Reviews (page 4 of 9)
6/10 Highlights: Tarkus A Time and a Place
This was great, keyboards were phenomenal.
So I'm not an Emerson, Lake & Palmer fan come to find out. No more please.
An hour into the first eleven minutes of the opening track, I’m reminded of how much I love the moody blues’ days of future passed and how much I would rather listen to that. I don’t necessarily hate prog rock, but if I do, this is why. It’s a seemingly distilled version (though, unfortunately, not nearly distilled enough) of everything I don’t like about prog. The musicianship is excellent and there’s at least interest there and some of the more experimental synth/key elements. But it’s excellent and interesting to what end? So that I know they’re talented musicians and well-studied in their classical influences? It’s just an absolute chore to listen to, and it’s not endearingly cheesy in the way it could be. Which brings this to the lyrics. They are not cheesy or campy, though it seems those are the heights they strive towards, but rather just bad. The scale of bad ranges from eye-rolling to genuinely offensive. ‘You must believe in the human race / can you believe God makes you breathe/ why did he lose six million Jews?’ Followed by several minutes of tedious piano masturbation, because that’s appropriate.
This one didn’t hit for me. Listened a couple times through and forgot it was on each time.
This album has some really enjoyable moments, and its highs are quite high. But between those highs, and during moments that would otherwise be highs, is just oh...so...much...wankery.
These guys sure like keyboards.
Incredible concept album. Start on track one and play it through. Bonus for having vinyl and having to get up and flip it for side two. A solid 10, wish I could rate it that.
This album wasn’t my cup of tea. I couldn’t quite understand the mix of rock, jazz, and noises.
don't remember it, so giving two
Fun time actually. Nothing extra, but enjoyable
Everything one could possibly dislike about Early-70's-Prog-Rock wrapped up into a tidy package.
I hated this so much on my first listen. Ended up with it on in the background for a few more listens through, and my one star rating slowly turned into a 2. And then a 3. Who knows, maybe it would be a 5 eventually.
4 estrelas, um pedra fundamental do progressivo
prog é divertido demais, não sei como o pessoal aqui do app não gosta 😭😭
Sounds good. The instrumentals were pleasant. Not really my type of music but I can appreciate it.
..
Good first side. Poor second side.
out there. band band. all over.
Not a bad album, some interesting parts to it and I'm a sucker for prog. Feels a little _too_ noodley at points and uninspired, but that is probably due to my main prog love being Rush. A Time and a Place was probably my person stand out, though I enjoyed the lyrics of The Only Way (Hymn).
AAAAHHHH MY NOTES DISAPPEARED AND I WROTE SO MANY THINGS ABOUT THIS. I think it's brilliant. I loved the entire album, I think the musicians are incredible and smart and creative. I loved the Bach style fugue, the symphony of an opening. I was blown away and I can't believe this is my first time listening to this. Sad that my notes disappeared, I had a lot to say about this album but I was mostly gushing about how incredible I think it is
Is this what you call prog rock? Ew. But also some of it is fucking sick? Def some jazz influences in there that was cool. This kept me in the edge of being fucking irritated for having to listen to it. But then some little like relief or something cool would come in and I’d be like okaaay I guess it’s not that bad. But overall I didn’t care for it. Idk if I even finished the album tbh. 2.7
Fricken radical dude. Fricken synths are radical dude. The Flanger on the vocals is radical dude. Math rock is super radical. Nah, really loved this weird ass album. Normally not down for 20 min song, but I'll let it slide for these guys. Jeremy bender for president. The tape colour on this track is so pleasant, coupled with the childlike sing song keys composition, slightly off with the tape slowdown and warping. Really really enjoyed it. Fun, playful, tongue in cheek type shit. Really wasn't what I was expecting from the first 20 min track. This album is tilted as fuck. If the beatles leaned more into jazz and early math rock- this would be it. Integration of synths is radical (as previously stated). The pitch bending is also fun. Motherfuckers going absolutely nutso on the keys on Bitches Crystal. Riot. Also these synth brass sections and detuned keys- technicolour dreamscape. The warm mids and upper lows in this mix are excellent. '6 million jews' line in 'the only way' tho. Really blindsided me with that one. In the context not controversial, just was really NOT expecting that. Breakdowns pretty cool, nice shift. Genre mix was all over the place, super strange. I dig that. 4.5
It often reveals a benighted aesthetic to call something pretentious - it can even be pretentious to evaluate a work of art that way - but I do not know what else to say about this record or this band: they fit that category too perfectly. Pretentious b/c soullessly self-important - plenty of great artists suffer from self-importance, but if they have soul they have my ears - ELP is what happens when a group of not very intelligent nerds fly the flags of their nerdism via the overabundance of organs and Moogs. It's a truism: if you have nothing to say, blast the organ loudly and annoyingly. It turns out this group has nothing to say: 'Have you walked on the stones of years? / When you speak, is it you that hears?' Altho...an armadillo I like very much.
i liked it was like experimental jazz vibes but too experimental to be 5/5
I love this album and own a copy of it. I've listened to it many times and really enjoy it. The album artwork is top notch as well. The music is kind of funky psychedelic without being annoying. It's well composed and I love listening to the album as a whole. It's pretty chilled out but still has some catchy beats. I'm sure I will listen to this many more times.
Pretentious proggy shite
Very 70s. A but anxiety producing.
no listened to this in a hundred years...still good dl
It's not easy to listen, but but it's worth it if you want to expand the boundaries of your own perception of music.
Not for me
If i had gone in blind to this it would probably been pretty low. but in my highschool time i had 2 20min songs that i listen to: Tarkus and 2112. I really understand people would not like tarkus but i almost remember all sections by heart. so it is a bit nostalgic for me. Best i can describe it is as organised chaos, and you might have to hear it multiple times. I probably had given this low if i hadn't heard it so many times. the rest of the album... i never listened to. But it is good easier to process and showcase Emersons amazing playing. I never heard of a pianist so dedicated that he rather die than dissapoint his audience (might be a exageration made by his wife, we'll never know). It's not a 5 but i bump it up from a 3 beacuse of tarkus.
