IN THE COURT OF THE CRIMSON KING

In the Court of the Crimson King. The album that inspired.... well... everybody. I could ramble on about how great it is but I'll keep it short. This album has a real ethereal and nostalgic feel to it that Isn't replicated by many, if any, other albums. This album just covered ground that nobody had even come close to touching before. The use of the mellotron as a lead instrument has become an absolute staple of progressive music that has been imitated countless times.

"21st Century Schizoid Man" opens the album in an intense proto-metal showcase of the skill of each member. Following this is the calm otherworldly symphonic "I Talk to the Wind." My favorite track lies in the emotionally intense "Epitaph" with its brilliant buildup to a grand climax. Moonchild is another calm, atmospheric track and yes, I love the improv section. Closing things off is the massive, epic title track with its wall of sound chorus that just smacks you in the face. The reprise at the end is just absurdly brilliant.

This is among a small handful of albums I can safely call, 10/10.