The Nice vs. ELP

[Quaco]

BCB is really slow and dead right now. This should kill it off!

[TG]

I'd have voted for Emerson, Lake and Powell if given the chance. But then you knew that.

[The Slider]

I like about 4 albums' worth of ELP, even though it's shit

I like The Nice's first and a small handful of tracks from the rest of their mostly stinky career

ELP by default
But if I could only keep one album, the Thoughts would edge out BSS

[Quaco]

I like about 4 albums' worth of ELP, even though it's shit

I like The Nice's first

I agree with you this far. I think The Nice's second is also very good. After that, they do lose me because they get more serious, Emerson getting prepared for doing ELP.

BSS is ELP's best album (though the best parts of it are covers), but I like the first two Nice albums better than it ultimately. I like various ELP things over the course of their career, it's more about the soud and the over-the-topness of it all. Songwriting isn't really their strong suit. Side one of Emerlist Davjack has better songs than all but about three ELP songs.

More and more, I go with The Nice. I also like their playing more. Things like "Rondo" and "Karelia Suite" just sound better to me than anything by ELP, despite the care taken with the latter. I love Brian Davison; I don't love Carl Palmer.

[C]

The Nice.

All four albums plus live Elegy

I love Lee's voice and Blinky's tubs

Ars Longa is a fabulous album






.

[soundchaser]

ELP. I used to love The Nice a lot more than I do now, but really, other than the psychedelic first, everything is about Emerson’s theatrics. That said, I love the live versions of America, Rondo and Intermezzon Karelia Suite. I can enjoy any ELP through Brain Salad Surgery, so that’s where my vote goes.

[The Slider]

I like about 4 albums' worth of ELP, even though it's shit

I like The Nice's first

I agree with you this far.

Seems to me you agreed with me (mostly) all the way through.
Apart from where your vote went

[toomanyhatz]

ELP. Lake is the difference.

Neither are terribly interesting most of the time, but Jackson is an extremely limited vocalist. Lake could do what was needed. Not to say he always had the best taste, but he's the musician between everybody in either band that had the most range.

[pcqgod]

I find the Nice generally listenable. Can't say that about ELP.

[The Slider]

I find the Nice generally listenable. Can't say that about ELP.

You've not *heard* Lee Jackson sing???

[Hightea]

ELP first 5 albums all very good - after that poor or should be on a solo album.
The Nice were good too but really only like about 10 or 12 songs from all their albums.

The real difference for me is Lake, Palmer is an overrated drummer although still very good shouldn't have been left off a top 30 rock drummer list that we have seen lately.

ELP for me.

[pcqgod]

I find the Nice generally listenable. Can't say that about ELP.

You've not *heard* Lee Jackson sing???

I'm sure Greg Lake has a prettier voice, but it doesn't make ELP's music any more palatable to me.

[Quaco]

It's the rougher/'60s aesthetic of The Nice that I (tend to) prefer to ELP's. That and the drumming (Davison was wonderful, energetic, and had swing; Palmer had speed and dexterity but not much feel). The Nice could very well have been great with Lake on vocals.

[soundchaser]

If one album separates these two bands, I think it’s ELP’s eponymous debut: a real canon classic.

[Jimbly]

If one album separates these two bands, I think it’s ELP’s eponymous debut: a real canon classic.

In truth it's not that great, patchy at best.

[Quaco]

It's so patchy, I think it's actually pretty brave. Barring "Lucky Man", there's little that is very immediate. Good on them for going ahead with something that abstract.

[The Slider]

Take a Pebble is pretty immediate - if a bit long
So is Knife Edge

[frimley_greener]

The Nice by a country mile.

[soundchaser]

If one album separates these two bands, I think it’s ELP’s eponymous debut: a real canon classic.

In truth it's not that great, patchy at best.

In truth, it's a really great album, with a perfect side 1.

I also have a lot of love for everything up to, and including, Brain Salad Surgery.

[Jimbly]

If one album separates these two bands, I think it’s ELP’s eponymous debut: a real canon classic.

In truth it's not that great, patchy at best.

In truth, it's a really great album, with a perfect side 1.

I also have a lot of love for everything up to, and including, Brain Salad Surgery.

Take A Pebble is padded beyond belief, the ludicrous guitar break is cringeworthy.