LARKS' TONGUES IN ASPIC

What makes this album so unique and groundbreaking is it's absurdity and there is plenty of it. The insane percussion(Jamie Muir) that builds the title track to it's crescendo's and the crazy(larks?) sounds in the first minute or so of "Book of Saturday" not to mention the approach the band takes to the arrangements of the songs is not for the impatient listener. This is an album for the open minded and as far from the mainstream as possible. It sounds to me that in a lot of the opening track as well you have Wettons bass going through a wah and the triangle is used effectively in "Easy Money" a song which if done straight actually could have had some commercial play to it. Fripp's guitar playing is harsher on a lot of this album and the stuff he does in the title track is amazing. David Cross's violin is not heard in large doses but the interludes are very effective throughout the album and add just another level of depth to an already complicated play. His jam with Fripp on "The Talking Drum" is very cool and again I think Wetton's bass is going through a wah. Watch out for the crazy Lark sounds though at the end of this album. Somewhat startling I might add but a fantastic transition to Larks Part Two. Really a fantastic album and hard not to give it a five star rating as it is so unusual and innovative. Bill Bruford as usual is spectacular and my favorite stuff from him comes with Larks Part Two although he shines throughout. It is important to note that this is an album which has to be played very loud as some of the quiet parts just will not be appreciated.