STARLESS AND BIBLE BLACK

My favorite of the 70's KC studio albums; this is such a varied and yet cohesive collection- a raucous, caustic opener immediately followed by the reflective (and eventually even harder-rocking) Lament..."The Night Watch" is a perfectly composed anglo-tinted gem, from the heartbreaking opening swell to the melancholy narrative; the quiet, simple beauty of "Trio", the creeping menace of "The Mincer"...but the opus is in the extended tracks on the second half. "Starless" and "Fracture" are similar in tone and direction, penultimate examples of the mid-period KC sound: heavy, seemingly improvisational but with perfect flow and balance...emotionally cathartic, this is one of the few Prog albums that really compliments a heavy session of lovemaking! My only regret is "We'll let you know", which is a pointless throwaway jam, and the slightly muffled quality of the recording throughout.