IN THE COURT OF THE CRIMSON KING

Robert Fripp and company helped usher in everyone's favorite music- progressive rock in 1969 with "In The Court Of The Crimson King." Many argue that predecessors Pink Floyd, the Beatles or even Frank Zappa "started" progressive rock, but none of them made it an art form as Crimson did with their debut album. The album starts off with the iconic "21st Century Schizoid Man", a freak-jazz-rock track unlike anything else on the album and that will literally make your head spin. The next three tracks are slower and easier to listen to, but still contain all of the energy as "21st Century Schizoid Man." "I Talk To The Wind" features excellent woodwinds and the mellotron-drenched "Epitaph" is an elegant and beautiful piece. The next song, "Moonchild," features a haunting melody for the first two minutes and then goes into a minimialist improvisation for the next ten minutes. This is the low point of the album, but it is still very good. King Crimson would definitely get better with their improvisation in later years, so don't worry. If you were left a little wanting with "Moonchild," the final song, "The Court Of The Crimson King," is majestic. The epic track pretty much sums up the beauty and melancholy found throughout the rest of the album. Check out this song if you are a little unsure about getting the album. Overall, this is seriously one of the best albums of the 20th century- an absolute classic in every regard!

Standout songs: "21st Century Schizoid Man," "Epitaph," "The Court Of The Crimson K