LARKS' TONGUES IN ASPIC

The first album with the excellent John Wetton on vocals. The line-up now also includes Bill Bruford (drums) and David Cross (violin). Definitely a stronger line-up considering the last two albums.

"Larks' Tongues In Aspic, Part One" (a composition from the whole band) is very experimental - the intro is very boring and then you get all those rhythm changes (mellotron/heavy guitar/violin...). Not the type of music I like from King Crimson. First vocals appear on "Book Of Saturday" - a great soft song with minimal instrumentation (mostly mellotron) than is even better when John plays it with the piano (see "Live in Moscow" from Asia). "Exiles" is another great soft song - once you get over the first minute of experimental noise. "Easy Money" is probably one of the greatest songs from King Crimson - a real rocking/swinging prog song without too much improv. "The Talking Drum" is one of those songs that grows minute by minute - starting with drums then bass then violin/mellotron. "Larks' Tongues In Aspic, Part Two" ends the album on a heavy note - but it sounds too "noisy" and lack a bit of coherence.

Rating: 77/100