LARKS' TONGUES IN ASPIC

After three good records, but which did not reach the level of the band's debut, King Crimson finally conceived a new masterpiece with Larks' Tongues in Aspic. This is possibly Crimson's most experimental album, largely due to the unpredictable percussionist Jamie Muir, but also to the new members John Wetton (bass and vocals) and Bill Bruford (drums), who start here the "flying brick wall" that will reach its apex a year and a half later, in Red. The record starts with the first part of the title track. After 2 minutes of a low-volume and ludic percussion, the violin enters slowly (with an instantly classic riff), then a heavily distorted guitar appears, then the drums start rolling and ... boom, a furious explosion! It is perhaps one of the most radical cases of sound dynamics I have ever heard on an album. The final half of the track still has some surprises, and the ending is apotheotic. "Book of Saturday" is a beautiful acoustic song, with beautiful vocals from Wetton. "Exiles" has an enchanting melody, and David Cross's violin stands out. "Easy Money" is an iconic track, be it for its striking riff, sarcastic lyrics or for the 5 minutes of gloomy improvisation between the second and third choruses - in fact, this middle part used to be extensively stretched live (e.g., the 4 different versions compiled in The Great Deceiver box). "The Talking Drum" creates a macabre atmosphere in its first minutes, and in the final stretch it gains strength and speed, until it ends as an orgasm ... ... after which the second part of the title track starts immediately. Composed by Fripp, in fact his guitar is the highlight here; Fierce and addictive, "Larks' Tongues in Aspic, Part Two" is one of King Crimson's greatest tracks, and also one of the rare songs in the band's repertoire that remained on the setlist of all subsequent formations. Perhaps Larks' Tongues in Aspic ​​is not the best album to introduce KC to anyone, but for those who are already used to the sometimes sudden oscillation between delicate and aggressive moments of the 1972-74 lineup, Larks can be truly appreciated as one of the highlights of their discography.