EARTHBOUND

As others have noted, be forewarned: Earthbound is a live recording, captured on a cassette recorder. I paid a premium for this back in the day (it was initially only available as an import, and I was a needy college student), and even at that I probably listened to it only once. I have since acquired the remastered CD, and still the fidelity on this album is non-existent. If you have any interest in quality sound, avoid this like the plague. I don't care how intense the music is (and it is intense occasionally), the lack of quality recording ruins the moment. One can only assume that this was released only to meet contractual obligations. So given that the sound sucks, what's to recommend this at all? Not much.

The version of 21st Century Schizoid Man is pretty lame, save for Fripp's guitar solo, which is all over the place and might actually be one of his best if it could be heard in decent sound quality. Peoria is some jazzy funk; same with Earthbound, which reminds me of the rock/jazz/funk found on any Les McCann/Eddie Harris album of the same era. Sailor's Tale is just okay. Get Islands instead.

That leaves Groon, which is the only reason anyone would actually purchase this, it being generally unavailable on any other official release of the time. Groon is one strange duck, an extenuation of the jazz tendencies on display on Lizard and Island, though it too eventually devolves into the aforementioned rock/jazz/funk.

Realistically, this will only appeal to KC completists, which is the only reason I own it.