It can be easy to mock progressive rock. With its bloated song lengths, obscure lyrics and labyrinthine soundscapes, the genre is a favorite target for advocates of leaner, meaner styles like punk and alt-rock.

However, it's hard to argue with a live album that demonstrates a highly skilled band's musical mastery and its power on stage that never wears out its welcome. This is presented by Emerson, Lake and Palmer's excellent "Greatest Hits Live," a spectacular live outing, which, despite the title, is anything but a regurgitation of studio tracks in a live setting. "Hits" shows England's preeminent prog supergroup at its considerable best, showcasing the theatricality and musicianship for which ELP was acclaimed during its