IN THE COURT OF THE CRIMSON KING

Despite the three star rating, I wouldn't call In The Court of the Crimson King overrated. I can understand why people find it so enticing. After all, it is endlessly referred to as the album that gave us the "birth of prog". Full of great music and original ideas, it gives the listener an entertaining experience, at least the first time around. But that's where it fails. Once you've heard the good parts, you just want to skip over the bad ones.

No question all five songs that make up the album contain quality music. "21st Century Schizoid Man" and "The Court of the Crimson King" are absolute masterpieces that hold up with the best KC has ever done. The opening track is a psychedelic journey of heavy drumming and distorted noise, that still manages to maintain a cohesive melody. It's loud enough to almost be considered the "birth of prog metal". "The Court" is an equally wild ride, containing more changes in tempo, but all done in a way to hold the listener's interest. "Epitaph" is the most emotionally compelling song on the album, with some of Greg Lake's finest vocal work to date.

"I Talk to the Wind" is a nice, quiet song, but has the unfortunate task of following "Schizoid Man". It kills the excitement that was built in the previous song. If you're not careful, it could put you to sleep. Listening to "Moonchild", on the other hand, is enough to induce a coma. The first three minutes of actual music are decent, but the nearly ten minutes of sound effects that follow quickly become tedious.

In The Court of the Crimson King is unique for its time, and that alone might solidify its legacy. But once the novelty wears off, only 3/5ths of the album is a masterpiece.