comes to a end.
Next comes the great "Knife Edge", which, while not exactly original, is awesome. Emerson uses his Hammond organ again, and Lake's singing is clear yet slightly bitter (in a good way). The lyrics are interesting, and after the first two verses, Emerson breaks a sort of solo. After the solo, the next verse comes in, and the song slows down and kind of explodes into fireworks for no reason. The song after that is "The Three Fates". There is, well, three parts, each talking about one of the fates. The first fate, Clotho, features the signature Hammond, and is kind of strange. The second fate, Lachesis, is a two minute piano segment. The third fate, Atropos, is easily the strangest part. Emerson, after sort of repeating part of the first part, plays his piano as Greg and Palmer quickly play their instruments as the song becomes an awesome yet chaotic segment. Then the song, like the last song, it explodes for no reason. I don't understand it, but it sounds pretty cool, so I don't care!
"Tank" comes right after "The Three Fates", and a good Palmer drum line comes in. Greg and Emerson quickly come in for a while until you just hear Emerson and Palmer. Palmer goes into an exciting drum solo featuring my favorite addition to his drum set, the gong. After the three minute drum solo, the song goes into a march-like section in which Emerson uses a Moog synthesizer. After the song fades out, the ballad "Lucky Man" begins. It seems sort of simple, but I enjoy it greatly. After two verses and choruses, some guitar plays over the backing vocals. Then two more sections come in, and Emerson does a Moog solo until the song ends. The solo was recorded in a single take without Emerson even knowing they would include it on the album.
"Emerson, Lake, and Palmer" is an essential album to be included in your second basement, or maybe even your music collection. Either shall do.
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