Tarkus is a stunning showcase of Emerson, Lake & Palmer at the height of their creative power. The piano work throughout the album is nothing short of remarkable—virtuosic, inventive, and full of the fiery energy that defines Keith Emerson’s style. The drumming is equally impressive, with Carl Palmer laying down intricate grooves that propel the music forward while adding layers of rhythmic complexity. Greg Lake’s vocals are outstanding, delivering both warmth and strength, and his performance perfectly complements the band’s adventurous sound. ELP demonstrates an extraordinary level of musical craftsmanship on this album; their command of dynamics, structure, and style feels unmatched. From start to finish, Tarkus is an exhilarating musical journey, and I thoroughly enjoyed every track. It’s a powerful testament to what progressive rock can achieve when performed by musicians of this caliber.
One of the songs on this album caught my ear because it sounded like something I'd heard before (i.e. someone sampled this group) 2
For me, ELP has not aged well. And this was never my fave ELP album.
Very very good. Prog rock greatness.
A lesson in excess. Opener and Title track Tarkus is only played in planetarium’s for people who are stoned out of their minds. Or at least I was the first time I heard this record. I honestly didn’t get the prog movement. Endless noodling and more noodling melding classical music to sad rock is never a good mix. I guess there are movements. Has the dawn ever seen your eyes? Of course it fucking has and those are the first lyrics of dumb shit. This is another album where bloviating pompous asshats doubling as music critics try to pass this stuff as interesting. I’ve opined on the ability of influencers to sell snake oil to the American public but this is a world wide phenomenon. It is dull and meandering and just meaningless and I’m just at the last minute of Tarkus. There is still a second side to this drek. I never thought this list experiment would turn into punishment. Maybe it’s the keyboard noodles. Someone told me they like it. You can like Rush. They are Canadian, eh? You hoser. ELP is just boring shit for people who still wear polo shirts with a sports coat. Fucking losers.
Just as the jazz genre can take it too far, so can rock.
First time knowingly hearing EL&P and was looking forward to it under the impression they were progressive rock icons. While portions of the album were interesting I tired quickly of the organ. I was out in the car with Lisa this day - maybe another day, in a better mood, with focused listening I would have enjoyed it more. But not today. 2/5
Mostly skipped. I think the Hymn was all I was interested in.
liked it, but HATE when a track is 20 Minutes. BREAK IT DOWN
Very random.
Many cool sounds and experimental pieces in the mix of this album. Not really my taste but had a good listen.
I didn't know this band. Not a bad sound. Overall a fair album.
Camel
Mér finnst síðasta lagið leiðinlegt. Restin er ekki beinlínis skemmtileg, en hún er ansi mögnuð á köflum og hún vex með hverri hlustun. Hætti eftir þrjár.
It's like Pink Floyd, but way less interesting.
5 i like long songs
What load of overblown guff. It reminds me of a stomach ache I once had that ended very badly.
Did I listen to the whole album? No I couldn't bear it. It sounds like someone rolled up an ancient hippys sandal smoked it, learned to play the keyboard and thought that was a good idea. Horrific. One star is way too much.
Being full on prog rock, it kind of is what it is, and I accept that. What it lacks in accessibility for the casual listener it makes up for in virtuosity for the discerning listener. I'm kind of on the fence about how "good" it actually is (the lyrics are a bit jarring to say the least) but it is good to hear different music. But in summary, I wouldn't choose to play this again.
Made as much sense as an Armidillo tank. Wank
No matter how highly polished a prog rock turd is, it's still a prog rock turd. Little wonder that punk happened
Probably a seminal prog rock album or something. It sounds like professional musicians up to their eyeballs in cocaine, but that's just speculation.
Tarkus! Tarkus! Tarkus! Dude, I mean, just look at this artwork, says it all really! As for the album... could this batshit rock get any more progressive??
This is dumb
This is as good a time as any to tell you about my idea for a 1970s supergroup that never was and never will be: W.E.B. However, perhaps with some AI trickery, W.E.B. could be conjured into existence and the world could be gaslit into believing that it was a real thing. W.E.B. is the ultimate in 1970s excess: a keyboard supergroup composed of Rick Wakeman of Yes, Keith Emerson of Emerson, Lake & Palmer, and Tony Banks of Genesis. Although, I assume Wakeman would leave immediately and need to be replaced by Rick Wright of Pink Floyd. Someone just needs to make a short video that includes a spoofed W.E.B. article in Creem (which would be harder to fact check than Rolling Stone.) Throw on an English narrator and out-of-context interview clips from Wakeman, Wright, Emerson and Banks and, shazam, W.E.B. now exists. Oh yeah, Tarkus is fine, I guess. I wish it had "Lucky Man."
have to admit this kind of music is up my alley, but this is the first time i'm hearing of mr emerson, mr lake, & mr palmer, and i have to wonder if there's a reason for that because this album was kinda... meh. started really strong with a frenetic, balls-to-the wall 20 minute opener that devolved into a track list that ranged from alright to very questionable. my double take for "how did he lose / six million jews" gave me whiplash. three stars. highlights - that first track that's 20 minutes you know the one i'm not typing that all out lol, bitches crystal, a time and place, are you ready eddy?
