Works, Volume 1

This is a double album by the band. It opens with a classical infused piece that sets the first side in motion (which is beautiful). This is followed by relatively smaller songs with vocals on them. It reminds one of previous ELP albums with a long opening track and then multiple shorter songs. Some of them are okayish however the ballad Closer to Believing almost represents the low point of this album to me. Good thing it picks up pace again with two rummaging instrumentals that put the album back on track. There's the album highlight Fanfare for the Common Man, which is another adaption of Aaron Copland 's work. I don't think this album touches the highs of their debut or Tarkus mainly due to the lower quality stuff that's filled on side 1 after the opening track. It's not bad, but it's not peak ELP. The band could write songs obviously but their instrumental prowess always took first tier over their songwriting chops. They didn't always hit the scoreboard when writing songs and sometimes their shorter songs are ruined by the band's attempts to take a stab at songwriting. It prevents it from being a perfect double record.