287. Mike Oldfield | Tubular Bells (1973)

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Wikipedia Entry

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Track

• Tubular Bells

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Note: It is generally noted that album has two tracks, Part One and Part Two, but nowhere on the original 1973 album versions is that indicated. Most albums list Tubular Bells on both sides, along with Side One and Side Two to make it clear which side is which. But Side One and Side Two shouldn't be considered part of the song title or an indication that this song has two parts. It's clear that there is one work on this album and it is called Tubular Bells. It's also clear that it's split in two because one side of an LP can not play for more than 40-odd minutes and this work is over 50 minutes long. Thus, it had to be split into two parts. But that hardly implies it is a work in two parts. The problem was exacerbated when the CD was became the medium of choice. Since a CD can play nearly 70 minutes of music continuously, the track listing should have only indicated one track: Tubular Bells. But most CDs I've seen, have it listed as two tracks.

Tubular Bells is an ambitious album. The music is progressive rock, although it shares very little in common with the other progressive rock bands of the 1970s. The sole piece on this album should be thought of as having several to a dozen or perhaps more distinct sections. In some ways it would have been better to have broken them into tracks, but since their transitions are seamless, it's clear they are part of one whole.

While there are melodies, hooks, riffs and grooves, the piece lacks structure and direction. It almost seems like Mike Oldfield is making it up as he goes.

I do like this album. It certainly has its moments, but it can get tedious at times and pointless at other times. There's certainly no regret when I'm interrupted and have to stop listening to it. So, I think it certainly be listened to because there isn't much else like a 50-minute plus piece of work in popular music. Maybe it's just novelty. I don't think it needs to be on the 1001 Albums list.

★★★★★★★☆☆☆

224. Emerson, Lake & Palmer | Tarkus (1971)

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Wikipedia Entry

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Tracks

1. Eruption
2. Stones of Years
3. Iconoclast
4. Mass
5. Manticore
6. Battlefield
7. Aquatarkus
8. Jeremy Bender
9. Bitches Crystal
10. The Only Way (Hymn)
11. Infinite Space (Conclusion)
12. A Time and a Place
13. Are You Ready Eddy?

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Tarkus is an extravagant/fanciful album. The music is progressive rock. The band devotes the first half of the album, Eruption to Aquatarkus, to a fanciful story of Tarkus, a futuristic armor-plated armadillo-like war machine that battles several enemies until it is defeated by the Manticore and resurrected as the Aquatarkus, an aquatic version of itself. The song is apparently a commentary on the futility of war. The remainder of the album are self-contained songs.

This album demonstrates excellently all the vital elements of a prog rock album. First, there is a concept song which extends close to or more than twenty minutes. Second, the song is a mix of instrumental and lyrical parts, both of which tell the story. Third, the concept topics are fanciful, surreal or allegorical stories which reflect on human nature. Fourth, the commentary is equivalent to a an philosophical essay written for a freshman Intro to Philosophy class. Fifth, the instrumental parts must be over-indulgent demonstrations of the musicians' abilities.

A problem with prog rock is that there is a very fine line between a compelling story and sheer nonsense. If any of the elements mentioned above veers into the absurd the whole concept is ruined. Another problem is that even the best prog rock bands have a hard time avoiding an absurd concept song or album.

This is a decent album. The Tarkus concept doesn't work for me and the instrumental parts aren't all that interesting.  I also don't find much interest in the second half of the album. I do think this is worth hearing and worth being on the 1001 Albums list because it really is a textbook example of prog rock music in it's finest(?) form.

All the songs are decent, but there really aren't any stand outs.

★★★★★★★☆☆☆

221. Elton John | Madman Across the Water (1971)

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Wikipedia Entry

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Tracks

1. Tiny Dancer
2. Levon
3. Razor Face
4. Madman Across the Water
5. Indian Sunset
6. Holiday Inn
7. Rotten Peaches
8. All the Nasties
9. Goodbye

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Madman Across the Water is a catchy album. The music is soft rock. This music focuses heavily on piano and organ. The melodies have an edge to them which makes this album quite dramatic. Many of the song lyrics tell stories. While nothing profound, they enhance the songs.

This is a brilliant album. Soft rock, pop rock, adult-oriented rock or whatever the hell it is can take some pointers from this album about how to do it right. This isn't cheap, superficial, narcissistic music. This is entertainment. It is saccharine, of course, but it's Beatles-quality at least. This is worth listening to and should be on the 1001 Albums list.

All the songs are great. The stand outs are: Tiny Dance, Levon, Madman Across the Water, Rotten Peaches and All the Nasties.

★★★★★★★★★★