ISLANDS

After the disastrous LIZARD lineup of 1970, Robert Fripp regrouped King Crimson in 1971, to record the last album of their "classic" period (1969-71). The new lineup is an almost complete turnover, with the exception of Mel Collins, and Robert Fripp himself. Ian Wallace replaces McCulloch on drums, and is weaker. 'Boz' Burrell, a traditionally Blues singer is brought on to replace vocalist Gordon Haskell. Boz is a noted step down from the two previous Crimson vocalists. He also plays Bass Guitar on the album, due to bassist Rick Kemp exiting the band at the last minute. Robert Fripp had to teach Boz Burrell the instrument himself over the course of several months before recording. Predictably, Burrell's playing on the album is weak. This is generally considered the weakest of the numerous King Crimson lineups, and ISLANDS is an accordingly weak album. This lineup toured extensively, and can be heard live on the awful live LP EARTHBOUND (1972).

ISLANDS has it's moments, but for the most part is a very diluted album. The bright spots do not make up for it's many flaws. This album is much mellower than its three predecessors, and has more of a classical inflection. The album suffers from way too much improvisation, with sub standard musicians, especially compared with other King Crimson lineups. ISLANDS begins with Formentera Lady, which begins nicely, with gorgeous mellotron, but quickly runs out of steam and plods aimlessly for about ten minutes, with occasional good moments thrown in. A very weak opening for a King Crimson work when compared with their other albums. The next track, Sailor's Tail, is promising at first, with excellent guitar and mellotron improvisations from Robert Fripp. Like Formentera Lady, this song does not quite know when to stop, and repeats the same material for seven minutes; a very wearisome song. The Letters is just plain bizarre, a mediocre piece that does not arouse strong feelings either way, especially with Boz Burrell's flat delivery. As oppose to on LIZARD (1970), Mel Collins and the other woodwind/brass players sound much flatter and uninspired on this album, and this is especially apparent on The Letters. Side Two picks up, with the best song on the album, the lighthearted Ladies of the Road. This is a catchy song, with humorous Sinfield lyrics about female groupies. Unlike the largely improvisational Side One, Ladies is surprisingly composed. It also has an interesting Beatlesque refrain in some parts, with the backing vocals imitating Lennon perfectly. Quite odd. The next piece is also great. Prelude: Song of Gulls is Crimson's most classical piece ever, and is simply breathtaking. It does not quite fit in with the sloppy improv on the rest of the album, with its measured, carefully composed, stately grace. Sadly, it lasts for only three minutes, and the album returns to it's weak material, with the 'epic', Islands. This track, a cousin to Formentera Lady also suffers from being overdrawn, and easily could of been done in five minutes. It ends with pure nonsense, the last three minutes consisting of silence, laughing, talking, and occasional music. A sad end to a bad album.

3.5 stars - This album has its moments, but be ready to sit through lots of boring ones to find them. This is only my opinion, and fans are divided, though this album is generally disliked. Fans of KC's more classical/symphonic work will probably enjoy parts of this album, and one should remember it only is bad when compared to the other quality outputs by King Crimson. (I rate this album as good, enjoyable, but not essential)

**** After significant thought, I am upgrading this to a four star album. My above review is certainly accurate for a first impression, and many reviewers share these sentiments. However, after repeated listens, the subtle beauties of Islands begin to reveal themselves: The pitch-perfect, elegiac horn theme in the middle of Islands, Keith Tippet's nuanced and energetic keys in the periphery of the album and the sheer dynamism and relaxed gorgeousness of Formenteta Lady, to name a few. A perfect album for a gentle summer evening or a long car ride. In most respects, King Crimson would never recapture the beauty and delicateness of this album again, a real shame. I was much to hard on this album, and I'd go so far as to call my above review ignorant. However I don't have the time to change it now. This was one of the most unique Krim lineups ever, and its a real shame that Fripp abandoned the more acoustic tones of this album, and by the 1980s slipped completely into a boring guitar-bass-drum format. Islands, to put it shortly, is a melodic and soft album that deserves better.