ISLANDS

This is an album which has a few detractors. Some reviewers think it has a lot of dull songs, others see it as a masterpiece. This is a very sad, depressing and melancholic album. King Crimson was never known for its ''Joie de Vivre'' anyway, but sure they went on Prozac on this one.

There is another element adding to this gloom is the fact that today ,year 2007, 2 of the 4 musicians implicated in the recording on this album just passed away months apart. King CRIMSON once again has a new line-up with the arrivals of IAN WALLACE behind the drums and BOZ BURELL (later of Bad Company fame) on bass and Vocals. Sadly, they left us both of them a few months ago. So it doesn't help now to elevate your mood when you listen to ISLANDS.

This is a very peaceful album, maybe too much for some , you can listen for example to the title track like a funeral procession march. It is that uplifting!! but if you love melancholic melodies, you are served greatly with ISLANDS. There are not too many ''crazy'' moments like on the first 3 albums, just a little bit on ''the letters '' where MEL COLLINS tries to have some fun, at least a little bit.

The hard- edged side that makes King Crimson unique is not present on this album, the most ''dynamic'' track being ''Ladies of the Road'' with its Beatles-esque vocals. We even have a beautiful piece of complete classical music ''Song of the Gulls'' which is a real treat.

I understand not everyone can enjoy this albumm but i do.It's beautiful sound to my ears.

4 stars well deserved Thanks to IAN W. and BOZ B. for the memories.

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