IN THE COURT OF THE CRIMSON KING

I wish this album were better. "21st Century Schizoid Man," "Epitaph," and the title track are, for the most part, untouchable masterpieces, but "I Talk to the Wind" is such a placid little hippie shithead ballad that it almost makes me angry, and "Moonchild" is the biggest waste of space on any album. Ever. And yeah, I've listened to "Revolution 9." Certainly, this record was influential, and when it's cooking, it's really cooking, but when played all the way through, this thing falls apart. I wish it weren't the case, but I think I have to give this album only four stars. Is it essential? I don't know. What I do know is that YES, GENESIS, JETHRO TULL, PINK FLOYD, RUSH, and EMERSON, LAKE, and PALMER wouldn't sound like they did had it not been for this album, but I'm also not convinced of the essential value this record has in the modern era. My advice? Cut out "Moonchild" and "I Talk to the Wind." Too short now? Then think of it as the world's greatest and most influential EP.