THE CHEERFUL INSANITY OF GILES, GILES & FRIPP

So what if this is very far from 'the court of the Crimson King' in musical style? Surely a Crimson fan can be quite disappointed with this album, but taken as it is, it's very charming, intellectual, tongue-in-cheek pop album of the sixties. Songs are about two minutes long and they can be compared to some BEATLES tunes like 'When I'm 64', 'Martha My Dear', etc, or to other sixties bands with an innovative playing like Beach Boys or Manfred Mann.

The simple songs of A-side are all part of 'The Saga of Rodney Toady' (by Fripp) that has narration between the songs. It's about a fat and ugly boy of fat and ugly parents who advice him to find a fat and ugly girl to marry. Monty Python -type of silly English humour... or actually more naive and less obviuosly trying to make one laugh; like a bit weird children's book!

There are, however, things beyond the simplicity and childishness. You don't HAVE to be a Crimsonist to enjoy Michael Giles' great drumming or Fripp's guitar, but it makes it more interesting to listen to it as the pre-stage of that legendary band.