A bit of a weird prog rock album occupying a very specific Time and a Place in music history. The individual performances are fantastic and showcase some true virtuoso-level musicianship (Carl Palmer might be the most criminally underrated drummer of all time), but the sound itself feels so dated that it's harder to appreciate 50 years after it's release. ELP is the one prog band that has aged the least-gracefully with their overall sound. Still an excellent listen (especially the title track), but there's a lot that feels stuck in a very specific era of music that has been entirely left behind. The B side also suffers from some afterthought tracks that pale especially in comparison to the A side. Top tracks: Tarkus, Bitches Crystal, A Time and a Place
Album cover: A+ Music: C? Not sure where I come down on this. I didn’t especially like it, but I didn’t hate it, either. It at least gets points for feeling somewhat original and creative, like the unexpected “The Only Way (Hymn)”. 3?
Some of the production choices weren't my favorite, especially on the vocals.
saw album is 36 mins and was surprised. 15 mins into the album i realized the first song is 20 minutes long. love me some prog like this and def will save. great production. one of the forefathers of prog as a whole and a really solid album
Though I liked a few songs on Brain Salad Surgery, this album is more like Yes, and less like ELP (though BSS may have Palmer). This grew tiresome.
Not sure how to describe this one. Weird but oddly staisfying
Could only be 70s
Cool and experimental, but I was not feeling it - a little too weird maybe
Dreadful tosh
I am very partial to 20 minute prog rock songs
Another 20 minuter! Enjoyed it more than the rest of the album
The singing is so horrible but at least it gave name to my favorite sim ever
Awesome groovy progressive rock! 🤘
Very good prog rock album, the first track is great but the rest isn’t very memorable
Was kind of a jumble. Need to re-listen when my wife isn’t around. By the way she hated it.
No me disgustó del todo.
I hate prog rock. I honestly don't know if I have the patience for this review. One minute in and I'm wishing there was more Britpop on the list. A twenty minute opening song is not a good way to kick off an album. It's half the run length. All I can think about it when it will be over. I bet these guys get along famously with Jethro Tull. This album is terrible. I think it's better than Pictures at an Exhibition, but just barely. At least it's relatively short.
This sounds so timeless
This was epic I fear
wow this kicked mega ass lmao
Prog rock epitomized here. Hang in there and you will hear some good moments. That first track, tho. Wow
Well. I will say this - it's slightly better than the previous ELP horror show I was subjected to. But that really isn't saying a lot. This album starts with a 20 minute long track, which they break into six parts and call a suite, because they're pretentious wallies who think their endless, meaningless, pointless noodling is some sort of opus on a par with Mozart. After that, if you can make it through that torture, it does improve a fair bit, to the point where it's 'terrible' as opposed to 'actively wishing for everyone involved to die'.
Prog, etwas anstrengend
Oh no
That was truly awful.
Mucho experimento para las 7am
Yikes.
I mean, I can't say I hated it. Although if this isn't your wheelhouse, a 20-minute never-ending electronic saga of sound to start the album could feel a bit overbearing. The start of Side B with Jeremy Bender was slightly refreshing. A fun little number about a man finally deciding to become a nun (?). Bitches Crystal was also a cool song with an awesome title. I know ELP has some legendary songs and albums but not sure if this is one of those for me. But overall, it was a fun one-time listen (with Jeremy Bender earning its way into my personal music library).
My hair grew 5 inches longer after listening to Tarkus melt my face
The musicianship is a 5/5. But as someone who doesn’t play a single instrument, I have a hard time truly appreciating each member’s proficiency and skill. In most cases, if you ask me, what makes prog rock appealing is how incredibly talented the bands usually are and how they like show it off; it’s music for musicians. Tarkus from ELP is prog rock at its finest, I can acknowledge that. But I guess most of it is just one of those finer things in life that I can’t seem to get in rhythm with. For the record, I still enjoy lots of prog rock (The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway better be on this list), but I often feel a lot of this scene was too full of itself and too difficult to digest for the average dumb guy like me.
Best Tracks: Tarkus (ii. Stones of Years, vii. Aquatarkus), Jeremy Bender insanely funny to emphatically rhyme "lose" with "six million Jews" in a line about God allowing the Holocaust and then roll into a fucking insane keyboard solo. that one's off a b-side track (the only way - a hymn) but that and the armourdillo are what I'm walking away from remembering. Title track is an occasionally interesting seven-part song but the verb "plunking" came up too many times while I was thinking about it - i.e. "he's really plunking on the keys here." Not a good sign. Jeremy Bender is a really good after-dinner mint though.
I’ve seen a lot of people say Tarkus (the song) is one of the greatest prog songs ever but I honestly did not feel anything while listening to it. I’m not saying it’s bad at all but it just doesn’t make me feel anything really. The rest of the songs are fine. Nothing much to say about them though. Favourite song: Bitches Crystal
3.5
A lot of times this just felt like noise. Maybe too progressive and not enough rock for my taste.
why is the first song 20 minutes long. 4/10
okayish.
weird
Prog Rock - if you like this genre, I’m sure you love this album.
It’s never a good sign when the first track is 20mins long! The trouble with progressive rock is that it purs too much emphasis on novelty rather than listenability, so PR albums inevitably become like this one; small islands of good music interspersed amongst a sea of bad music that used to be at least interestingly bad before the novelty wore off.
38 minute album and the first track is 20 mins longs. These guys don’t play by the rules. Simpsons: Yes
I don't really think this is for me. I didn't hate it, but I wasn't overly thrilled by it. Better than their other efforts The cover art for the album is probably the best part .
It was fine I guess
Just not my vibe.
This one was hard to describe. Maybe if Jethro Tull did a somewhat synth Prog rock album. Regardless, avoid this one if you can.
Thought the first mega track had some really good interesting parts, but some other parts, and the rest of the album for that matter didn't resonate with me
The first self-indulgent half? "No sir, I don't like it." The second half? Meh, it's fine. The last track sounds like a Beatles knockoff.
2.8 I can't quite put my finger on why, but this really isn't doing much for me. Not a big fan of organ in work, which this has a fair bit of. The long opener doesn't really impress as a center piece, and the rest are pretty forgettable. Pretty bland prog rock over all.
