EARTHBOUND

"Earthbound" is a live album release by UK progressive rock act King Crimson. The album was released through Island Records in June 1972. It bridges the gap between King Crimson´s fourth- and fifth full-length studio albums "Islands" (December 1971) and "Larks' Tongues in Aspic" (March 1973). Recorded through a mixer directly to cassette tape "Earthbound" is a relatively lo-fi recording, and is sometimes described as a bootleg sounding live recording. The band wisely realised that, and upon release offered the album at a budget price. The reasoning being that it didn´t cost them much to record, so the fans shouldn´t have to pay much to listen to it.

Personally I´ve heard bootlegs which sound both better and much worse than "Earthbound", but it´s arguably not a particularly well sounding release. Opening with a loud, heavy, and noisy version of "21st Century Schizoid Man" King Crimson are on to a messy and untight start. "Peoria" is a 7:30 minutes long blues rock jam, which sounds almost nothing like what you´d expect King Crimson to sound. "Sailor's Tale" appears on a shorter version than the studio version found on "Islands" and it sounds uninspired and muddy. "Earthbound" is a blues jazzy improvised jam and again sounds nothing like you´d expect King Crimson to sound. Scat vocals and all from Boz Burrell.

The closing track is a 15:30 minutes long version of "Groon". A track which first appeared on the B-side to the "Cat Food" single in 1970. It´s an improvised jazz jam track...needless to say it again sounds nothing like what you´d expect King Crimson to sound like, and upon conclusion "Earthbound" isn´t a good quality live release from King Crimson. Not only is the recording quality sub par, but the band perform music here which isn´t at all in line with their studio output. Had I gone to see King Crimson on this tour I would have been extremely disappointed. A 2.5 star (50%) rating is warranted.

(Originally posted on Metal Music Archives).