LARKS' TONGUES IN ASPIC

Larks Tongues in Aspic is King Crimsons 5th studio album, and perhaps one of their crowning achievements. An album that only gets better with multiple listens, it only grows on me more and more every time I listen.

The album begins with "Larks Tongues in Aspic Part 1" - A haunting, ever-changing 13 minute epic. This track features some of Fripps best guitar playing, with that droning, epic riff. David Crosses violin then slowly builds and builds, finishing into one of the best payoffs in any prog song ever. I consider this track to be the strongest of the album, albeit the rest of the album is still a fucking epic masterpiece.

The second track is "Book of Saturdays" - which flows right from the title track. Its a 2 minute ballad with some nice vocals by Wetton and acoustic (i think) guitar by Fripp. Not much to say here, except that the lyrics are great and its a great way to cool off after LTIA part 1.

the third track is "Exiles" - Perhaps one of KC's trippiest songs. The lyrics regard loneliness and depression (hence the title). This track also features one of Fripps most memorable, heartbreaking guitar solos. Definitely a highlight of the album.

The fourth track is "Easy Money" - I rate this one among my favorite KC songs of all time. The intro is certainly something to write home about, and the song features some very cynical and humorous lyrics and sound effects. Fripp blends his guitar perfectly with this one, and by the time the song reprises in the end, you wish for more because its so good.

The fifth track is "The Talking Drum" - A bizarre, complex instrumental that features some crazy-ass drumming (go figure) from Bruford. This track, along with LTIA part 1 are both classics of the instrumental prog genre. Not much else to say here, just a crazy, bizarre track.

The album finishes with "Larks Tongues in Aspic part 2" - Another instrumental. Fripp leads the band here with some crazy-ass riffing at the beginning, and drives the album off of a fucking cliff for the next 7 minutes. An amazing ending to a near perfect album.

LTIA part 1 = 5/5 Book of Saturdays = 3.7/5 Exiles = 5/5 Easy Money = 5/5 Talking Drum = 4.5/5 LTIA Part 2 = 5/5