Semmosta....
On taas hyvin erikoista ⭐️⭐️
Proge on kiva juttu mut piipittelyproge ei oikeen uppoa.
Oh come on this is just totally awesome. Even before pressing play that cover tells it all. Awesome. We're all here for Tarkus and ELP seem to know that as they do whatever they want on side 2 and have some fun. And these guys are insanely talented, especially the drummer, dude is just nuts
A bizarre, bombastic, nerdy rock symphony. Some weird moments and sus lines but I was pretty into it.
I think I fought Tarkus in Donkey Kong 64
Better then the last one we had...but now I wish I had given the other a 1.
Of its time. Not great enough.
Very fun. Much of the title track resembled video game music which is neat
Love the cover. I'm not a ELP or Prog fan but I see the listener counts and have to give it respect. It's really just rock jazz with solo's, rambling, meet in the middle, piano noodling, everyone goes separate ways, then rock hard, then go downtempo, then crash together at the end. The vocals seem forced across every track. This may be one of the great Prog albums of all time, I have no idea, but it doesn't float my boat. I know a few ELP songs from the radio, none of which are on this album. I found this utterly boring and bordering on annoying. 2 stars as I'm sure they're badass musicians and I can see people appreciate this album. Just not my jam, on any level.
Didn't mind this one bit. The 20 minute opener intrigued me and kept my attention and the rest of the songs didn't do any harm.
The first song being 20 minutes long kind of threw me a bit but I enjoyed. Very different
Truly awful
One of the great realizations I have come to over the last couple months is that the experimental prog stuff is just not my cup of tea. Some alright bits in here though, and I do love the album cover. Just too much nonsense. Best Track: A Time and a Place
Dette var ikke noe for meg.
Not for me.
I just don't like them.
Not into 20-minute prog medleys as a rule, but hey, this was alright. The jazzy / mathy bits would actually be quite en vogue these days, and I appreciated them mixing things up and keeping it short and fun on side two. Mainly though I like the drawing of that badass armadillo tank.
Definitely prog, skeptical that it rocks though
This album is a great example of when exaggeration is seen in a positive light. The organ solos are incredible. Emerson Lake and Palmer was one of the bands that introduced me to this crazy musical universe that is progressive rock.
Just like the other Emmerson, Lake And Palmer album in this list, this comes across to me as a soulless project that only shows how fast and great they can play and feels devoid of any interesting ideas. Having said that, I don't think it is despicable and there are even very few interesting moments. Still very boring though.
Yes
Interesting, but not great.
Nja, musiker-musik, kanske. Lite för svårt för mig.
An uneven, mostly interesting effort.
Cool but a lot.
Too conceptual for me, bet they had fun making it tho
3/5 decent
There’s no denying the sheer musicianship on Tarkus — the playing is phenomenal, the organ tones are wild, and the opening suite is ambitious in every sense. But somewhere between the dazzling runs and conceptual excess, the soul gets lost. It often feels more like “because we can” than “because we must.” I respect the scale and execution, but it’s not something I’ll reach for often.
Not my thing
Heel funky
Too many notes, not enough ideas.
What a load of old bollocks.
This is not the prog I like. So bizarre. And what’s with that album cover.
This sucks.
I really enjoy this era of Emerson, Lake & Palmer. When it comes to the early stages of electronic music and synthesizers, these guys deserve far more credit than they often get. They were truly ahead of their time, and their musicianship was remarkable, especially given their ages. I also admire how they used the progressive rock platform to embrace cutting edge technology for their era. This album balances their long, improvisational tracks with shorter, more accessible pieces. Even when their songs stretch on with no lyrics, their music and instrumentation deliver a storyline just as effectively. Theatrical and grandiose buildups are easily my favorite aspect of their work, and this album showcases definitely delivers.
Standard prog stuff, too much noodling, goes on too long. Would have got 2 stars but for the unnecessary and jarring rock & roll song at the end.
So from my very limited knowledge of these guys, this is not what I was expecting. I thought there were an acoustic trio and I’m getting some funky jazz electronic prog rock. Very pleasantly surprised! Oh yes. This is good. What an opener! 20 mins 😂 and I’m all for the right of self-indulgence (as long as I like it, of course) and just when you think it’s finished it’s comes back from the dead! Not too sure about ‘The Only Way’ but otherwise pretty consistently bonkers and I’m all for it. Also enjoy the norm core ending too. Just to fuck with ya! Good album
really drops off after that first track
I generally like ELP, this was just OK in my opinion
I reviewed this in Feb, nothing really changed I'm afraid: "Certainly an experience, not great prog rock IMO (are some songs even considered prog rock?). Couldn’t really get into it. Maybe with the right mood, maybe when I’m older? I don’t know. Just not for me, sorry."
Proggy prog prog :)
my hatred for these guys grows everyday
bad
One of the top reviews is “I’m surprised this is on the list! Critics hate prog!” Dude was this the first album on your list? If anything, I expect to see all the top 20 from Yes, King Crimson, Genesis, etc., NOT because I want that, but because these writers have their heads so far up Anglo-rock’s rectum and they seem to love long, trite, instrumental noodling. That being said, I do enjoy some pretentious progslop noodling here and there. I love long songs too, I love having my attention demanded and earned. The fantastic first track to this album did just that. The B side dragged out and showed off in ways I didn’t really enjoy, but it wasn’t awful.
This is a difficult one to rate. I’m not anti-prog by any means, and the music here is quite interesting and in some places transcendent. Unfortunately, the music is coupled with some of the worst lyrics I’ve ever heard. It’s rather bizarre to listen to in places. In the end, I was digging it overall, but then the final song was such a turd that it took me out of it.
