LIZARD

Fripp, Collins, Haskell and Tippett are back, but there's a new drummer in Andy McCulloch and some guests playing trombone, cornet and aboe.This was a difficult album to get into but it has grown on me just like "Islands" did. I find this such an interesting album to listen to now and applaud Fripp for making something completely different from the first two records. Lots of mellotron and we even get Jon Anderson singing on one track.

The opening song "Cirkus" is my favourite on this album.The intricate guitar playing of Fripp, along with the mellotron and sax all works wondrously. I even like Haskell's reserved vocals on this one. "Indoor Games" features lots of horns and mellotron. Vocals a minute in and some intricate guitar from Fripp. "Happy Family" opens with lots of bottom end.The vocals are interesting in a good way. Check out Tippett on piano. So much going on. Some flute too and the drumming is outstanding. I really like this one. I wonder if the band HAPPY FAMILY took their name from this song ?

"Lady Of The Dancing Water" is a gentle song with warm beautiful flute. Reserved vocals and acoustic guitar as well.The final song "Lizard" is a twenty minute epic that you might call mellotron soaked Jazz. Jon Anderson opens with vocals as piano plays along. It kicks in with vocal melodies then settles again. Sax follows then aboe as bass supports. Haskell comes in vocally after 12 minutes. It kicks back in around 13 1/2 minutes. Mellotron too. Great sound with lots of bottom end. Horns follow. It turns avant before 19 minutes as drums pound. Check out Fripp a minute later as it calms right down.

KING CRIMSON would continue to change styles and be innovative right up to this day.This one's for the adventerous.