IN THE WAKE OF POSEIDON

The high expectations after the debut album aren't fully maintained by King Crimson's second album, "In The Wake Of Poseidon" The tracks are already played in concert before the recording of the album, and almost all are from the same period of "In The Court Of The Crimson King"; for this reason, "In The Wake Of Poseidon" has the same atmospheres and more or less the same sound of its predecessor. While this is not necessarily a fault, for the extraordinary quality of "In The Court Of The Crimson King, it is obvious that the copy can hardly be as good as the original. However, the main problem is not that, but it is a clear inhomogeneity that you feel hearing this record: the first side of the album, basically, refers to the style of the previous album while the second side sees the presence of more experimental tracks including the first raid by Fripp in the free-jazz territory (Cat's Food). It therefore seems obvious some indecisiveness on the stylistic direction to be taken, and this is the clear fault concerning "In The Wake Of Poseidon".

Something about the songs? A lot of mellotron here, but Fripp uses this instrument in a much more innovative way than McDonald, especially in the experimental The Devil's Triangle a long and ominous instrumental track that, heard today, is a bit boring. By contrary In The Wake Of Poseidon (or, if you want, ... "Epitaph Part Two ... " ) is a masterful composition with a convincing Greg Lake at vocals and a middle section (Libra's Theme) with an amazing sequence of mellotron chords. Also good is Pictures Of A City (or "21st Century Schizoid Man Part Two ..." ) with a memorable opening attack, the sound of distorted guitar, and the outstanding sax riff. Peace and Cadence and Cascade are the most melodic tracks: not bad, but "I Talk To The Wind" was better.

Concluding an album with ups and downs. Not essential but, however, recommended to all.

Final rating: 6/10.

Best song: In The Wake Of Poseidon

Review milestone #30 by DN

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