STARLESS AND BIBLE BLACK

Who said "Starless" was King Crimson's prog apex? "Fracture" is the real deal and is surely one of the reasons I come to like this album so much. It took some time for me to really get around this album after being blown away by 'Larks' Tongues in Aspic', but I guess that was because of the majority of this album consist of improvised material. The written songs here are the strongest ones, especially the two opening proggers which have enough ideas alone to fill a side, Crimson style. However, "Fracture" remains my favorite KC composition. Ever. Not even "Schizoid Man" can reach up to the dark and menacing moods of this track, and the complexity of it alone would give an orchestra a run for their money. Sadly, this album doesn't really get the attention it deserves though the improvs (live, with audience noise removed) here really adds to the album overall although they're not the strongest ones in Crimson's catalogue.

A very rewarding album in the end, just a tad misunderstood. 4.5/5