Tarkus - EMERSON LAKE & PALMER***

Tarkus/Jeremy Bender/Bitches Crystal/The Only Way (Hymn)/Infinite Space (Conclusion)/A Time & A Place/Are You Ready Eddy

Tarkus was the follow up album from the bombastic progressive trio Emerson Lake & Palmer. The superior title track covering side one comprises a suite divided into seven songs based on the group’s notions of reverse evolution. (US:9 UK:1)

“Tarkus itself is a great prog track, and one I always enjoy listening to. The final part Aquatarkus, with its bubbly moog sound, may sound cheesy now but it was a good end to the story.”

“If a ton of rapid keyboard work and songs that never end don't scream excessive prog...then I don't know what does. One can't deny their skill after hearing this, even if it is headache inducing, annoying and self-indulgent. It's a shame that really only the Tarkus medley is exciting and fun.”

“I am not the biggest fan of Emerson, Lake & Palmer but I have to admit that the Tarkus suite is a really impressive musical piece and makes this album one of the most influential progressive rock albums. Unfortunately the second side is rather weak.”

“For me, most of the material from Tarkus still sounds strong today, and why many cannot appreciate the challenging difference this music represents, compared to the overrated, repetitious and derivative dross that one hears from many artists today, is puzzling. It just seems that many regard adventurism as pomposity; ELP can be pompous and sometimes their music led to a dead-end. I'd rather take the gems with the clunkers than settle for the fool's gold consistently proffered by the mediocre.”

“The title track is one of the best prog rock songs ever. Although almost twenty minutes long, it is so well structured, and has such well done riffs/melodies throughout, that it never feels like it drags nearly as much as it should. It's honestly a sublime song, and the kind of which I wish this band could have delivered more often. The rest of the album is very hit or miss at best.”

“This was ELP's first full-side suite, and musically it is amazing even if the lyrics don't seem to make any sense or have anything to do with the plot as outlined on the record cover. Unfortunately, side two seems to be a bunch of outtakes. That's the only way I can describe the shocking drop in quality.”