ELP #2- Tarkus

*Tarkus- 1971*

Rating: 15

Ham or Cheese?

Best Song: Tarkus

Worst Song: None here

     Have you ever had a dream about a armadillo tank? If you have, and you have stared at the cover of this album, is this what you saw? Did you find it unusually fascinating? Wait, why am I talking about armadillo tank dreams? Anyway, this is one of my favorite albums. It is also the best album about a armadillo tank, considering you don't just go into a record shop and see a version of "Tarkus" by The Backstreet Boys (or The Beach Boys). Now, to get back on topic, "Tarkus" by ELP is among the greatest albums I have heard, and should be in your collection.

     The album starts with the amazing title track. It begins with a bunch of voices all strung together until going into the first part, "Eruption". This part is about a volcanic explosion that causes "Tarkus" to be born. This part includes lots of fast keyboards, and Palmer's gong. In addition, Emerson uses his Hammond organ and Moog synthesizer. That part then goes into "Stones of Years". Lake sings a song that appears to be about hearing, speaking, and knowing. This is most likely the best vocal part. Suddenly, that song goes into the third part, "Iconoclast". "Iconoclast" is a warplane/pterodactyl. "Tarkus" easily defeats it. This part seems like a even faster version of "Eruption" with a few added parts to help make it connect with the part that follows.

     The next part is "Mass". "Mass" is a lizard/lobster/rocket launcher. Lake sings in this part about religious things, and Emerson has a solo between one of the verses. Lake also plays an electric guitar in parts of the section. "Mass" then goes into "Manticore", which is "Tarkus's" final enemy. This battle happens between the "Eruption" theme and the new "Manticore" theme. Eventually, "Manticore" wins. This part is another Hammond organ festival with short drum breaks during certain sections. The next part is "Battlefield", where the battle concludes and "Tarkus" begins to head to a river. This is a song completely written by Greg Lake. It actually has a guitar solo, which is unusual in a ELP song. The lyrics are some of the best on the album, and the keyboard is excellent as usual.

     The final part, "Aquatarkus", symbolizes "Tarkus" going to the river and becoming, you guessed it, "Aquatarkus". This part has Palmer doing a march-like rhythm on his snare drum as Keith's keyboards represent "Tarkus". Finally, there is a reprise of "Eruption" that, instead of moving on, creates an epic ending. Normally, you would expect the rest of the album to be not so good. Actually, the rest of the album is awesome! It comes in with "Jeremy Bender", which is ELP's shortest song ever. The lyrics are funny, Keith's honky-tonk piano is nice. The drumming fits the song very well. Following that is "Bitches Crystal", in which Emerson's piano rocks. Greg's voice packs tons of energy, and Palmer's drumming is amazing as usual. After the 1st and 2nd piano solos, Greg's voice sounds so powerful you wonder if Greg almost killed someone in the making of the song.

     The next song is "The Only Way (Hymn)". The organ is cool and slightly haunting, while Greg's voice is very good. The lyrics are deep, and the piano that comes in later is up to Emerson's normal quality. This song goes directly into "Infinite Space (Conclusion)". The melody Keith plays on his piano is pretty cool, and Palmer's drums are sort of simple compared to the other songs. That, however, is not a complaint. The song is completely driven by the piano. After that comes "A Time and a Place", in which Emerson returns to his Hammond organ. Greg's voice sounds awesome, and the drumming is exceptional. The lyrics are cool, and the section where the drumming disappears, Greg sings another verse, and Keith plays his synthesizer is excellent.

    The album seems to be over, but than the hilarious "Are You Ready Eddy?" runs in. Emerson rocks his piano (and almost kills it in the solo), Greg singing is spectacular, and Palmer has a fast drum beat going. Greg adds in a lot of comments during the song when he's not singing, and the lyrics are quite funny. At the very end of the song, Keith says "Ham or Cheese?", causing Palmer to repeat that and laugh. That alone makes this song worth it to listen to. Then, if you bought the Surround Sound Deluxe Edition, it comes with the sad Greg Lake song "Oh My Father", the song Keith sings, "Unknown Ballad (Maybe It's Just a Dream)", and an alternate instrumental take of "Mass". All of these are also pretty amazing. I won't go into the details, since they technically aren't on the album, but these songs would not ruin the rating in any way.

     "Tarkus" is stellar, and should be in you collection. If you don't have it, BUY IT. You won't regret a minute, unless you hate Prog.