King Crimson - Islands
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Category: Progressive Music Lounges
Forum Name: Prog Recommendations/Featured albums
Forum Description: Make or seek recommendations and discuss specific prog albums
URL: http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=71180
Printed Date: August 18 2025 at 00:48
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Topic: King Crimson - Islands
Posted By: Blacksword
Subject: King Crimson - Islands
Date Posted: September 10 2010 at 07:45
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Well, what do YOU think of it..?
It seems this album polarises opinion among KC fans, but I'm absolutely hooked on it. It was a slow grower. I first heard it about 5 yars agao, and only thought to give it another spin about 4 months ago. My initial reaction was one of indifference, but this album is a musical treasure. It may lack some of the raucus agression of Red and LTIA, although I think it's a little more accessable than 'In the wake..' (in my opinion anyway) and more enjoyable than 'Lizard' How do people feel about this album? ------------- Ultimately bored by endless ecstasy! |
Replies:
Posted By: Roj
Date Posted: September 10 2010 at 07:53
This is my favourite KC album, though I appreciate you have to be in the right mood for it. It's so different from the others I know and as I'm certainly not a huge KC fan that's perhaps why. I just love the chilled laidback vibe of the album. A huge  from me.
Also, I just love seeing your Avatar Blacksword
 . Every time I see it I'm tempted to spin that awesome double disc album (sorry for drifting off topic) it's wonderful. |
Posted By: TODDLER
Date Posted: September 10 2010 at 08:03
| Still one of my favorites. The first 4 K.C titles are my favorites and Islands is the most gentle of the 4. There are of course other prog releases revolving around the subject of Islands or the life one lives on an Island. To me personally this is the best of them all. Nothing surpasses it. I still enjoy relaxing on an island with headphones and the music of Islands taking me to the beyond and the ultimate. |
Posted By: ExittheLemming
Date Posted: September 10 2010 at 08:25
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I love The Sailors Tale and Ladies of the Road but the remainder is just stoned hippy nonsense
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Posted By: Steven in Atlanta
Date Posted: September 10 2010 at 09:18
| The Islands album definitely creeps up on ya over the years. And I'm presently quite consumed by it. Islands proves how you can do so much with just a little. In my opinion, latter-day Talk Talk got half their inspiration from this album - Formentera Lady and the title track in particular. I await with much anticipation the upcoming remaster of this baby! |
Posted By: Blacksword
Date Posted: September 10 2010 at 09:33
A few weeks back I posted that Larks tonges was rapidly becoming my top KC, album, but I just keep coming back to Islands. It took me a while to appreciate KC at their most chaotic, but they are masters of the laid back too. The album oozes melancholy. I just love it. Glad you like the avatar!  FSOL are mindblowing. I first heard them in 1991, and I still play Lifeforms regularly. In fact, Fripp popped up on that album too..  so, not really too off topic!  ------------- Ultimately bored by endless ecstasy! |
Roj M30 wrote:Posted By: The Monodrone
Date Posted: September 10 2010 at 09:49
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This is funny, because I just bought Islands yesterday from Amazon... I don't really know what to expect. I've heard a few samples from it, and I really liked them, so I may be pleasantly surprised. -------------  
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Posted By: kole
Date Posted: September 10 2010 at 09:53
| Ladies of the Road is one of my favourite KC tracks. |
Posted By: Triceratopsoil
Date Posted: September 10 2010 at 12:22
| Islands is their best, no question |
Posted By: thellama73
Date Posted: September 10 2010 at 12:26
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It's the only seventies KC album I don't have. I'm waiting for the remaster to come out before I get it.
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Posted By: Vibrationbaby
Date Posted: September 10 2010 at 12:54
Stoned hippy nonsense? I've always seen Islands as prelude to Larks Tongues I'll often listen to them back to back. The Song Of The Gulls / Islands I've always loved. I just checked my AllMusic guide and the reviewer says it' was their absolute worst of the pre Larks/starless/Red era. Just one guy's opinion of course. Myself ,I can listen to the whole thing. Wallace, Burrell and Bozwell were becoming more interested in more traditional jazz, rock, R&B and pulled a mutiny on Fripp in early ,72 and joined Alex Korner in Snape. But we all know this was all for the good of the KC creature because look what came next.  .------------- |
Posted By: Vibrationbaby
Date Posted: September 10 2010 at 13:00
What do you mean? there are sevral. some even come with outakes and unreleased tracks from that line up. Check the DGM website or wikipedia. ------------- |
Posted By: thellama73
Date Posted: September 10 2010 at 13:03
I mean the - new remaster with two discs, a dvd etc. Like they did with ITCOTCK, Lizard and Red. It's due in October. -------------
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Posted By: The Monodrone
Date Posted: September 10 2010 at 13:08
The 30th Anniversary ones are pretty good, though. And a hell of a lot cheaper... but if you have the money... -------------
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Posted By: thellama73
Date Posted: September 10 2010 at 13:12
