IN THE COURT OF THE CRIMSON KING

This is both an excellent and historically valuable album. It is considered by many to be the first true progressive rock album, and it contains wonderful songs done by a lineup of incredible musicians.

21st Century Schizoid Man is a great song. It's so musically unique and it has great lyrics as well. The drumming by Michael Giles is excellent, and the saxophone by Ian McDonald adds a lot. I Talk to the Wind is a beautiful song, and Greg Lake has an amazing voice. The lyrics are among the best Peter Sinfeld ever wrote for King Crimson. In fact, two of my friends did an English project junior year in high school relating the lyrics to the writings of Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau. I think I was the only person in the class who appreciated it, though. Epitaph is a wonderful song; it's very dark and brooding. Once again, Peter Sinfeld demonstrates his talent as a lyricist. The mellotron is used very effectively toward the end of the song, and it adds to the dark and heavy atmosphere. Moonchild takes a lot of abuse for being overlong and pointless, but I do not believe that is the case. The melody at the beginning of the song is beautiful and haunting, but the extended improvisational section is very good as well and I think it demonstrates the collective creativity of the group. Of course, the best song on the album and my favorite King Crimson song of all time is In the Court of the Crimson King. Flute is used to great effect at the beginning and during an instrumental section in the middle of the song. The chorus is simply mind-blowing; it's so dark and beautiful at the same time.

In the Court of the Crimson King is undeniably a prog masterpiece. It is my personal favorite from King Crimson's discography, and I recommend it highly to any prog fan. If you don't already own this, run immediately to your nearest CD store!