(Prog-Rock) King Crimson - In The Court Of The Crimson King

[Jigglypuff]

It has been said that if one group embodies prog-rock, it is certainly King Crimson, and after hearing this disc, you'll have to agree. Prog before it was a genre, and forever uncool, the mighty Crim has always been in the thick of the experimental rock subculture, frequently breaking apart and gloriously returning stronger than before.

The first lineup had been together less than year at recording time - four devotees of the London club scene who had made a name at the free Hyde Park concert of July 5, 1969. The band committed to tape five of their best tunes and had the whole album ready in a few days - "21st Century Schizoid Man" was actually done in one take! The results spoke for themselves.

Let's take a look at the album track by track:

"21st Century Schizoid Man"

The brilliant tune that made Crimson's name and remains their signature piece, sporting the heavy-to-end-all-heaviest of guitar riffs.The sheer avant-gardeness of the comically fast improvised midsection continues to blow listeners' minds to this day. Robert Fripp's demented free-modal solo remains one of his shining moments as a guitarist.

"I Talk To The Wind"

In the time-honoured KC tradition of contrast, this mellow tune winds down nicely from "Schizoid Man". Multi-instrumentalist Ian McDonald provides some wonderful flute over Greg Lake's excellent vocals and the ever underrated Michael Giles' jazzy percussion.

"Epitaph"

It's not Crimson without a Mellotron-based ballad, and "Epitaph" doesn't disappoint. Fripp's layers of electric riffs and fingerpicked classical guitar work perfectly with McDonald's memorable keyboards.

"Moonchild"

Eerie and nocturnal, this tune introduces yet another mood with its delay-drenched guitar and Tolkienesque lyrics. After the initial song, the band improvises an abstract free-form jam of vibraphone, guitar, and percussion for nearly 10 minutes of mysterious, quirky noise. Not the easiest song to get into but worth the effort.

"The Court of the Crimson King"

This medieval epic scales all manner of choral vocals, trippy synth, and classical melodies. Not to give anything away, but a hint: There's more to this song then you'd think...

Personnel:

Robert Fripp: Guitar
Ian McDonald: Woodwinds, Brass, Mellotron, Keyboards, Vibes, Piano, Vocals
Greg Lake: Vocals, Bass Guitar
Michael Giles: Percussion, Vocals
Peter Sinfield: Words, Illumination

Overall Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

[Badmoon]

Good Job. Except you should rate the songs.


I love this album. It's one of my favorite King Crimson albums let alone one of my favorite albums.

[Jigglypuff]

Nobody else has any comments?

[Kaden]

I love this album. This is one of my favorite King Crimson albums, and my favorite song has to be I Talk To The Wind.

5/5

[OrbDragon]

I love "I Talk To The Wind"....I'm a sucker for soothing brass melodies.

[BirdsOfFires]

Favorite album of all time with the exception of Ornette Coleman's The Shape Of Jazz to Come

Good review, dude.

[Jigglypuff]

Favorite album of all time with the exception of Ornette Coleman's The Shape Of Jazz to Come

Good review, dude.

Thank you very much, BoF. :)

Orbdragon: "I Talk To The Wind" doesn't feature any brass. There are two flute tracks (the flute is a woodwind).

[OrbDragon]

^^^
See that's how dumb I can be...I always considered flutes and clarinets brass instruments too...but now I find they aren't :p

I love the flute solo's anyway...it's beautiful stuff. A perfect song to play come springtime. I also love that ambient noise part in "Moonchild"...it's amazing stuff...Fripp is a genius.

[Neon Dub]

****in great album! 5/5

[CheeseyBread]

I woudl have to say that Epitpah is my fav, but they are all worth it. I really liek In The Wake Of Poseidon too.

[BirdsOfFires]

I'm a 21st Century and Talk To The Wind man myself.

[cytoplasmicglob]

I did an electronica version of the title track on my computer. its at www.soundclick.com/volcanictelephone

[manoulos]

Very good album and excellent review. I think it hasn't grown old decently, so I give it 4/5

[joe_fresh]

brilliant album, the best songs are in the court of the crimson king, 21st schizoid man and epitaph. probably their second best album after red.

excellent review aswell

[Badmoon]

"Epitaph" is my favorite song on the album. It's perfect, it even gives off a great line, "Confusion, will be my epitaph".

[AfroMan]

"Confusion, will be my epitaph".

That's the very line that made Brett Gurewtiz name his label "Epitaph".

Ive never heard King Crimson before but ive been tempted to buy this album for a while now anyway. Are they just the same as Yes and Rush?

[el doctor]

Are they just the same as Yes and Rush?
In some ways yes, but in more ways no. Talent, mind blowing solos, lengthy progressive suits; all similarities. After that though, I'd say King Crimson is very different. It's tough to explain, but they're darker than the other band, and are more "out there".

Awesome album. I could listen to it a thousand times and never get tired of it. 5/5

[Badmoon]

I find King Crimson to be more Progressive, and they're definitley into bigger productions.

