IN THE COURT OF THE CRIMSON KING

In the Court of the Crimson King is the seminal album of progressive rock. Its originality during its time was unparalleled. As the progenitor of progressive rock, this album laid out the characteristics of the genre. While not quite a concept album, In the Court of the Crimson King has many themes shared by its songs, such as disillusionment with society. It is the first album that got me started on progressive rock, simply because I had heard nothing like it before and I thought it was extremely interesting.

The album starts out with the heavy, distorted guitars of "XXII Century Schizoid Man." In this song, the angry lyrics criticize war and materialism. The musicianship of the band is incredible. The screeching saxophones and driving drums start the album a frenzied pace, only to be followed by the solemn and melancholy vocals of Greg Lake in "I Talk to the Wind." This transitions into a song with the same themes, Epitaph. "Moonchild" is an odd piece, starting out normally but closing with a strange soundscape of improvised sound which is about nine minutes long. The album closes the most well known song in the album and the title track, In the Court of the Crimson King. This song is probably the most well balanced and catchy song in the album. Its fantastic lyrics explode every time the chorus comes and Greg Lake sings "In the court of the crimson kiiiiiiiiiiiiiinnnnnnnnggg aaaaaahhh."

If you want an introduction to progressive rock, this album is it.