Neapolitan

Album title: Brain Salad Surgery
Artiste: Emerson, Lake and Palmer aka ELP
Band Origin: England
Recorded: n/a (I couldn't find the actual studio they recorded in, but wiki says for this album they practiced in an old cinema.)
Year: 1973
Genre Progressive Rock
Band Members:
Keith Emerson keyboards:
Greg Lake: Bass, Electric and Acoustic Guitar
Carl Palmer: drums, percussion, and early synthesized percussions
with:
Peter Sinfield, he was an early member of King Crimson and helped write the lyrics for some of the songs.

Familiarity of the Band: I am somewhat familiar with the band, mostly their early recordings.

Familiarity of the Album In HS I borrowed the album from a friend of mine who was also a big Prog fan. I only played it a few times and haven't heard it in a while. Unless I am mistaking, I think Paul played some tracks in plug not too long ago.

Favourite track(s): Karn Evil 9 - 1st Impression
Why?
I am mostly familiar with the song.

Least favourite track(s): n/a
Why?
I like everything, some more than others but not one track I really hated.

Any preconceptions prior to listening, whether good or bad?
I haven't hear this particular album in a while. I didn't know what to expect.

Artwork: The cover is done by H. R. Giger, who is known to combine both organic and mechanical elements in his artwork .

Factoids you'd like to share?
Peter Sinfield who help write lyrics was a member of early King Crimson.
H. R. Giger who did the cover also did work for the sci-fi space thriller Alien.
The ring-modulator, which was used for the computer voice on the 3rd Impression, was the same fx also employed for the computer-like voice for those mutants aliens in bin-like tanks with toilet plungers, the Darleks, from the UK series Doctor Who.

Initial impression: I had to rely on an youtube to listen to the album, I thought it (well what was uploaded on youtube) came in kinda abruptly but soon enough I felt I was off to a good start. The opening track was good, and Toccata made a strong second track.

End impression:
I really enjoyed the album. I wish I could write a longer better review.

Comments: I love ELP. I know they're not suited for every one. My brother (who is a drummer) says he hates Carl Palmer (esp. during the Asia era) because he feels he's too rudimentary. But I rather enjoy his style. His style (especially on early ELP albums this one) is a throwback to Jazz drummers where drum roles both essential for a good drummer, and quintessential for a drummer during a extended drum solo. Most modern drummers has drifted away from the Jazz techniques both in Heavy Metal and Alt Rock etc. So what Carl is doing is some great stuff but might be lost.

Carl Palmer ranked 41 in March 2014 issue of Modern Drummers: 50 Greatest Drummers of All Time! In the article they actually recommend Karn Evil 9. I'm glad he made the list, but then imo you can't take much stock on how they rate drummers, they have Carter Beauford at 47... no way, whether or not you like Dave Matthews, he should be ranked much much higher.

I felt it was fun to listen to a band playing at such a high caliber of musicianship such as Emerson on keys and Palmer behind the drums. Honestly, in my opinion, virtuosity doesn't always equate to pomposity... no, not all the time and not in this case. I think Palmer and Lake sometimes play more of a supporting role of Emerson, there are gaps where they lay low and lets Emerson go on his organ and synth solos. Which is cool because Carl is equal to Keith on a artistic level but he doesn't compete his him, he just plays his part and also supports the other two musicians. I think they work well together, they not competing with each other and don't step on each other toes or are off doing their own thing. A great album by a great band.


Rating: 4.5

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