ISLANDS

King Crimson

Eclectic Prog

3.85 | 2212 ratings

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DamoXt7942
Special Collaborator

Not In the vein of King Crimson first of all.

Through this album "Islands", one of my favourites, sounds like Robert's presence or identity cannot easily be heard. The three free-form jazz rock launchers - Mel, Ian, and Boz - played what they liked to do exactly ... in front of the frontman Robert. The middle part of a golden suite "Formentera Lady ~ Sailor's Tale" or a slightly nasty pop "Ladies Of The Road" should be called as their one-trio show, where we cannot find any symphonic shadow. Robert, who was pushed away out of their improvised jazz session, played deep heavy guitar very monotonously and quietly upon the latter phase of "Sailor's Tale", that can be thought as one of the most important moments in King Crimson's history, especially as for the very last "gorgeous" phrase.

On the contrary, via the last two tracks - "Prelude: Song Of The Gulls" and the titled track - we can hear KC's brilliant and colourful appearance. The former is one of the most beautiful and charming songs of all, like "I Talk To The Wind" or "The Night Watch". The latter should be a pretty creative one, featuring dark atmosphere, Boz's sticky, depressive but enthusiastic voices, and Mel's keen, dramatic trumpet theatre. Above mentioned, in this album, the ending sound of a track is quite meaningful. The last mellotron article and a few seconds' silence can be said as their delicacy and sensitiveness. What a superb milestone this album based upon light and shade is.

Again let me say, this album is my favourite King Crimson's creation without any suspicion, and at the same time, is not recommended as a typical, authentic one for every KC freak. A brilliant gem, nonetheless.

DamoXt7942 | 3/5 | 2016-4-9

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