ISLANDS

'Islands' is mostly underappreciated as it is quite removed from all other schemes by KC. It has a strange line-up and the compositions do not fit to the rest of KC's repertoire. But after a hundredth listening, it all becomes clear and every song falls into line. Oddly enough, my favourite is 'Song Of The Gulls', which is an istrumental part played by strings and woodwinds that sounds neo-romantic. But 11-minute 'Islands' is a nice exemple of space rock. 'The Sailor's Tale' has one of the best of Fripp's guitar parts. 'Ladies Of The Road' is a jazzy tune with interesting lyrics. In overall view, 'Islands' is essential not only as a masterpiece, but also because in its being different it defines the early Crimson.