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King Crimson - Larks' Tongues in Aspic CD (album) cover

LARKS' TONGUES IN ASPIC

King Crimson

 

Eclectic Prog

4.42 | 3249 ratings

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XzarykStoltz
5 stars Can there be more of a progressive album than this? Methinks it would be difficult to find one after listing to this masterpiece!With this album KING CRIMSON had been reborn again, like a phoenix rising from the ashes, waiting to unleash a maelstrom of sounds courtesy of the bearded maestro Fripp and his all new cast of players.

John Wetton (previously of FAMILY) shines on this album with his rough vocals and pounding bass lines. David Cross brings the violin to a whole new level in rock music, an example being the soft melodic part of LTIA Part 1, where he shows some amazing skills. Ex- YES man Bill Bruford shows that he isn't a slouch either, and in this writers opinion, his best work was done on this, and the two following CRIMSON albums. However, insane drum fiend Jamie Muir steals the show, and in his only appearance on a CRIMSON album, he uses everything but the kitchen sink.....well, he may have even used that! For a perfect example of this madman at work, one should lend an ear to the first title track and Easy Money.

Every track is a standout on this album (there really aren't any weak ones.) The title track (both parts), is where Fripp astonishes with some of the heaviest guitar work ever recorded. Muir also shows why he's totally certifiable, conjuring sounds reminiscent of creaking floorboards at the start of LTIA part I. Easy Money is another personal favorite, beginning with an obnoxious crunchy guitar riff before setteling into a strange type of chant by Wetton. Book of Saturdays shows that Crimson can accomplish alot in a little over two minutes, the highlight being Fripp's backwards tracked guitar. Exiles and Talking Drum are the two tracks that never really grew on me, but they are still worth many listens. Exiles has some glorious mellotron waves splashed over it, and sounds as if it could have been at home on ITWOP. Talking Drum is an ever evolving piece, featuring some furious guitar and violin dueling between Fripp and Cross at its conclusion. LTIA part II is a brash, metal-like piece that is equally as good as part I. The entire band shines on this one, and the song is carried into the outer limits by the sound of what appears to be screeching Larks.

Overall, LTIA is CRIMSON's finest achievement and certainly captures the band at their most daring and experimental stage.

XzarykStoltz | 5/5 |

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