I see a review that says "There is a thoroughgoing prejudice against prog in the critical community, probably because it forces critics to engage with the music". I'm not sure that "People don't like this music when they have to listen to it" is really the argument you want to make. I am indeed critical of prog whenever I have to engage with it, but it's not me, prog, it's you, you suck. I appreciate your role in the evolution of popular music but please don't overstay your welcome. Prog rock, I hate it, especially the organ parping and twiddling away with the drums noodle-doodling. It might be hard to play, but my God it's harder to listen to. And the less said about the pseudo-deep nonsense lyrics the better. They do show some family resemblance when compared to The Wall, though. Some bizarre choices on this album, like Are You Ready, Eddy, completely out of place on this album, although it was undoubtedly the track I liked most. I also get these guys confused with Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, so I had to mentally readjust my expectations quite a long way.
Day630 - after taking a couple tylenols and topping off my autism i was ready to tackle this album and let me tell you i needed it
Very experimental and psychedelic, not for me.
Klassischer Progressive Rock. Interessant zu hören. 5/5
Some pretty meh prog rock. Not as good as their contemporaries, but not awful. Some pretty skipable stuff, but some ok background music if you're feeling a little jammy.
Unbelievable how this could be boring zzzzzz 1,5 maximum
Self indulgent, instrument wankery, Keith Emerson bad, too complex to be real music, Tarkus long song, blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah Now, fuck off
This was awful. The first song was 20 minutes long. I couldn't even get through that
God damn that's a great album cover. I almost don't have to listen to the record at all. Early prog was so great. Just a bunch of nerds (as a nerd, I use that term endearingly) writing batshit crazy songs that are actually about serious subjects such as the futility of war and hypocrisy of politics, in this case told as a story of...(checks notes)...an armadillo/tank hybrid fighting a battle with a mythological lion/scorpion/human/porcupine hybrid. I mean that just writes itself really. I would love to see an album like this released today. There are certainly bands doing things similar but they aren't exactly selling out stadiums. The thing I don't like about Emerson, Lake & Palmer is the organ. I don't mind some synths here and there but the choice to have an electric organ sound in rock music is just so strange to me. It doesn't fit at all, it makes it sound like church. I know the organ was kind of a fad during this period of music but still. I mean it's played well and had it been another instrument it would have been epic but the organ just takes me out of it. However, this is a fucking banger. I think this is basically like the ELP version of 2112, although 2112 is a far superior album. It falls off a little for me on the second side but not enough to dock too many points. I love this and will definitely be on the lookout for it at the record shop. 4.5/5
Borderline unlistenable
As a casual prog fan, this album sounds to me like what prog must sound like to non-prog fans.
Interesting album - opening track 20 mins on a 40 min album.
Interesting art rock album. This is the second Emerson, Lake, and Palmer record that I've heard on this list. Prog rock really does something for me. I appreciate the constant introduction of new sounds and textures. But this album doesn't hit for me like their previous entry on this list. Most of the songs on the back half were weak, and left me feeling pretty unsatisfied. The production felt a thin, and some of the sounds were grating. Also, their characteristic timbre wasn't as charming as the first time I heard it. Consequently, it got a little old this time around. Probably won't revisit, and this didn't do anything for me that I couldn't get from their "Pictures at an Exhibition" album 5-5.5/10 Standouts: The Only Way (Hymn)
Great stuff.
Prog is just not my thing.
Just trying to be psychedelic for the sake of it. Not really good or enjoyable. 2/5
Favorite Track: Jeremy Bender
Surprised that I enjoyed it. It's reputation proceeded it. Yes, it is a little silly in parts. But it's beautifully played throughout and has a pleasantly wistful feel. I would happily drink tea, while it rains outside, and listen to Tarkus. Great cover art.
3.5 pretty good Progressive powerhouse
Pretty cool.
This was never going to be an album for me - an English prog rock supergroup magnum opus, featuring a 21-minute suite called: "Tarkus (i. Eruption/ii. Stones of Years/iii. Iconoclast/iv. Mass/v. Manticore/vi. Battlefield/vii. Aquatarkus). Aquatarkus!? Am I to understand that Tarkus is Armadillo Tank? I do kinda like Armadillo Tank. The song itself is nonsense, though. But even worse is the B-side, a mish-mash of insane/inane throwaway tracks. I guess going straight from the epic prog rock suite into 'Turkey in the Straw' is funny, at least.
Technically very impressive but prog rock just really isn’t my thing. I also truly believe no artist is talented enough to warrant a 20 minute song sorry.
It was good but a 20 minute song is ode
Musical masturbation. Couldn’t finish the album, let alone the first track which was 20 minutes of a 38 minute album. Like medieval jazz symphonies, I question why it’s on this list. 1 star for musicianship
Às vezes gosto de chamar Rock Progressivo de Rock Nerd, e este disco veste muito bem esse título. Um álbum Prog onde o foco não está nas guitarras, mas sim nas teclas, é fantástico e uma ótima maneira de quebrar os costumes gerais. É o tipo de álbum que me faz lembrar porque gosto tanto de música. Tudo aqui é encaixado perfeitamente bem. Vejo algumas pessoas reclamando das letras, e elas realmente são bem tontas, mas fica mais do que óbvio que conteúdo lírico não chega nem perto de ser o foco dos músicos aqui. O foco deles é criar essas obras fluidas, com seus movimentos brilhantes e inesperados. Um ótimo disco para nós Nerds, de fato. 5/5
Good prog rock people like to hate.
some songs are nice, some are annoying, 2
Just felt weird.
A little too prog for me.
This was okay. Some of the guitar work and instrumentals were cool.
