LIZARD

For some reason, King Crimsons early albums (after ITC, before Larks Tongues) have been sort of overlooked. Being my second favorite band of all time, I can enjoy all of their 70s albums. But Lizard is a very unique piece of music. Coming out after Poseidon, the 50/50 remake of their debut, Fripp decides to change up their sound completely. Now the only members playing from previous albums on here are Fripp and Sinfield on lyrics, the rest are new Jazz- oriented musicians, to change things up. Enjoying this album does require a taste, but once you acquire it, boy does it taste good.

Starting off extremely strong, Cirkus wakes you up with some evil-sounding mellotron. The jazz like drumming is very strong, and fripps classical guitar sound couldn't be better. This is probably Gordon Haskell's best singing on the album, he isnt an amazing singer, but this song wouldnt be the same without him. The beautiful sax solo midway is my favorite part, a delicate touch surrounded by chaos. Definitely one of the best songs here.

Indoor games and Happy Family go together quite well. Indoor games is quite a silly track, and if you asked me what its about, I wouldn't be able to answer very well. Hell, there are some words that don't even exist in here. There is a very tight jazzy instrumental section midway that i really enjoy. Happy family is another very odd track something about the events of a family dying, im not really sure though. This song has always given me the giggles for some reason, Haskells slightly distorted goofy singing here and there, surrounded by jazzy instrumental. This is the sort of song only a band like Crimson would produce.

I love it when albums have short melancholy breaks (Moonmadness, Lamb Lies Down, Hand. Cannot. Erase.), this is my favourite of them all. Lady of the Dancing Water lets soft flute and guitar give you a break from the madness and takes you to a meadow somewhere beside a lake. A perfect prelude for the epic title track.

The flipside is taken up entirely by the title track, one of my favorite songs of all time. Jon Anderson singing on a King Crimson album? Its any prog fans dream. Peters lyrics have never been better, and Anderson brings them to life perfectly. The chorus is very catchy, which is a very rare thing to find in the Crimson stables. When Anderson steps away from the mic, youre introduced to A Peacocks Tale, my favorite section of the song. Clarinet has never sounded better than in this light instrumental passage. Reminds me strongly of "Islands" occupying their next album. There's a minute of spoken word before hitting you in the face with the most image-provoking battle sequence you'll ever here. Thundering trombones blast, it has a certain medieval feel to it that I love. The thing I love most about this song is just how many instruments are being played. It amazes me just how overlooked this gem is, being one of my favorite side-longs. A Masterpiece.

Robert Fripp himself announced he didnt care for this album, which is a shame. I rate this album 4.5 stars, but im giving it 5, due to the fact that giving it 4 would be lowering its average. Highly underrated masterpiece of progressive rock.

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