LARKS' TONGUES IN ASPIC

I got this album about one year ago. All this time, I've been ignoring it; mostly due to the first song's soft start and the lack of metal-like power in the remaining tracks. I'm a metal guy, and have this bad habit of skipping tracks after 30 seconds of listening... How I regret it!!!

Lately, I found Bruford's jazz projects and enjoyed them a lot, so much that it compelled me to look for Bruford's influence in King Crimson's albums. Soon, I came across Larks' Tongues in Aspic (Yum-yum!), and left it playing. Oh, my...

The first song, Larks' Tongues in aspic, starts with a nostalgic blend of sweet sounds, forming up a mellow melody. Then comes the thrill I'm looking for-- suspense: Fripp's guitar lets you guess powerful rhythms through an extremely dark introduction. Soon, Bruford rolls in and... AW!!! THE POWER! Not for long, though. They steal the power away from your hears, and leave you again on suspense. You know that it's coming back. You wait desperately for 40 seconds until it blows your hears once again. It does. Then, the true message of this song comes at last. The guitar is dread, the bass talks, and, all around, drums hit in chaotic discussion -- a percussion feast. I cannot describe it because of my lack of musical sense, but deep inside I beheld insanity at its best. However, it won't last enough to bore you. No, no! Until the end, you'll be visited by mature experimentations of musical emotions. They shift graciously, leaving the listener pleased and waiting for more... More suspense! The thrill is up again, yet carrying a few surprises. Behind it, radio-like speeches (or chats) fill the atmosphere. As it blows up once again, you're hit by novelty: now, it's the bass leading the emotional pathway to the graceful end, through whispers and a sweet melody, progressively meeting the nostalgic sounds that make up the relaxation. Objectively, I can describe this song as a multiple-orgasms sex experience, without need for cigarettes. The end is just LOVE.

I won't describe the remaining songs, there's no need for that. Most reviews here have already made enough description on this album's potential. It's not just an excellent addition to anyone's collection. If one must truly understand the variety, power, emotion, graciousness and thrill of progressive music, one must have this album. It's essential.

It's been said that this album's recording quality isn't the best, and the live versions of the songs are quite better. That's all I needed to read to go out and look for live albums. You see, if you can bring so much musicality on studio, imagine on stage!

Ah... I'm utterly addicted to King Crimson. Eh, eh; Opeth and Cynic will have to wait!

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