LARKS' TONGUES IN ASPIC

Prog can truly be a terrifying genre at times. If people expect to hear slightly twee folky interludes and the likes, then well, they haven't experienced the whole shebang. For example, this album is one of the few that can scare me shitless without even trying too hard. An absolute classic and probably one of my favourite prog albums of all time. The two main songs "Larks tongue in aspic parts one and two" are frightfully harsh yet sonorous jam-rock tunes powered by some of Robert Fripp's heaviest guitar riffing, David Cross's demented yet passionate violin section, Bill Bruford and James Muir's death defying percussion freestyles and John Wetton's booming and powerful low-end. Obviously these newcomers fit the bill more then adequately for Robert Fripp's new vision of the Crimsoid legions and it shocked many who noticed the upswerve in agression and distortion and the slighter emphasis on the mellotron, whereas in previous incarnations the mellotron was more of a lead instrument, not to say that the other line-ups weren't capable of throwing out a good and hearty hard rock tune. The other songs within have been called fillers which is really a disservice as they are fine songs on their own right. "The book of saturdays" and "Exiles" are wonderfully languid ballads, replete with fine melodies and a fine vocal performance from Mr. Wetton. "Easy Money" is a fine piece of sleazy rock with a wonderful solo from Mr. Fripp. "The Talking Drum" is a fine piece of music in its own right also, showcasing Cross, Wetton, Muir, and Bruford's ability to kick out some fine rythimic music and of course Bob F as always turns out a fine performance. In general a wonderful album, although the sound quality is a slight bit thin here and there. Very recommended.