*shrug* It's only an extra six or seven bucks. I can swing that. -------------
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Posted By: Formentera Lady
Date Posted: September 10 2010 at 13:37
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What do you think I think of the album? Now seriously, I love all of KC from 1969-1974, except for perhaps In the Wake of Poseidon, which IMHO only repeats the themes of ITCOTKC. The others I see all as masterpieces. KC tries something new in every single song of Islands. I think you can feel the spirit of experimentation. If you like Islands check out 21st Century Schizoid Band and their version of Lady Formentera: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-O3SPt_dtn8 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-O3SPt_dtn8 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PYyZH2yPPNM - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PYyZH2yPPN |
Posted By: himtroy
Date Posted: September 10 2010 at 13:55
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It used to be my favorite King Crimson album and is still up there. Along with Lizard it is some of the most unique music I've ever heard. It's a very good example of being very dynamic and building up and releasing tension. I'm very honored that his, my 1000th, post was discussing King Crimson. ------------- Which of you to gain me, tell, will risk uncertain pains of hell? I will not forgive you if you will not take the chance. |
Posted By: Man With Hat
Date Posted: September 10 2010 at 15:14
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I like it, but nothing more. I'd place in the bottom three KC albums, but I'll still give it 3.5 stars. The title track is beautiul, and easily one of my favorite KC tracks. I like Sailor's Tale alot as well. FL is alright. The Letters and Ladies Of The Road are enjoyable but nothing more really. Prelude just is.Admittedly it has grown on me over the years. ------------- Dig me...But don't...Bury me I'm running still, I shall until, one day, I hope that I'll arrive Warning: Listening to jazz excessively can cause a laxative effect. |
Posted By: TODDLER
Date Posted: September 10 2010 at 16:35
| Ladies of the Road ..was like K.C. turns Plastic Ono Band. Boz's vocals on Formentera Lady sound very melodic and maybe more in the vain of Gentle Giant's vocalists when singing a ballad. The title track displays the same vocal style again and Boz proves to be a melodic Progressive rock vocalist. Just stay away from Earthbound for God's sake. |
Posted By: The Quiet One
Date Posted: September 10 2010 at 16:45
| It was the first KC I heard, the first one I loved, and still is my favorite. Enough said. |
Posted By: jammun
Date Posted: September 10 2010 at 22:00
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Yeah, this sucker was weird. A guy grows up with Court, then Poseidon. Then what the hell was that, Lizard.
Then another what the hell was that, Islands. It's a great album. I'd put up the Formentera Lady and Sailor's Tale high up on the list of great Crimson songs. Hey, we always say we want different.
------------- Can you tell me where we're headin'? Lincoln County Road or Armageddon. |
Posted By: Dellinger
Date Posted: September 10 2010 at 22:44
| I think it's got good parts and bad parts. It doesn't have such stellar songs as other albums have, though. I particularly like Formentera Lady / Sailor's Tale, and Prelude: Song of the Gulls. |
Posted By: Guest
Date Posted: September 10 2010 at 23:13
| Beautiful album is Islands. I still play the vinyl every now and then and it always gives me great pleasure. |
Posted By: Chris S
Date Posted: September 10 2010 at 23:41
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One of their top 3-4 albums ------------- ...As I venture through the slipstream, between the viaducts in your dreams...[/COLOR] |
Posted By: Asyte2c00
Date Posted: September 14 2010 at 23:43
| Islands is a great album in my opinion. The title track is one of my favorite songs of all time. |
Posted By: memowakeman
Date Posted: September 15 2010 at 00:13
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Now I was talking to my girl about it...it is her favorite Crimson album. I like it but it is not really my masterpiece. ------------- Follow me on twitter @memowakeman |
Posted By: esky
Date Posted: September 16 2010 at 09:31
| I'm into all things Mel Collins, and that includes Islands. He really shined on the album. And what a coupe to have Keith Tippet on piano and Mark Charig on cornet along for the ride (the latter helping to propel Red a few years later). By the way, is Tippet's Centipede available on CD, anyone? |
Posted By: O666
Date Posted: September 16 2010 at 13:18
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Islands is a great album. Maybe its not comparable to other KC's albums (same era) . If you want to undrestand completely "Islands" you must look to it like "conceptual album" (not concept album). Analysing song by song is a big mistake (IMO). All songs from start to end make mysterious atmospher and each song connect to next song and this procces continue until you reach to "Prelude - Song of the Gulls". Instrumental symphonic " vienian waltz shape" song. WOW. Fantastic trip to far far point of space. Prelude is "the key" of album and this one show the meaning of all songs you listened before.Prelude is "The bridge" of two seperation part of one concept . "Prelude" transfer you to "Islands". Lovely "Islands". Sweet "Islands". When I reach to the last song "Islands" (everytime), Its bring me sorrow. Sorrow for ending. "Islands" reach to the end but I cant move. I cant listen to anything after listening "Islands" for few hours.
"Islands" isn't a musical experience for me. Its like "Dreaming".
