LARKS TONGUES IN ASPIC, PT. 2

'Larks Tongues In Aspic, Pt. 2' - Dream Theater (Single)

How could you truly match up to a progressive classic like the original 'Larks Tongues In Aspic, Pt. 2' by King Crimson? It's one of the greatest progressive performances and compositions of all time, and while Dream Theater does do a great job of it, there's nothing really here that makes the song their own, as a cover should accomplish. With the other 2009, 'Odyssey' showed the band really letting go and being original within the confines of the cover.

The cover is performed quite agreeably though. The first 45 seconds or so are a real blast to listen to, but after that, it does get a feeling of being a little bit overdrawn; a feeling that was never felt on the original. The cover sounds far too by-the-numbers to evoke any fresh response from me.

I'm not wholly impressed, but it's really cool to hear my favourite band play an early prog classic.

Young Person's Guide to The Pioneer of Heavy Metal...

I am very happy that Dream Theater covers legendary track from legendary classic progressive rock band: King Crimson. This cover of King Crimson's 1973 track is a good example for young persons (fans of Dream Theater are mostly young generation who may not be familiar with King Crimson). By listening to this cover, I hope the young men would be triggered to know better about King Crimson. I am expecting them to start with 'In The Court of The Crimson King' so that they will find an 'aha' experience when listening to '21st Century of Schizoid Man'. Why? Because by listening to Schizoid Man they would be aware that the founding father of heavy metal was actually King Crimson and NOT Black Sabbath nor Deep Purple nor Led Zeppelin (by the time Zepp played blues music). If lately people do not recognize King Crimson as heavy metal band, it's because their music is much into progressive than heavy metal.

'Larks' Tongue in Aspic - Part Two' cover by Dream Theater does not demonstrate any differences from original version by King Crimson in 1973. For sure, Bill Bruford has a distinctive and unique tom sound that no one can emulate. In this case, I am sorry Mr Portnoy, your tom does not sound alike with Mr Bruford. But Dream Theater plays it nicely from start to end. For fans of classic prog rock, I believe they will favor this Dream Theater as an alternative of original version. Keep on proggin' ..! because proggin' is healthy.

Peace on earth and mercy mild - GW

As a fan of early King Crimson, I was interested to see how Dream Theater handled this piece from 1973- an iconic work of prog from an iconic band. I am not truely a fan of Dream Theater, though, having heard only a few of their albums. This remake of "Larks Tongues in Aspic, Pt. 2" is very well done musically, and I can find no fault there. However, it seems to pretty much follow the original song and never captures any new nuances that distinguish it as Dream Theater rather than King Crimson. There is nothing really new or different here then is found on the 1973 version. More of a letter-by-letter copy rather than a true "cover" with a different band's take on an older theme. When I think of good covers I think of "All Along the Watchtower" by Jimi Hendrix, "America" by Yes, or "We've Gotta Get Out of This Place" by Blue Oyster Cult. Each gave a new interpretation to an old classic. Not the case here. But, still, 3 stars for fine musicianship.

Dream Theater's cover of King Crimson's 1973 instrumental Larks Tongues In Aspic, Pt. 2 is the fifth and final cover that the band released in the build up to their tenth album 'Black Clouds & Silver Linings'. This must surely be a delight to prog fans everywhere. Without King Crimson, prog rock probably wouldn't exist as it does today. The North American fivesome (minus LaBrie of course) pay tribute to the pioneers of prog by playing one of their heaviest songs. This dark, complex instrumental is covered superbly by the prog metal masters. Little details are even included, such as hearing a whistle blow at 1:35 and letting the instruments ring for 30 seconds at the end of the song. To be honest, it was tracks like this that predicted the future of heavy metal back in the 70s, and it's amazing to see just how right King Crimson got it.