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King Crimson - Larks' Tongues in Aspic CD (album) cover

LARKS' TONGUES IN ASPIC

King Crimson

 

Eclectic Prog

4.42 | 3247 ratings

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UMUR
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator
3 stars There is no doubt that the fifth album from King Crimson called Larksī Tongues in Aspic bears witness to a significant change in King Crimsonīs sound. There are more avant garde tendencies and dissonant notes here than on previous albums and the music has become much more heavy with loud bass and Bill Brufordīs brilliant drumming.

The whole lineup has been changed since Islands except for Robert Fripp of course, and I think itīs one of the main reasons for the change in sound. The new blood includes former Yes drummer Bill Bruford, bassist and vocalist John Wetton and violinist David Cross. There are also a percussionist on Larks' Tongues in Aspic called Jamie Muir.

The music is very dark and there are none of the hippie ideals that sometimes occured on the previous albums here on Larks' Tongues in Aspic. The second era of Kind Crimsonīs career begins with this album. This is indeed a very groundbreaking prog rock album but I must say that IMO it lacks some real good song writing. There are way too much noodling and trivial noises throughout the album which is what I would call avant garde. The most significant change in King Crimsonīs sound is the addition of David Cross though as the violin is omnipresent throughout the album which to me is both good and bad news.

Much of Larks' tongues in aspic part one which lasts for 13:36 minutes is made up of those trivial noises and some avant garde violin playing that hurts my ears. When there is some structure in the song itīs really brilliant though. From the moment the heavy guitar part sets in this song is a prog rock classic. The good part only lasts for a very short while out of the 13:36 minutes though and itīs not satisfying to me.

The next two songs Book of Saturdays and Exiles are allright and they serve as an introduction to John Wettonīs voice which I have never liked much. Toneless and flat IMO. Both songs are good without being anything special.

Easy Money is one of the very good songs here and to me this is the second best song here. Itīs a great track with a great solo.

The talking drum on the other hand is the worst track here. Why on earth did they smoke all that weed before mixing this song. The volume control is totally wrong. The song starts so quit that I canīt hear anything unless I turn the volume all the way up. But if I keep the volume there by the end of the song I will blow the roof of my house as the volume is gradually turned up through the song. Besides that problem the song in itself is a useless jam in my ears.

The real gem here is without a doubt Larks' tongues in aspic part two which would be the only song on Larksī Tongues in Aspic that would make it unto a best of King Crimson album if I had to chose. Itīs wonderful dark and heavy with the coolest bassline and great drumming. The guitar riff might well be the worldīs first tech metal riff. This is a masterpiece.

The musicians are outstanding everyone of them and the sound quality is also very good.

This is an album that divides King Crimsonīs fans for sure. Fans of the first four albums sometimes have a hard time with the new sound while others see this as a great renewal and feels Larks' tongues in aspic is a great step forward for the band. Iīm ambivalent as I like the new dark and heavy approach but on the other hand I donīt like the avant garde moments that are too many and fills too much of the albumīs playing time. My personal opinion is that this is only for the fans and that it doesnīt deserve more than 2 stars but I will recognize that significance Larks' tongues in aspic has had on progressive rock and give it 3.

UMUR | 3/5 |

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