IN THE COURT OF THE CRIMSON KING

King Crimson

Eclectic Prog

4.64 | 4732 ratings

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jamesbaldwin
Prog Reviewer

In my opinion, this album is one of the best album in the history of rock music (not only of prog).

"21st Century Schizoid Man" is one of the best song of rock music (vote 10). It is avanguarde, jazz and rock; it is improvisation and austerity. It is the voice of Greg Lake, that sound like a nightmare. Neither Genesis, nor Jethro Tull, nor Yes have reached a climax like that.

"I Talk to the Wind" (written by McDonald) is pastoral and it is the best melody of the album (vote 8+). Greg Lake's voice sound like an angel. Losing McDonald since the next Lp, never more King Crimson will be so romantic and tender.

"Epitaph" (vote 9) is the icon of epic. Greg Lake's voice sound like a preacher, like a prophet which howls in the storm (the mellotron). Again: neither Genesis, nor Jethro Tull, nor Yes have reached a climax like that.

In these three songs Greg Lake's performances are beautiful, I guess the best vocal performances you can listen to a KC album. The other singers of the band, Haskell, Boz Burrell and Wetton, are not at the height of Lake, not even close. Belew is the nearest.

"Moonchild" (vote 7+) starts very well, with a very good melody, but the instrumental part, a jazz improvisation, is too long and a little boring. This is the only defect of this masterpiece.

"The Court of the Crimson King" (again McDonald) is another great epic song. His beauty is near to Epitaph (vote 8,5),

A great great album, masterpiece of rock music. Masterpiece of romantic progressive rock. Maybe this album is the baptism of progressive rock. And maybe no prog band or musician has done better than this. Medium quality: 8,6. Vote: 9,5,

Five stars.

jamesbaldwin | 5/5 | 2015-11-28

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