Emerson, Lake & Palmer

Onstage, EL&P usually overcome the shortcomings of their records -- insufficient intensity
and lack of worthy material -- by working hard and busting their asses to play with
incredible tightness (witness Pictures at an Exhibition). In the studio, their vision and
grandiose schemes dilute the tightness, resulting in things like Brain Salad Surgery, on
which their shortcomings outweigh undeniable moments of brilliance. The resul... More >

Is this supposed to be a rebound because Pete Sinfield wrote the lyrics? Because Certified Classical Composer Alberto Ginastera--who gets royalties, after all--attests to their sensitivity on the jacket? Because the sound is so crystalline you can hear the gism as it drips off the microphone? (Grade: C-)