2000 Great Songs #1269: Trilogy
For me, Emerson Lake & Palmer are the clearest illustration of progressive rock's excesses--and while I still harbor a love of certain prog acts, ELP were, a few choice tracks aside, usually a bridge too far for me. And the title track from 1972's Trilogy --actually our second pick from the LP--is absolutely an exercise in excess. The nine-minute suite pivots from operatic drama in the beginning to frenetic bombast for the balance of the running length. Yet, inexplicably, I've always kinda liked it. Mostly the hyperkinetic percussion once the song track explodes about three minutes in. Plus, Keith Emerson's keyboards--typically the part of the band I find most grating--sound a lot like a trip to the Disneyland Electrical Parade, something which has haunted me ever since childhood. So, yeah, definitely one from the Guilty Pleasures file, but I'll stand by it. Solo instrumental cover! Jazz quintet cover: Carl Palmer live: NEW! You can now see the entire Top 20...
