lizard (king crimson)
Printed From: Progarchives.com
Category: Progressive Music Lounges
Forum Name: Prog Recommendations/Featured albums
Forum Description: Make or seek recommendations and discuss specific prog albums
URL: http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=117876
Printed Date: August 13 2025 at 20:44
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Topic: lizard (king crimson)
Posted By: grantman
Subject: lizard (king crimson)
Date Posted: November 29 2018 at 16:46
| I am reaching out to kc fans rather than me review ,i had lizard on cassette tape many moons ago never got into it except for happy families i know there is new remasters of lizard and tempted to go back and purchase a copy ,if there is new of cleaned up in the way sound or production ,sorry i also enjoyed jon andersons vocals on one of the tracks, but then again i always enjoyed jons vocals thanks for any feedback |
Replies:
Posted By: Blacksword
Date Posted: November 30 2018 at 03:13
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I only have an early 2000's CD release. Never had a problem with the production. It's a bit of an odd album, that seems to divide opinion, bt I've always liked it. I prefer it to Starless & Bible Black, and some of the post Red albums. Cirkus is a fantastic song, and a god live number. The Lizard suite is also great. It's definitelt worth another few spins if you've not heard it in years. Give it a chance. It can be a slow grower. The singer Gordon Haskel thought it was awful, apparently. ------------- Ultimately bored by endless ecstasy! |
Posted By: Saperlipopette!
Date Posted: November 30 2018 at 03:19
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Gotta say I thought the Lizard reamaster was well worth it. I always loved the album though, but listening to the title track in particular felt like a whole new listening experience. I hear so much going on there now that I really never noticed before - or perhaps it wasn't there. I guess Happy Family was always my least favorite part though while Circus was instant love and probably my favorite song there for a short while in my late teens. |
Posted By: Chaser
Date Posted: November 30 2018 at 03:39
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Like Blacksword I only have it on an old CD and not a new remastered version. I regard it as a "need to own" album for KC fans, but not one of their four masterpieces (Red / Larks / ITCOTKC / Discipline) It was great hearing them perform an extended medley from Lizard on the recent tour and reminded me how good parts of this album are. I would definitely get yourself a new remastered version. ------------- Songs cast a light on you |
Posted By: SteveG
Date Posted: November 30 2018 at 03:57
Any of the "Anniversary" reissues sound great! A great album by the way! Eclectic, weird and jazzy at times. I love it!  ------------- This message was brought to you by a proud supporter of the Deep State. |
Posted By: Lewian
Date Posted: November 30 2018 at 05:31
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Can't comment on the remaster, but I can say that I got into Lizard quite late; I started being interested in KC as a teenager but at the time I only gave it a superficial spin and couldn't appreciate it, same with Islands, and still not in my twenties. Now I think it is very inventive and colourful and there's lots to discover on it. I think I found it too soft when I was younger (and maybe I didn't give it enough attention), the melodies somehow passed me by and I didn't like Haskell's voice, but now I think that it all works well if I listen to it on its own terms. I was delighted to hear Circus and parts of the Lizard suite on their recent tour. I'm very curious how it was perceived when it came out. Does anybody know something about that? Would it be just one more album lost in a sea of interesting progressive stuff that came out at the time or was it already then celebrated for its subtle beauty and playfulness? |
Posted By: SteveG
Date Posted: November 30 2018 at 06:19
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^ Well... it definitely didn't go over well with many prog heads at time of it's release. And that includes many who loved In The Court of The Crimson King! Personally, I didn't even own a copy of the album until late in the 80s! Someone gave it to me. But like most prog from that era, it grew on me. Same with Islands.
------------- This message was brought to you by a proud supporter of the Deep State. |
Posted By: Snicolette
Date Posted: November 30 2018 at 08:14
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That is why I say it doesn't hurt to revisit something that you didn't find to your liking at one time. Tastes can change with time, if you have open ears, anyway. Or not, sometimes. And that's OK too. ------------- "Into every rain, a little life must fall." ~Tom Rapp |
Posted By: Meltdowner
Date Posted: November 30 2018 at 08:54
| It's my favourite KC album, I agree with many faults that some point out but they only make the album more emotionally appealing to me. |
Posted By: dr wu23
Date Posted: November 30 2018 at 13:55
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Great album......not sure where it fits into my KC lineup....but still it's a winner. ------------- One does nothing yet nothing is left undone. Haquin |
Posted By: Fischman
Date Posted: November 30 2018 at 14:02
| I never had the vinyl or early CD, only the remaster, so that is my only ongoing experience with it. I am more than satisfied with that. |
Posted By: Sean Trane
Date Posted: November 30 2018 at 14:21
my fave as well (though it was hardly immediate), though not perfect weaker points: Dancing Waters and Big Top
|
Meltdowner wrote:Posted By: The.Crimson.King
Date Posted: November 30 2018 at 18:09
2nd Crimson album I ever bought back when I was 17. Loved Cirkus straight away, the rest was this odd mix of stuff I didn't know what in the world to make of. Took years to really appreciate...nowadays I'd say it's my 2nd most listened to Crimson album  ------------- https://wytchcrypt.wixsite.com/mutiny-in-jonestown" rel="nofollow - Mutiny in Jonestown : Progressive Rock Since 1987 |
Posted By: Dellinger
Date Posted: November 30 2018 at 21:28
| For me, this album is all about the "Prince Ruppert Awakes / Bolero" combo. |
Posted By: kenethlevine
Date Posted: November 30 2018 at 23:22
| highs and lows for me. Highest - Cirkus (one of the best KC songs ever), Prince Rupert Awakes, Bolero. Lows - the godawful Happy Family. Indoor Games and Lady of the Dancing Water are both pretty good. |
Posted By: Rednight
Date Posted: December 01 2018 at 11:03
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A station of the Cross! ------------- "It just has none of the qualities of your work that I find interesting. Abandon [?] it." - Eno |
Posted By: Squonk19
Date Posted: December 01 2018 at 11:24
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I do like large sections of the album and it has grown on me more over the years, but it does trail somewhat behind others in the King Crimson canon. Still worthy of revisiting from time to time, though. ------------- “Living in their pools, they soon forget about the sea.” |
Posted By: questionsneverknown
Date Posted: December 01 2018 at 12:37
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Love, love, love Lizard. First 'owned' it on cassette, taped off my brother's original LP. Bought it again on the first CD release. I would certainly recommend the 2009 remaster, or, if you are willing to shell out the dollars or pounds, you can get it on Blu-Ray on the Sailor's Tales box set with many, many extra little features. It sounds glorious on remastered CD, 5.1 DVD and Blu-Ray. ------------- The damage that we do is just so powerfully strong we call it love The damage that we do just goes on and on and on but not long enough. --Robyn Hitchcock |