Too much wankery. Liked the proto Showaddywaddy bit at the end
Oh my. This record is really hard to listen to, or at least the bit I got through was really tough to listen to. Normally, when I come across a record that I’m just not enjoying, I give it a solid 3 tracks before I turn it off. My reasoning is that life’s really too short to try to endure painful listening experiences, and maybe, for whatever reason, the band frontloaded the record with their weaker material. But the first track on this record is 20 minutes long. I just can’t do it. Maybe it gets better, but I’ll never know. 2/5
Dope ass prog rock. Sounds way ahead of its time for 1971. Incredibly talented musicians with cool concept and some interesting synth sounds.
Definitely need to take some drugs before listening to this next time
Meh
Not for me
Nie byłam i nie jestem i nie będę fanką progrocka, ale nawet ja wiem, że ten gatunek doczekał się lepszych zespołów. Stoję po stronie, że żaden utwór świata nie powinien trwać 20 minut, ale jeśli już trwa to niech chociaż jest bardziej ambitny i epicki niż to czego mi przyszło słuchać. 5/10
This one surprised me. Unfortunately, it surprised me by how much I didn't care for it. I've heard so many people rave about it, but I found it rather annoying. There were some sections of the title track that I kind of liked, and I really enjoyed "A Time and A Place", but other than that it just wasn't for me. And on a completely different note - wtf is up with that cover art?
Keith Emerson, Greg Lake, and Carl Palmer ... need I really say more ... Tarkus is my favorite ELP album ... Legends!
I think I'm going to give this one a 3. Not a bad one. Just liked it.
Although not everything works for me in the 20 minutes long title track, it is a great listening experience overall
7/10
Interesting, more jam band, jazzy than I like but the songs are pretty short and don't overstay there welcome.
A good looking, bad sounding album.
much like an armadillo turning into a tank, this is a terrible idea, but I'm here for it
Prog-Jazz, from 3 immensely talented performers. This was more fun than I thought it would be. But it won’t make it into the rotation because: (1) the repeated incorporation of classical themes treated as nursery rhymes got old, and (2) i noted several places where Emerson couldn’t execute his ambitions, and he wound up muddying the rhythms. Palmer is the star of the show, his rhythms, counter-rhythms, polyrhythms, and arrhythmia seem flawless and keep the mix interesting. A three.
sjúklega skrýtið experimental breskt prog rokk...aðeins of mikið af því góða imo, fyrsta lagið 20min og eins og öll hin séu B side fillers... finnst eðlilegasta lagið mest catchy (are you ready eddy?)
Can't say this did much for me. It was kinda like that Rush album where I can respect their musical prowess without really enjoying it very much. I liked this album less than that one, though. There were parts that had a more rock sound that I would've preferred the whole way through (subjective, I know). It was almost like Cream decided to make a keyboard-focused prog album, and it didn't go very well. Even if none were awful, there really just weren't any songs I liked here. Some were OK, but didn't really do anything for me to say I thought they more than that. Overall: 2.3/5
Not the ideal album to come back to after a holiday. Pretty dated, the 20min intro song just comes across as pretentious but prog rock is in general. 2/5.
Hated this on the first listen. Liked it on the second. Not sure what I expected from ELP but this reminded me more of King Crimson than anything else.
Not my jam, that's for sure
It’s about as good as the album artwork
Heck yeah. Fuck a 3 minute pop song, ELP are holding a masterclass on self indulgent prog rock. I've always enjoyed this style of music, Rush, Yes, Tull, give me artists who would be the best musician in any band they were in. I wonder how far ELP would've pushed it if they were in the digital era where you could theoretically have a continuous 80 minute piece of music instead of being confined to an album side. But anyway, Tarkus is an outstanding album. 5 stars all day.
At least it's short. I like the Bach part.
I am sure their mothers think they did a good job.
Put this on, and pretty much anybody you know will hate it. I like my fair share of prog rock but this…this…is tough stuff to chew. That said, I may name my next dog Tarkus just because.
This was most certainly a journey. Awesome prog rock record especially it being from ‘71
tiring
meh kinda boring
Didn’t like this.
Not my favourite prog rock band, but it was ok.
Who doesn't love and armed-a-dilllo? On Spotify the turret turrets and the red eye blinks. Brilliant
cool if u enjoy feeling insanely overstimulated felt like I was jerry and tom was chasing me
Prog rock can be ether really good or annoying. This was annoying
I've enjoyed a lot of progressive rock on this list like Rush, King Crimson, and Yes but this album just fell flat for me. Part of the blurb on this album mention this Album almost breaking up the band and I can see where everyone wouldn't have been on board for this.
I just can't get into this prog rock stuff. *shrug* Sorry. 1/5
Qué viaje. Para alguien que guste de disfrutar el arte under the influence, esto debe ser oro puro. De hecho, mientras lo escuchaba, estuve convencido de que este disco tiene que oirse en estado "alegre", vamos a decirle. Buena música, tremendamente psicotrónica, pero sí me dejó con ganas de escuchar más de Emerson, Lake & Palmer. De hecho creo que ya me había salido uno de sus discos en esta lista, pero seguro estuvo menos viajado.
Boring
Don't care for prog-rock all that much
Cacophonous
Interesting. It’s all over the place after the first song. Not necessarily in a bad way, seems like they were trying some things out. Overall I didn’t mind it but I doubt I’ll ever listen to it again. Also, that is some terrible album art.
