LIZARD

I know, there’s always much to argue about Lizard, because it really differs from KC’s first two (and many other also) releases by form of expression. Of course, there is more jazz orientation, but does it really differ so much from older albums? As I listen to Pictures Of A City from ITWOP, for example, I can see many similarities… I can understand people who say this album is KC’s hardest to get into (even Robert Fripp himself didn’t get into it, as he says it was his biggest mistake in his career), but what I know is that I didn’t have any problems with loving it. I can say that the spirit of the music on this album is not far from earlier or older Crimson, remaining as always eclectically dark, beautiful and paranoid at the same time. Alright, now back to the songs…

The album starts with Cirkus. This song is amazing from it’s first humble piano sounds to the full-blown madness at the end. Everything is beautiful, perfect here. Keith Tippet’s piano catches lost subtle notes from cosmos, mellotron in haunting, drums are monumental, Mr. Fripp’s acoustic guitar sounds subtle, and electric one is magically depressive. Mel Collins’ sax provides nice addition throughout the song until it tales the lead at the end. As I said it all ends with extraterrestrial feeling of insanity/paranoia… Haskell’s vocals sound so mystic… It’s impossible to describe this song with only twenty six characters, all I can say, hold your breath and push “Play”…

With Indoor Games and Happy Family jazz inclinations come to the fore. but it’s not conventional jazz or fusion or whatever. It’s unique, Crimso-hellish, paranoid, mad… I heard lot of free jazz that can’t induce this feelings. right, only Masters can do it.

Lady Of The Dancing Water closes side A on vinyl. I think, the genius can show itself by 100% in ballads, and here is the case… Perfect flute, voice and of course, guitar. Although on vinyl is a perfect side closer, on CD it’s like an intro to the epic…

Lizard… Hey, familiar voice… Wait, it’s Jon Anderson!!! What a surprise! This is maybe my most loved epic, two years older then the famous Supper’s Ready (an overblown one, which I don’t really praise). In fact it’s opposite to Supper’s Ready, being the wave of beauty then just a weird combination of nice themes. I can’t really differ it’s parts (unlike some others), Because it sounds like one organic entity. Jazzy improvisations follow melodic parts and it all drowns in mellotron… There’s atmosphere of a fairy tale. It’s an absolute masterpiece.

In conclusion, as I said there are some changes in style after Poseidon, but it’s still Fripp!!! & co. If I was forced to choose one highlight, that would be Cirkus, but other songs come pretty close. And in Gordon Haskell’s defense, I declare him as great singer. More than highly recommended, it’s a must.

AN INSANE ALBUM!!!

5+ stars again!!!

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