CIRKUS - THE YOUNG PERSONS' GUIDE TO KING CRIMSON LIVE

I got this about 6 months ago, maybe a year, and I've not had it off the stereo really...I've listened to Crimson since I was about 15, but it's always been the early stuff, basically everything up until "Red". I knew the band was a bit more modern sounding now, so I decided to get this as a sort of introduction to it.

The first CD is an absolute corker. Every song is complete genius, every band member is pure talent. The only gripes I have are the slightly cliched lyrics to "Dinosaur". Best song on it is "Indiscipline" (which is the best version I have heard of the song), which gloriously fiddles with beats and rhythms, builds up tension for about minute and half, then bursts into a neurotic headf*ck. The way it is sung reminds me of really good (but disturbing) novels, the actual words are more like a really good short story than they are traditional style lyrics, but since when have Crimson done anything by the book? The guitar solo on this song is also fantastic. You can just picture Fripp sat on his stool, playing this evil solo with all the techniques thrown in, not moving a muscle.

The rest of the songs are equally fantastic, all showing a complete and sincere creativity that no other band has. Not that any other band could play these songs anyway.

The second CD is in comparison a bit of a let-down. The songs are all there, all the late- 60's/70's classics, but the production is sadly lacking on some songs, which really puts me off. To be honest, I've had the first CD on countless times, but the second CD only about twice. It just seems silly to follow that with something of what is really just bootleg quality. This really is worth buying just for the first CD, and it's not too expensive, so there's no excuses. If you are after pre-1980 live stuff though, look elsewhere.