Emerson Lake & Palmer Albums Ranked

Emerson, Lake & Palmer (ELP) were an English progressive rock supergroup formed in London in April 1970. The band consisted of keyboardist Keith Emerson; singer, bassist, guitarist and producer Greg Lake; and drummer and percussionist Carl Palmer. With nine RIAA-certified Gold record albums in the US, and an estimated 48 million records sold worldwide, they were one of the most popular and commercially successful progressive rock bands in the 1970s, with a musical sound including adaptations of classical music with jazz and symphonic rock elements, dominated by Emerson’s flamboyant use of the Hammond organ, Moog synthesizer, and piano (although Lake wrote several acoustic songs for the group).
The band came to prominence following their performance at the Isle of Wight Festival in August 1970. In their first year, the group signed with E.G. Records (who distributed the band’s records through Island Records in the United Kingdom, and Atlantic Records in North America), and released Emerson, Lake & Palmer (1970) and Tarkus (1971), both of which reached the UK top five. The band’s success continued with Pictures at an Exhibition (1971), Trilogy (1972), and Brain Salad Surgery (1973, released on ELP’s own Manticore Records label). After a three-year break, Emerson, Lake & Palmer released Works Volume 1 (1977) and Works Volume 2 (1977). After Love Beach (1978), the group disbanded in 1979.
Here are all of the Emerson Lake & Palmer albums ranked.

Don’t miss out on the music of Emerson Lake & Palmer below! Click to find out why they are a commercially successful progressive rock band!

10. The Best Of Emerson Lake & Palmer (1980)

“Truly fabulous – especially the Aaron Copeland tracks – hgihly skilful and impressive music. Not quite a masterpiece as it was a compilation, but I would recommend it if you are trying ELP for the first time – then you can decide what other albums to get.”

9. Love Beach (1978)

“Love Beach consists of several “lighter” songs in the 2-5 minute range, a tepid instrumental, and the 20-minute long Memoirs of an Officer and a Gentleman suite. The suite is not bad, albeit directionless, and features some superb grand piano playing by Keith Emerson – indeed, it was worth picking this album up just to hear his playing on this track. The other highlights include Carl’s drumming and Greg’s vocals.

8. Works Volume 2 (1977)

“ELP’s 2nd Works release 1977’s “Works 2”, is a mishmash of some good original and cover tunes. We get the rockin’ number “Tiger In A Spotlight”, which got several spins back in the day, love Keith’s piano chops here. Emerson’s “When The Apple Blossoms Bloom In The Windmills Of Your Mind I’ll Be Your Valentine”, a nice jazz tune with some fantastic keyboard work by Keith. Carl Palmer’s “Bullfrog”, has kind of a King Crimson feel to it, very jazz-rock, good stuff! Greg Lake’s “Brian Salad Surgery”, about oral sex, who knew?! Leftover from the 1973 album, now on the album. Keith’s “Barrelhouse Shake-Down”, is some groovy times.”

See more: Slipknot Albums Ranked

7. Works Volume 1 (1977)

“This is the band’s fifth album. It was originally released in 1977. It is a masterpiece. It’s a set of beautiful tracks. It goes through classic tones, well-sung ballads and true progressive rock sounds. Nothing is disposable on this album. Many fans may not value it. I do not understand, but it’s an opinion. It’s a double album that makes you want to hear it again when it’s over. Looks like it was too fast. This remastering appreciated the work. Great!”

6. Welcome Back My Friends To The Show That Never Ends… Ladies And Gentlemen (1974)

“This is the best live album(s) that ELP ever issued. Blistering versions of their albums up to BSS. Impossibly fast and virtuosic ( is that a word?). It is a shame that at 3 albums they still had tracks that had to be left out. At the time the public wouldn’t have stood for a 4 vinyl album set ( so the story goes), it was expensive enough as it was, a shame as I couldn’t get enough of ELP at the time. Apparently they felt that another version of Pictures would have been a step too far. I for one would love to have Pictures, Rondo and nutrocker added, The overall length is not too long to add these tracks and still be a 3 disc set.”

5. Pictures At An Exhibition (1971)

“”Pictures at an Exhibition” displays Emerson, Lake and Palmer at their most pretentious and ostentatious, but I mean that in the kindest way. Their rendering of the Russian classical composer Modest Mussorgsky’s “Pictures at an Exhibition” is an over-the-top example of prog rock at its arrogant, exploratory best — or worst, depending on your point of view. Here’s what I mean by that: Purists are going to hate it, and by purists I mean people who are purist classical music fans and purist rock ‘n’ roll fans. Both camps include individuals who think the two forms just should not mix. But non-purists are going to recognize it for what it is: A rock band with extraordinary musical chops attacking a classic with a mixture of reverence and aggression.”

See more: Alice In Chains Albums Ranked

4. Trilogy (1972)

“Although this album is not as ground breaking as the first or as raw as Tarkus, or even as aggressive as Brain Salad, it is, I think, the most polished of the ELP collection. Back in the 70’s I spent countless hours on the couch listening to this album with an awesome pair of Sansui speakers, sewing leather patches on my worn out jeans, and now still enjoy it on my on my digital system. I wish I still had those pants. The engineering is unsurpassed in fidelity for the time. Works had some good moments but I wish they stuck more together. Maybe that is what makes this album so special.”

3. Emerson, Lake & Palmer (1970)

“Emerson, Lake & Palmer were a trio group who made progressive rock music with huge classical influences. They were even more experimental than King Crimson. It is interesting to hear music which has this kind of song structure. While “Lucky Man” is the favorite song of mine here – it is the most simple song and maybe that’s why said to be their greatest hit. The other favorites of mine are “Knife-Edge” and “Tank”. Their self-titled is indeed a journey to great musicianship and complex music. The group doesn’t sound they would care much how a good albums should sound like, they are just giving their best to create something which some people love and some people dislike or even hate.”

2. Tarkus (1971)

“Tarkus seems to be often underrated album. The first song which is also the title song, is almost 21 minutes long and it is one of the best songs Emerson Lake & Palmer did. It is progressive rock as its best. The song shows diversity of ELP. About diversity…ELP is not just about long songs. We have also six short songs here. I think they are very good expect for the two songs “Jeremy Bender” and “Are You Ready Eddy?” which are average and actually sound like they would fit here. There are more good songs than just “Tarkus”: I think “Bitches Crystal” and “The Only Way (Hymn)” are very interesting tracks.”

1. Brain Salad Surgery (1973)

“In 1973 when this album came out everything was guitar guitar so this jolted me and I remembered thinking “well this ” Karnevil 9″ is so intricate and intense and beyond any guitar player at the time” For me the best Emerson lake And Palmer Album and my absolute favorite album from 1973 just due to the complexities and sheer energy of Kieth Emerson’s keyboards and Carl Palmer’s speedy drumming. This album always reminds me of classical music but in a Progressive Rock sense where every energy has been use to create something both unique and truly classic. Progressive Rock at it’s best.”