IN THE COURT OF THE CRIMSON KING

In terms of its influence on others, this is a very significant album. Most notably Genesis were influenced and directed by its content, and this showed in some of their work on their early album "Trespass" (listen to their track "The knife").

This album contains one of the most unique and powerful songs to grace the prog rock world in "21st century schizoid man" - vocals angrily shouted in a distorted manner, and the most disturbing sounds you are ever likely to hear from a saxophone - but it all works brilliantly to convey its message.

The album features notable musicians, but all are eclipsed by the eccentric, wildly imaginative and totally unique Robert Fripp. Yet for all this, the truth is that apart from the title track and "21st Century." this is a lightweight album of little substance.

"In the court of the Crimson King", the title track displays a symphonic majesty rarely heard of at the time. This sound was however to be heard more commonly when other groups such as genesis started to be influenced by this style.

The piece that does the most damage to this album is "Moonchild". The opening two minutes or so of this piece starts out as a beautifully crafted dream like ballad - but then it transcends into 10 minutes or so of barely audible chimes and taps on the drum. No doubt in its day it was though of as a cool track to meditate to, but in reality it is an abysmal, empty track filler.

The other tracks in the album fare better, but compared against the later works of King Crimson are fairly forgettable.

Nevertheless, because of the significance on the influencing of many other bands, and the quality of the two above mentioned tracks, this album deserves 3 (and a half) stars.