'71: Gainsbourg's Melody Nelson/ Crimson's Islands

Oh, Histoire de Melody Nelson went up against the mighty King Crimson in an extremely strong Prog year.

I decided to pit a favourite album from an artist not included in PA against a band included in a Prog category at PA from the same year (this time 1971) again (last time it was Portishead's Dummy vs. Angalgarad's Epilog). Since the non-PA album is ranked at number 32 for 1971 at rateyourmusic overall, I opted to put it against the thirty-second highest rated album in PA's overall top Prog album charts from 1971. Like the last, the album in PA turned out to be an album I have in my collection. That year in Prog is well represented in my collection as it would be for many here. Islands is one of my very favourite albums by King Crimson, but I know that many don't hold it in such regard. I expect many at PA will not know Histoire de Melody Nelson. I think of it as a major classic and much as I like the Islands album, it is my vote.

Here's a track from both albums:





Edited by Logan - September 09 2021 at 15:02

It's an interesting combination. While I do like Islands (not one of my favourite Crimson albums), it can not beat Serge Gainsbourg.

Kc