IN THE COURT OF THE CRIMSON KING

This is the one I would take to the isolated island with me. It is the best prog rock album I've heard by now (and I've heard a lot of great records by other bands in that genre including Yes, ELP, Genesis, Pink Floyd...). King Crimson's "In the Court of the Crimson King" is one of the best records of all time and it is the one everyone should have at his home, despite their music taste or knowledge. The more I listen to it, the more I like it and by each listening I find something new on this amazing album. King Crimson were a band ahead of their time, that's certain. They had (and still have) a combination of great musicians, always full of great ideas and not afraid of discovering new horizons in rock music and beyond. One of the most inovative classic rock guitarists, legendary Robert Fripp, that became the only remaining founding member and de facto band leader, contributed equally with other members. That were excelent singer and basist Greg Lake, perfect multiinstrumentalist Ian McDonald, decent jazz drummer Michael Giles and genius poet (lyricist) Peter Sinfield. Clever and crafty use of then new instrument, mellotron, pawned the way for the original sound of the band. There are prophetic songs like "21 Century Schizoid Man" and "Epitaph", calm, relaxing ballads such as "I talk To The Wind and "Moonchild" and epic title track "Court Of The Crimson King". One for every human emotion or state of mind. "21 Century Schizoid Man" will shock everyone with its proto metal beat, speed and fury of Lake's digitalized voice. Sinfield certainly had a clear vision of present world when he was writting lyrics for this one, while Fripp made an astonishing solo in the mid- part of the song. It is actually a fusion of jazz and hard rock and is the best track to represent this great band. Very relaxing but also moving combination of McDonald's flute and Lake's gentle singing on beautiful ballad "I Talk To The Wind" makes a great contrast after apocalyptic paranoia of the first track. Light is shining through the whole track and everytime I get depressed or I am under pressure I put this one on my recorder. Such a great relief! For me it is the most beautiful song in band's history. On "Epitaph" we can hear just how great singer Lake was. This song is the main reason why he is my favourite singer in band history and one of the best in that genre. A very sad and dramatic song about futility of modern man's path that should us as the warning for future generations. " Moonchild" is a dreamy and magical song, full of innocence and is a perfect to listen in the dark. It will take you to the world of dreams and fairytales in the moment. Touching singing and nice mellotron arangements in the first part of the song. Second part, an improvisation, is a great meditative moment and it even brings some eastern mood to the end of the song. Now as we reach the last song, mysterious and mellotron driven " Court Of The Crimson King", that brings all the musical elements of the previous songs together, reality and imagination are finally united. We can imagine the crimson king himself sitting on his throne and watching all his jesters, jugglers, gardeners, witches, queens, all of his dancing puppets....performing for him. A most epic song on the album with another combination of great and inteligent (band's signature) musical skill. Thus ends this masterpiece.

In many aspects, not only musical, King Crimson were a band ahead of their time and so is this record. A breathtaking cover of "Schizoid Man" (I recommend 30th Anniversary Edition as it is designed as vinyl replica and has a better view of this great artwork on it). I must add that this was the one that brought my atention to the long forgotten masterpiece, after I heard some albums from their later periods. I still think that they are all great in their own aspects but this debut just conquers them all. As I said at the beginning of my review, not only a cornerstone of progressive rock but also one of the best records ever!

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