The Black Moon Album; I remember waiting for this with anticipation. A new ELP album six years after ELPowell( I consider that effort an ELP album whatever other opinions differ). Carl Palmer is back in the fold and how would the music sound. How would the chemistry be after 13 years away from one another? Upon first listening, I noticed the production values and keyboard sounds were rather updated nicely for the 90s. And Emerson had retained his Hammond organ. There was more Hammond organ on this release than ELPowell and possibly more than late 70s ELP. But the music seemed surprisingly simplistic. While listening to the the title track, the drums and bass seem to be mimicking the beat of Queens We will Rock You. I cant help but sing that chorus whenever the bass and drum beat come into play. The second noticeable and alarming factor was Greg Lakes voice. What the hell happened? Yes, it was deeper but not necessarily better. Years of smoking and an irregular practice schedule between the ElPowell album and the recording sessions ruined the upper bell like register of his voice. Paper Blood is another plodding rocker that doesnt get the blood flowing like their previous work. Oh, yes, the lyrics are well written in a socially conscious sense. But again, its musically unremarkable. Romeo and Juliet, the classical adaptation pales in comparison to past classical adaptations. Like Paper Blood, the track plods along, generating little excitement and energy. Its a snoozefest except for the distorted solo Emerson takes at the end. Emersons Close to Home solo piece is another snooefest Affairs of the Heart, despite Lakes new limitations as a vocalist is a wonderful, sterling acoustic ballad and Lake hadnt lost his gift for creating those. Footprints in the Snow is slight but still another pretty acoustic ballad. Farewell to Arms, Burning Bridges Better days, are competent pop songs, well written lyrically but nothing so remarkable that it will make you forget early ELP. Where was the grand masterwork such as the mighty Tarkus. Certainly these guys didnt lose their instrumental prowess. They became musically lazy, particularly Lake and Palmer. The one track that is evident of that is Changing States. on this track, ELP capture the intensity and aggression of old. Lake contributes some nifty bass lines. If most of the album emitted the energy Changing States did, Black moon would have been spectacular. Instead its merely good, not an album to get stoked over. Everyone has different tastes and different takes about this comeback album. I wonder how all of you felt about it.
Posted on: Mon, 29 Sep 2014 15:42:38 +0000
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