ISLANDS

islands is quite a trip to another place. A strange place not quite any other place crimson has taken us. A dark, mysterious place. This is a highly classically influenced album, which is good, imho. The intro to formentera lady is deep and brooding, with some sinister cello sounds. Soon come the flute and bells to sweep you right in and never let you leave! Boz does a goos vocal job on this song, as well as the rest of the album. However, his basslaying ability, as many of you already know, is weak. His lines are simple, but they do cut it. They don't impress, but all in all, they don't distract you from the rest of the greatness going on. Track 2, sailors tail brings in the expirimental jazz feel, with some good guitar work by fripp. Overall, very good. This is where boz's bass sounds the best to me, probaly because he isn't singing. Good piece. Next is my personal favorite, the letters. It sound very sinister. Boz's vocals really stand out here! The quiet intro is soon interupted by loud saxophone sounds, similar to pictures of a city on poseidon. We also get a 'spray' of percusion, which soon entirely dicipates into nothing, but a quiet saxophone. Soon we get another 'explosion', vocal in nature, with a heavy dose of dramaticism. Then the song goes kind of jazz style, but remains consistent. No matter how you break this one down, it remains consistent. Ha ha(discipline t4). Any way, good song. Then comes ladies of the road, which is about groupies. This is a catchy tune with some cool vocal harmonies. It is also loud and obnoxious in that trademark crimson way that we all love. A good tune. Next we have the most beautiful crimson tune of all time, with only exiles and cadence and cascade as worthy contenders. This song is pure classical music and accordingly, pure excellence. I do think it is the softest, most beautiful crimson song ever, and I've heard almost all of their work. Next comes the mysterious islands. This song opens with some mysterious, dreamy lyrics and classical sounds. The great thing about this song is that it steadily builds and becomes 'warmer' and a little loude, with some nice trumpet work that really adds to the song. Eventually, it goes silent, only to have some studio sound and people talking come in, as if a rehearsal is going on. Then you hear a countdown 1, 2, 3 and just when you think something is going to happen, the album ends, leaving you to wonder what they were about to play. imho, this is a brilliant ending. It leaves you feeling something, like melancholia. This album really takes you places. I just can't quite give it a 5, because it's a little soft for crimson standards. Crimson fans need this one.