LARKS' TONGUES IN ASPIC

Most of the songs on this album have far better versions, which can be found on the live album The Night Watch. Compared to that album, these versions sound lifeless, and the poor production makes Fripp's guitar sound less powerful.

The only song on this album not on The Night Watch is LTIA Part One. I haven't heard a full live version of this song, buit the studio version is brilliant. It starts out with some very strange and interesting percussion from Muir (who isn't on The Night Watch), and then suddenly builds up with powerful guitars and bass. Fripp shines on this track, proving himself as more than just a supporting member. On this song he proves that he can play the lightning fast solos as good as anybody. Wetton and Cross also get solos to show off their technical ability, and everyone sounds great. The song continues to build up throughout, becoming louder and even more chaotic. The song ends with the same quiet percussion that it started with. Some would consider this "filler noise", but it sounds very brilliant if you listen closely.

The album might be worth buying for the first song alone. Also, this is easier to find than the Night Watch, so if you have no way of hearing that recording, this is the one to get. But considering that there are better versions of most of the songs, this can't be considered an essential purchase.