LIZARD

Quite the gem, Lizard the third album by King Crimson, stands to be one of Fripp's most particular albums. It is a pinnacle in Art Rock. Admittedly I found this album to my distaste at first. It took a few years before I would grow to appreciate it as I do. The album is a fusion of many styles and is a very well orchestrated piece. Avant-Garde and dissonance are prominent throughout and the listener may be found at odds enjoying it. Gordon isn't Greg and can also be viewed as a downfall also. However if one listens to this album completely vanquishing any thought of the first two albums (Except Cascade) one may find it quite enjoyable. I came into it with that mind frame and suddenly I found myself loving it. In fact it is now one of my favorite albums. Definitely in my top 100.

Gordon Haskell's vocals may be very underestimated as they aren't as strong as Greg Lake's. However they are very dramatic and can be appreciated. Cirkus, Indoor Games and Lady of the Dancing Water allows us to do this. His bass playing is good as well. Though it isn't necessarily something to get excited about.

Mel Collins is a master of the wind. His tonal sax playing is on par with Wayne Shorter Though Wayne Shorter does have a great sense of atonal music as well.)

Fripp's guitar playing is very expanded on this album. He explores a plethora of techniques and styles. From dark and twisted to clean and angelic and everywhere in between he dominates the guitar throughout.

Andy McCollough is a great fusionistic drummer. Though sometimes he may come of as a bit much. He is probably better suited for a Fusion band but his drums are very welcome on the album.

The contributing musicians are of great caliber. It is ultimately them whom put this album up to the top. The horn sections and keyboards are bring a jazzier side to KC yet to be explored.

Cirkus is a brilliant track. It really shows the ability of the musicians to keep everything together. Indoor Games is a little crazy but is still a strong piece. Happy Family is plain weird but that can go both ways. Lady of The Dancing Water is more typical of earlier KC and is beautifully laid out. It isn't necessarily a masterpiece though many listeners will disagree with me.

The title track Lizard is the best part of the album. It takes up all of side B on the original vinyl. It is in a quite different vein than the first part of the album and I find it much more accessible in the traditional sense. It is broken up into different named sections. Starting with a beautiful passage by Jon Anderson and Keith Tippet.

Prince Rupert Awakes goes back and forth between classical symphonic and folk rock. Fripp's signature delay reverse guitar effect is teased on this part and fits perfectly. Towards the end of Prince Rupert Awakens it gets extremely powerful. Very symphonic. It peaks and then quietly transitions into Bolero.

Bolero is a very beautiful Latin/Symphonic passage that is very classically inspired. The air is filled by Tippet's blazing yet soft accompaniment. The original theme recurs before the horns bring on some New Orleans style jazz to the mix in which Tippet then brings the mojo. The theme occurs again with a jazz flare. It transitions back to a Latin/Middle Eastern Symphonic masterpiece. The movement ends with almost a feeling of triumph.

Battle begins very softly leading into Haskell singing eerily. It feels very dark yet somehow inspired. Then we get a dose of some traditional KC. It picks up and is in your face. Thick with Mellotron and mid-ranged bass. Horns are very together but there is an overall looseness to it. It holds itself together barely by a thread. Some crazy avantish soloing. Battle is also broken into three different parts. Prince Rupert's Lament showcasing Fripp's amazing ability with psychedelic technique.

Big Top ends the album is very trippy.

Cirkus and Lizard are very strong tracks and if they were released as an EP it would be a 5 star EP. The rest of he tracks are weaker with Happy Family being the weakest of the mix. A very 2 to 3 star song IMO. I rate this album a 3.5 rounded to four because of the awesomeness that is Lizard.