LIZARD

Slightly better than the heavier Red but not quite as brilliant as In The Court Of The Crimson King (thouhg it is not far off), making this KING CRIMSON's second greatest album. A compositional masterpiece instrumentally mixes with superbly crafted lyrics, both substantial and ludicrous, expertly delivered by both Gordon Haskell and Jon Anderson. This album embodies everything great about progressive rock, at times agressive and bombastic and at time soft and beautiful but never anything less than virtuoso. To love this album is to love progressive rock in its purest form because if your looking for a nice easy crossover sound you ain't getting it. There are greater prog albums (not many, mind you) but I don't know that any better exemplify Essential: a masterpiece of progressive music. An unabashed 5 stars.