LIZARD

King Crimson has so many different flavors that it is easy to listen to one of their albums and forget who you are listening to. For example, Lizard is very unique and sounds nothing like In the Court of the Crimson King or any of the Wetton albums. Gordon Haskell's short-lived stint as Crimson's vocalist ends with this album. Lizard definitely explores the jazzier side of the Crimson portfolio.

Cirkus is a great opener as it subtly floats in from the borders of conscious hearing. This track is probably my favorite on the album as the rest tend to be of a more experimental nature. Indoor Games and Happy Family are both light-hearted fare as Fripp and his cohorts incorporate some jazz elements into the music.

Lady of the Dancing Water follows and is somewhat forgettable as it sets the stage for the closing epic for which the album is titled. While the Lizard suite is varied and well played, it elicits no emotion from me. In fact, I would go so far as to say that it leaves me cold. I can appreciate the album for its unique style and virtuosity, but it doesn't move me as my favorite music typically does. I much prefer the Wetton era of Crimson as it gets into my skin and really engages my senses.