King Crimson First Four Albums Songs Ranked
Everyone loves TCOTCK, but ITWOP would be as good if not for a few things.... Peace a beginning and end, and the terrible Devil's triangle. And some stupid lyrics on Cat food.
Not surprisingly I hate Pigs on a Wing (Part 1) and Pigs on a Wing (Part 2) which do the same thing on Animals (Pink Floyd).
And then the bastard children of the 70's albums - Lizard and Islands. Are they any good? Well, Lizard is in parts. I'd keep Islands away from anyone with clinical depression. |
| 1 | King Crimson
In The Wake Of Poseidon
Its like Godfather II. Yes of course it is just basically Epitaph, but it has a few new inflections. Probably not the best song on the two albums but chronically underrated so I pump it here. 5/5 |
| 2 | I talk to the Wind
Another theft from the Giles, Giles & Fripp collection. Lyrics, mood, beautiful flute solo and Lake at his vocal peak. 5/5 |
| 3 | 21st Century Schizoid Man
And a new genre is born. The intro to the second half is legendary. The vocal effects are ahead of their time. Jazzy freak out. 5/5 |
| 4 | Epitaph
Ok sorry fanboys for not putting this no1. After hearing if for 30 plus years I feel In the Wake.. has a bit more going on. Still 5/5 |
| 5 | Cadence and Cascade
A beautiful ditty which should be even higher if it wasn't that it is just a beautiful ballad and doesn't further the genre. Still 5/5 |
| 6 | The Court of the Crimson King
The wonderful synchronisation of classical and rock. 5/5 |
| 7 | Pictures of A City
Jazzy. This is the "Skitzoid man" of the album. And its every bit as good if obviously derivative of that. 5/5 |
| 8 | Lizard
Oho hear the fanboys cream themselves as Anderson from Yes in a guest appearance. The ultimate prog mash-up. A lot going on here which improves through future listens. 5/5 |
| 9 | Lady of the Dancing Water
A pretty ditty, and sticks in your head, although the vocals sounds a bit sleepy (wake up, Haskell). 5/5 |
| 10 | Islands
You made it to the end of the album Islands! I remember I saw the cover picture on a star trek episode - I guess that is where they got the idea. Anyhow this is the highlight of the album. 4.5/5. Mel Collins is a wonderful player, and here he plays bass flute, amongst other things. |
| 11 | Moonchild
I have no problems with the ten minutes of noodling in the middle, but I wish they had raised the volume on it. Nobody likes cranking the volume for the 10 mins in Moonchild just to get "Court" blasting out your ears later. 4.5/5 |
| 12 | Formentera Lady
Long, but good, and different sections and moods. 4/5 |
| 13 | Cat Food
Awful lyrics, but somehow it works. 4/5 |
| 14 | Peace - A Theme
A lovely ditty by Fripp, even if it was lifted right from the Giles, Giles & Fripp collection. Thankful free of any Lake singing this time. 3.5/5 |
| 15 | Cirkus
First signs of the morphing KC sound which completed in Larks Tongues and Aspic. 3.5/5 |
| 16 | Groon
Jazz fusion is making itself a key part of KC. 3/5. An even better version is the live version of this song. |
| 17 | Indoor Games
A pretty good tune actually, and the sound of Gordon Haskell laughing at Peter Sinfield's ridiculous lyrics he had to sing at the end is awesome. 3/5 |
| 18 | Prelude - Song of the Gulls
Pretty good introduction and if I considered it part of Islands it might raise the rating, but. 3/5 |
| 19 | The Letters
Very dark. Well executed but stay away from it if you are having a bad day. 3/5 |
| 20 | Ladies on the Road
Weird song about prog nerds and their groupies. Boz probably dreaming about starting a rock band. I'm not sure if they lyrics are ironic or just bad. 3/5 |
| 21 | Sailor's Tale
It just keeps going and going. But it's not offensive. 3/5 |
| 22 | Happy Family
I don't like the Beatles. 2/5 |
| 23 | Peace - An End
Improved on the first one only thanks to a beautiful coda. 1/5 |
| 24 | The Devil's Triangle
I love improv. I love long prog. But this is just terrible. 1/5. Touches of Gustav Holst Mars (which was played a lot at the early live shows) |
| 25 | Peace - A Beginning
I didn't know Greg Lake could sound so lame when he was at the height of his powers. 0/5 |
| 26 | Untitled (from Islands)
I know Fripp insisted on this one. I have no idea why. It sucks. 0/5. I don't want to hear the band tuning up unless its a live album. |
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