Emerson, Lake & Palmer representan todos los excesos del rock progresivo, todo lo que mató al género a fines de los 70. Debe ser por eso por lo que nunca he conectado del todo con su música, incluso en la época en la que solo escuchaba prog. Este es el disco más excesivo de todos y no me ha disgustado. De hecho, me sorprende que me haya gustado al menos un poco. 3/5
Highlight Song/s: Tarkus, The Only Way (Hymn) and Are You Ready Eddy Side 1: What an experience the title track is; but I reckon that's the case with most 20 minute songs. I don't know where to begin how they would play this live, especially for a power trio. With them being a progressive rock band they probably found a way. Side 2: "Jeremy Bender" lyrically reminds me of Lola (Kinks,) not sure if that's an correct assumption. But that's the impression that I get with all its confusing lyrics. "Bitches Crystal" I swear I've heard this tune before or something really similar, perhaps a soul song that I can't put my finger on. "The Only Way (Hymn)" sounds like a musical from some movie. "Infinite Space (Conclusion)" that piano was keeping me on my toes on what will happen next with the song. "A Time and a Place" is quite aggressive, shocked me a little bit. "Are You Ready Eddy" seems quite stereotypical, I'm unsure if it's supposed to be a parody of rock 'n' roll or not. Whether it is or if is not, it rocks pretty hard.
It very much feels like low-level prog. It's not grabbing me. It's just a bit mediocre.
Vibe parecida com albuns de srgt. Pepper dos Beatles. Bom album e leve de escutar, mas não peguei muito gosto.
This would.be a 4 or even a 5 for me if the second half of the album were as good as the first song/half / title track. Sadly the remaining songs are more or less piano blues and not that interesting.
I really enjoy this era of Emerson, Lake & Palmer. When it comes to the early stages of electronic music and synthesizers, these guys deserve far more credit than they often get. They were truly ahead of their time, and their musicianship was remarkable, especially given their ages. I also admire how they used the progressive rock platform to embrace cutting edge technology for their era. This album balances their long, improvisational tracks with shorter, more accessible pieces. Even when their songs stretch on with no lyrics, their music and instrumentation deliver a storyline just as effectively. Theatrical and grandiose buildups are easily my favorite aspect of their work, and this album showcases definitely delivers.
No había escuchado nunca este álbum y bueno, no me encanta. Sin embargo, los instrumentos son>>> me encanta la mezcla y los cambios. La letra mejorable. Algunas canciones me gustan más que otras.
The opening track is like the final boss music to a Final Fantasy game. Whether this is a good thing or a bad thing would be to personal taste. It’s then followed up with some standard, not particularly profit rock tracks, then gets back into the prog for the closing quarter. A worthy entry.
Fun and engaging listen. Over the top and cheesy at times but packed full of wild organ riffs. Nice that after the 20 min title track, the rest are pretty short, so it doesn't really over stay its welcome. Not going to be in my rotation but I'm sure I'll revisit it at some point
5 star album art
Some good bits in there but again surrounded by a sea of 'fine I suppose'
Im genuinely starting to become concerned for the people who compiled this list.
Read a review saying that this is trash and they know why punk happened, which I definitely understand as parts of this like the keyboard playing are very excessive, which gets old quite fast. But parts are quite good, synth bits are fine, I can’t really say this is that influential, as I guess this genre kind of went extinct. I do think the longer form song works so much better for this style than the shorter ones, as the shorter ones just feel like spamming notes non stop, while the long one had some slower and quieter parts. It just gets worse the further you go in. Favourite songs: the long one Overall around 5/10
Keyboard was really good
The title track of this album is a 21 minute organ heavy prog rock suite depicting the birth and battles of a mythical armadillo-tank hybrid. If an idea that ridiculous doesn't pull you in and make you curious, I'm not sure what else will. Unfortunately, the execution does not completely live up to the imaginativeness of this idea. While the title track undeniably showcases the band's musicianship, especially Keith Emerson's virtuosic command of keyboards, and there are some really interesting ideas to be found here, the epic occasionally feels like an exercise in music, where complexity exists for its own sake. However, I still really enjoyed some sections. Side B is a collection of shorter, unrelated songs, where a few were downright annoying. A prime example is "Are Your Ready Eddy?" which sounds like a parody of Rock & Roll and really has no place on this album. On the other hand, "Bitches Crystal" is a fun, ragtime inspired track and "A Time and a Place" once again shows the band's chops. On this track, the whole band truly shines - Carl Palmer's drumming is as tight as ever, Greg Lake is singing his heart out, while all that is accompanied with hard hitting organs. All in all, while technically impressive, this album did not resonate with me. Except for a few sections of the title track, and the aforementioned two songs on Side B, the rest ranged from average to bad, so I doubt I'll be coming back to this one that much. 2.5/5
2.6
Please, make it stop Best Song: n/a Rating: 1.5/10 Stars: 1/5
Favorite: Tarkus Really interesting prog electronic album. It kinda went all over the place, one minute being full electronic, next full rock. Overall, really cool and interesting though! [3 Stars]
I love prog, and this is a good example of the genre... though I prefer Pictures, Brain Salad, and their live album to this.
Would listen again
The instrumentation is technically proficient but while some moments rock, others sound like Mario music.
Honestly, leading with a 20!!! minute song followed by 6 shorter songs is hilarious to me. I didnt like it.
kinda cool
fun album. obviously, the highlight is the epic title track, but there's some other great stuff on here to. now i have come to expect that every emerson, lake and palmer album is going to have some weird kitschy song on it that sounds like a ragtime. but i mean talk about three dudes firing on all cylinders. the musicianship is insane.
Some of this was very cool, some of it was quite tedious
Tarkus
1.5 star I never listened to ELP, but it sounded just like I imagined. It’s not interesting to me and my attention wanders. I can’t tell the difference between good and bad prog, and I feel like the stuff I do enjoy is the more “poppy” stuff that elitist prog fans wouldn’t consider true prog. But I couldn’t get into this.
I failed to see the significance - I mean I get it but I guess I don't agree..
This isn’t for me. It creates anxiety.
Are there any words more unsettling and anxiety inducing than "Prog rock masterpiece"? All those notes. To what end o ask? Both overly intricate and insipid. The title track is like a bad dream that won't end. It just keeps coming and coming and coming...and coming - assuming different forms but not ever really changing. I guess maybe this album - especially the title track - says something about war but it seems you could accomplish the same thing in a more streamlined manner. Just say no. Or in prog rock terms - nnNnnNnnnNnNNNNnnnnNnNnnnNnNoooOoOoOooooOooOoooo.oOooooOooo.