[AfroMan]

In some ways yes, but in more ways no. Talent, mind blowing solos, lengthy progressive suits; all similarities. After that though, I'd say King Crimson is very different. It's tough to explain, but they're darker than the other band, and are more "out there".

Awesome album. I could listen to it a thousand times and never get tired of it. 5/5

Im just going to buy the album - im sure I'll be into it:thumb:

[ModestBass]

I bougth this cd not knowing what to expect and I freakin loved every second of it, all of the members have amazing talent, especially Mick Giles.

[ledfloyd_fan]

This album easily makes it into my top 20, I personally prefer Epitaph to I Talk to the Wind, but they are both great. Nice review.

[owlandtree]

Court of the Crimson King is good. I prefer Larks, Tongues, in Aspic.

[clouds_are_cool]

i can see how this album is stated "the first prog-rock" album. its greatness holds up today and it must have seemed like it dropped out've space back in '69. but i like to think of it as it started the prog explosion and not the first prog album. now about the album my personal faves are epitaph and in the court of the crimson king. moon child starts off wonderfully creepy but then they ruin it with 9 minutes of absolute nothing. uugg thankfully it comes out've that with the last song of the album which is my favorate. great review but why didnt you rate the songs?

[Per Ardua Ad Astra]

Nice review, killer album. I love Fripp's guitar work.

[Neon Dub]

Awesome Album.

[The JoZ]

An ex-guitarist of mine was very heavily into this band.

I honestly cant' stand them. It's weird for the sake of weird, and not in a good way.

[pixiesfanyo]

I honestly cant' stand them. It's weird for the sake of weird, and not in a good way.

Yet you listen to Tool. Who have videos and lyrics for the sake of being weird.

[The JoZ]

What can I say, Tool speaks to me better than Crimson does.

Tool is weird for weird too...at least video wise.

Musically? Spot on.

[sounds_of_sanguinity]

Lovely.

[Lumiere]

Amazing album.

[Desert Dweller]

After "21st Century Schiziod Man" i tend to be too wired to listen to the rest of the tracks. If i'm going to i have to listen to the mellow stuff first.

[Manimal]

Skill wise King Crimson would wipe the floor with anything Tool could come up with.

[iceman3019]

the whole album is beautiful . . . just aboslutely beautiful, it's an album that will withstand the test of time . . . a well deserved 5/5 from me . . .

[kas_ofi]

i just bought it and what can i say...it is one of the best prog albums of all time! prog-rock at its best! deafinately 5/5! and to whoever asked: king crimson are very-very differnet from rush and yes.

[The Stormbringer]

Good Job. Except you should rate the songs.
Don't. I hate reviews with ratings for every single song... kinda detracts from the fact that an album is more than a compilation of songs.

Anyway, nice, concise review of one of the cornerstones of Prog Rock. The title track, "Epitaph" and "21st Century Schizoid Man" (the forefather of everything close to Prog Metal) are genius - I hate "Moonchild", though.

For just as much goodness by the King, check out the album "Red" (with the mighty line-up of Fripp, Wetton and Bruford), featuring the super classic "Starless".

[pixiesfanyo]

Moonchild is a great song. Fool.

[Cosine Lawyer]

I was going to buy this anyway. Thank you for reminding me.

[Zappa]

When I first got this album, I hated it and thought King Crimson were totally lame. Somehow, I ended up getting "Red" and "Discipline" anyway, and I love those. So, this wouldn't be my suggestion for your first venture into the world of KC, even if it is their first release. It's just not all that good.

[Cosine Lawyer]

When I first got this album, I hated it and thought King Crimson were totally lame. Somehow, I ended up getting "Red" and "Discipline" anyway, and I love those. So, this wouldn't be my suggestion for your first venture into the world of KC, even if it is their first release. It's just not all that good.
I usually respect your opinion, but after hearing I Talk To The Wind, I've wanted to get this album.

[Woodstock]

This album and Red are by far their best work. But, I think every song on this album is fantastic. Moonchild does seem to drift off out of place, but it still is a good song.

I'd give this album a 5/5.

[Zappa]

I usually respect your opinion, but after hearing I Talk To The Wind, I've wanted to get this album.

By all means, go for it.

[Iskandar]

When I first got this album, I hated it and thought King Crimson were totally lame. Somehow, I ended up getting "Red" and "Discipline" anyway, and I love those. So, this wouldn't be my suggestion for your first venture into the world of KC, even if it is their first release. It's just not all that good.

I think it's very good, but it can't top Discipline.

[Iskandar]

An ex-guitarist of mine was very heavily into this band.

I honestly cant' stand them. It's weird for the sake of weird, and not in a good way.
You do know how much Tool loves King Crimson and was influenced by them, right?

Although in all fairness, they're more into the 80s and 90s Crimson, which is really a different band with a different lineup than on this album.