ISLANDS

There is a lot of fine mighty prog rock energy and dreaminess throughout the record. 'Sailor's Tale' is really impressive, with that solid tacky groove that feels very natural, the electrifying and elaborate guitar work, and the thing that I usually would expect from the Mellotron - the storm-like sound of the strings on tape. 'Ladies of the Road' is just downright mad and schizophrenic. The band really rocks - a thing I would usually expect from the Crims because the song is very groovy and Robert Fripp's guitar probably has never been so nasty and aggressive before. The soft side of the song is just so out-there-kind-of-dreamy, addictive, pretty, and sweet that it really gives some musical "flowers", if you know what I mean, but the word "imaginative" would be just perfect. Who said that Boz Burrell is a terrible singer? So, don't mind Pete Sinfield's occasional tastelessness and enjoy the musical romp on this song.

Every time I hear 'Prelude - The Song of the Gulls', I feel myself like a complete classical music dummy because I don't know who it was inspired by. Tchaikovsky? Ravel? I don't know. The reason this question is relevant is because I like the overtones of the instruments and the melodies featured on that instrumental, and I would really like to hear more stuff like that.

Along comes the enamoring epic title track where every second needs to be absorbed. The lyrics are very enthralling and the music is very digestible because it's melodic, or, in general, tastefully done. Compared to 'Prelude', this track possesses more of that depth of intimacy and demonstrates that Robert Fripp & Co. can still put together something other than just classical music. The saxophone and the Mellotron on the whole track, as well as the organ in the end (or is it organ?) provide us with the peak moments on this composition (or song, if you will).

There was one thing that I actually liked about 'Formentera Lady' - the slightly erratic acoustic guitar work with heavy syncopation somewhere near the end of the track. You might find something else to this improvisation (or song, again, if you will). 'The Letters' sounds strange. I do enjoy a few instrumental moments on it that give this track a contrast in texture, but I already decided for myself which track is better: 'Sailor's Tale' or this one.

Overall, this is a four-star experience because there is not much originality to this album, there is a hint of sexism, and there is quite a lot of filler. But four stars is probably the least I can do. This work deserves 4.5 stars maximum.

Ratings/comments (if you have to ask):

1. 'Formentera Lady' - **

2. 'Sailor's Tale' - *****

3. 'The Letters' - **

4. 'Ladies of the Road' - *****

5. 'Prelude ? Song of the Gulls' - ****

6. 'Islands' - *****

Stamp: "I like it."