Thursday, August 16, 2012

#559 The Nice - Ars Longa Vita Brevis

Forgotten prog forefathers, featuring ELP's Keith Emerson. You can certainly see the influence others would pull from this: Genesis's punchy melodies, King Crimson's herky jerky time signatures, Yes's approach to organ sounds; all have their roots on display here. You can read a nice little prog history that focuses on their contributions here

As for the actual music, it actually is more batshit zappa than tightly structured prog during its shorter tracks, full of bizarre outbursts, themes and musical flourishes. The sidelong centerpiece title track is the main draw, it is pure indulgence, kicking off an angular extended drum solo before its even really gotten started. Then the organ runs go on and on, running mostly instrumental for 17 minutes. Its impressive and punishing both, pure jamming, with none of the narrative or architecture that would later help make Genesis and Jethro Tull's epics more manageable.

One of those things you ought to hear, its a singular, visionary work, full of the exhilaration and boredom that comes from a total lack or restraint 4/5

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