IN THE COURT OF THE CRIMSON KING

This first album by the almighty Crimson King reflects the expression of the character represented on the cover. The album is marvelous from the beginning to the end and was, and still is today for the new prog listener, a perfect introduction to the wonderful world of prog rock.

The album contains in my opinion two excellent and more ambient song filling in the spaces between three breathtaking song. This album format is perfect because it grants the listener a bone chilling experience every time one of the two middle tracks ends (I talk to the wind and Moonchild) and one of the epic songs begins. The three breathtaking songs I'm talking about here are : 21st Century Schizoid Man, Epitaph and In the Court of the Crimson King.

When you put on the album, from the first approximate thirty seconds, you hear nothing but little noises, fooling you into believing this is going to start slowly. Then, BANG! The main riff enters and you're amazed for the next seven minutes. The beautiful and really smooth I talk to the wind follows to let you breath a little bit. Those moments of pure musical delight fastly fade into the dramatic intoduction to Epitaph. Here, you have one of the most dramatically intense prog song ever made. By the end of the song, you have to wipe the tears from your eyes while enjoying the early moments of Moonchild. After the beautiful refrain, the whole band enter the most dreaded moment of the album, the last nine minutes of Moonchild. Those are made of mostly noises and little drum beats. It creates a wonderful atmosphere and has a great effect on your mind, slowly drawing your thoughts away from the music only to hear another BANG! The epic Mellotron melody that follows grabs you. You're in for another nine minutes of pure musical perfection along with the Crimson King and his friends.

This album played this really talented lineup of King Crimson and sung by the wonderful voice of Greg Lake, is a masterpiece. It's an important piece of any prog rock collection if only for his historical importance.

-Bern

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