I'm not super into prog, but I'd be lying if I said I didn't enjoy this. There's a lot happening!
I took Tarkus on a bike ride by the Bay and had a good time with it. The 20 minute prog rock title track was my favorite, but the quality dipped for me on the Side 2 songs. One little tangent: I enjoyed picking out the influence on this album (The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, even Little Richard!) as well as the music it influenced in turn (Rush and Genesis).
This one took some getting into. I can see why the intro track almost broke up the band. It's an interesting story, but quite a left turn. Good progressive rock though and I was a little surprised by the year it came out, sounds like something more modern which I guess is why it's on this list
Like a random record in the sale bin, a wild ride that you didn’t really choose. Frenetic and could’ve done without the all the organ. Album was all over the place, only liked the last song really.
It was hard to listen to the first time and there won’t be a second time. The first song being 20 minutes long was like a roller coaster that I couldn’t get off of. Maybe if I were super high it would have been more enjoyable?
I was originally 2 stars but giving it an extra star for the album cover. I enjoyed Tarkus but that's all this album really had to offer. Very uneven.
"Of it's time"....!!! Been a long while since I heard this, & hopefully it'll be a long while before I hear it again.
Never cared for them much
Are You Ready Eddy is cool. No thanks on the rest!
Alright but there is so much better prog
+super fun +unique sounds +truly an experience
Первый трек длиною в 20 минут это конечно мощно. Странно, психоделически, не могу сказать, что мне очень зашло, но что-то определенно тут есть. Тексты неплохие.
Good memories of late nights after work
Not for me. The 20 minute, organ-led title track is absolutely tedious, while the 2nd half is a little better but still bounces around between prog rock and honky tonk.
Disjointed, awkward keys. This one did not resonate with me at all.
Maybe if I listen a couple more times I might enjoy it more? Maybe but doubtful
Great Prog album but probably not best choice for a “one off” challenge. Needs a handful of listens to fully digest
Such a cool album!
Is this pompous and overblown? Absolutely. Is this self-indulgent and the antithesis of rock 'n roll? Totally. Did I hate it? Also yes.
4.5/10
Cool prog rock. A bit overproduced at times, but I see the influence and value of a 20 minute opening track. An artist I'll probably give another listen to eventually.
Voisi olla ihan kauheeta, mutta kai mulla on samaa huumorintajua kuin tällä jengillä, koska viihdyn. Järkyttävää pimpelipompelia välillä, puhumattakaan ekan biisin progejumista (vaikka kumpaakaan lajia en vastusta!!), mut sit tuleekin ihan toinen genre. Voinko antaa kolmosen…
Hekin kasvoivat Elviksen parissa, kuten he kokevat tarpeelliseksi muistuttaa soitettuaan ihan ihme höpöhöpöä reilut puoli tuntia. Mutta levyn alku nauratti, loppu ei.
dident like it
Random and overstimulating. A lot of conflicting sounds. This was a unique experience but I didn’t really enjoy it much.
Barf_us!!! Wankers.
I don't really like prog rock, and this is the prog-rockiest of them all. Some good runs in here, particularly the title track, but it doesn't do it for me.
Not for me. 2/10 - SC Interesting prog rock album that is very keyboard focused. First song could have been split up into multiple songs as it has distinct sections that don't really tie in well with each other. The rest of the songs aren't very remarkable, but overall has some fun arrangements. -mitona This is the first album I just had to hard pass on. After the first minute of the first song I just know it's not something for me. -germ
Good stuff. Will probably add ELP to my lists in the future. It is a bit high brow and somewhat condescending.
It's kind of a relief when the Title track ends. So long, so repetitive. For Why. I got so tired of the album so fast.
Great example of early prog rock, but Brain Salad Surgery is a better complete album
Definitely music, but very “busy” and so many notes don’t a great song make. Melodies are really a strong suit here either, likewise too much dissonance at times for my taste.
It was a solid album for sure but it wasn’t memorable. Nothing really jumped out at me
Felt like I heard this before, but I feel that often when I listen to prog rock.
Хуета ебаная понос
Mira, no está mal, pero al final los progresivos no me emocionan. Salvo el math rock, y eso namás pa un rato. O sea, bien, pero p’al que le guste.
They really didn’t need to be doing all that
Deeply uncool, but I am very open to some prog noodling nowadays,
Holy prog rock, Batman
Some of this prog music from the 70s is a little over my head
Prog rock albums always seem a bit strange to me, some stuff is interesting, some stuff is cringe. Happy to listen, see what EL&P were about, but won't be revisiting.
Acid trip
Can’t say that I totally get it but these cuts are obviously super talented musicians. Prog can sometimes feel impenetrable.
Not what I gravitate towards- but clearly talented.
This is some prog rock shit for real. Tarkus (the song) is pretty good, but it ends kind of poorly. The last part is generally odd, but it slowly devolves, and a 20-minute song that leaves a poor taste in your mouth kind of just sucks. It doesn't ruin the whole song (or the album, as that song is over 50% of the album), but it's definitely what I remember most after walking away from it. The shorter songs are all a little bit hit or miss, but there is one that I really liked from the group (but also one I really didn't like). It stinks that there really isn't much consistency or even flow to the B side of the album. Tarkus is obviously the most important part of the album, but the B side matters too, when talking about a short list of albums to listen to before you die. Favorite Song(s): Tarkus, A Time and A Place
Not my favourite ELP album - I prefer Trilogy and Brain Salad Surgery - but still a great album. My favourite track is "The Only Way (Hymn)".
Interesting
pompous, twiddly, self-indulgent tosh, topped with a dreadful rip-off of "The Girl Can't Help It"