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Posted By: Vibrationbaby
Date Posted: September 16 2010 at 14:04
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Posted By: Formentera Lady
Date Posted: September 16 2010 at 16:36
21st Century Schizoid Band: Jakko Jakszyk is the name of the new guy. The others are Michael Giles, Peter Giles, Ian McDonald & Mel Collins. |
Posted By: Triceratopsoil
Date Posted: September 16 2010 at 19:38
| Last time I listened to Islands it sort of struck me that the song order is less than ideal. It goes from IMPALED ON NAILS OF ICE straight into "Please teach me" Well I taught her. |
Posted By: Formentera Lady
Date Posted: September 17 2010 at 07:12
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One can read it as: after his wife is dead, he turned to the ladies of the road... But I have to admit, Peter Sinfield's lyrics were never much comprehensible for me. |
Posted By: Triceratopsoil
Date Posted: September 17 2010 at 12:28
| I love the lyrics, just think Ladies of the Road should have gone elsewhere, or maybe on a different album entirely |
Posted By: Casimir
Date Posted: September 17 2010 at 14:48
| I've given Islands a few listens, but I'm not that wild about it. It's probably my least favorite King Crimson album. |
Posted By: John McIntyre
Date Posted: September 17 2010 at 18:12
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I first heard "Islands" shortly after it came out in1971, and I thought it was a bit patchy. My views on it haven't changed much over the last 40-odd years. "Formentera Lady" (supposedly about Peter Sinfield's memories of a holiday in Spain) drags on a bit, AND I don't think Fripp plays on it - it seems to be dominated by the session players. "Sailors Tale" is an absolute killer track, though there is at least one phrase of it taken from "Formentera.." I saw 21CSB do "Sailors.." in London in October 2003, and it was brilliant! "The Letters" I find a bit......odd. Fripp tries to get 'down 'n' dirty' (in more ways than one) on "Ladies of the Road", which is a bit out of character. "Prelude..." is Fripp's attempt at the "classics". "Islands" is quite good - harmonium AND Mellotron on one track????!
Shortly after "Islands" was released, Fripp was quoted that Sinfield "...wrote some of the most indigestible lyrics in rock..." presaging Sinfield's departure.
"Islands" certainly isn't one of their best - if my memory serves me, the music press of the time said it was rather lightweight, compared to what had gone before. I know what they mean, but "Sailors Tale" makes it all worthwhile - just. ------------- I am one of only about 1,800 people in the world with an original M400 Mellotron! |
Posted By: Anirml
Date Posted: September 17 2010 at 18:25
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Amazing songs on Islands! as an album it fails I think, but all the songs are great! King Crimson always made fantastic, original and unique music. 5 stars for the amazing songs on this album! ------------- 
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Posted By: jammun
Date Posted: September 17 2010 at 23:35
I think we can safely say that it is now more generally appreciated than at the time of it's release  ------------- Can you tell me where we're headin'? Lincoln County Road or Armageddon. |
Posted By: Ruby900
Date Posted: September 24 2010 at 14:57
| Islands is a great album, but as the OP put it is a real slow burner. For me Sailors Tale is the highlight. Everyone talks about Fripp on this song, but when the Melotron comes in that is genius! |
Posted By: Lozlan
Date Posted: September 25 2010 at 17:08
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This album is currently in the process of creeping up on me. I'm a huge Court and Lizard fan, and Wake is decent if not terribly innovative. Haven't gone too deep into their later material, although I did just listen to Red for the first time. Very good, very immediate...whereas I can see myself unwittingly falling in love with Islands over a long decade.
------------- Certified Obscure Prog Fart. http://scottjcouturier.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow - The Loose Palace of Exile - My first novel, The Mask of Tamrel, now available on Amazon and Kindle |
Posted By: Slartibartfast
Date Posted: September 26 2010 at 09:08
I'm running a long random through my collection so it will come up sooner or later. My first encounter was waaay back in the LP era. The cover was completely different from my CD version. I still haven't cataloged my flood survivors that are in storage. It might be amongst them. I like this cover better. Though justifiably overshadowed by the debut album and the Larks' period, still an essential album. ------------- Released date are often when it it impacted you but recorded dates are when it really happened... 
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Posted By: KingCrInuYasha
Date Posted: September 26 2010 at 22:20
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This was one of their more surprising releases. I was looking at other sites and the people who reviewed it considered it mediocre. With the arguable exception of "The Letters", which should have kept the original "Drop In" lyrics IMO, it's one of their finest early period albums. ------------- He looks at this world and wants it all... so he strikes, like Thunderball! |
Posted By: michellemjk
Date Posted: October 10 2010 at 20:32
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Formentera lady always reminds of a traditional folk song of my country. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eakOpAkalAY |
Posted By: thellama73
Date Posted: December 03 2010 at 18:30
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I just got the Steven Wilson remaster today. Having never heard the album before, I can't say how it compares in sound quality (the bass on Formentera Lady seems a bit too loud) but it sounds pretty good to me. As for the album, I love it! Even after only one listen, I think it's really good. There's this sort of melancholy atmosphere to the whole thing that's just great. The bonus tracks don't do too much for me though. -------------
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Posted By: rushaholic
Date Posted: December 03 2010 at 18:59
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^^ Picked up the 40th Anniversary Edition just yesterday and love it. Will have time to play the 5.1 mix tomorrow afternoon. |
Posted By: The Neck Romancer
Date Posted: December 03 2010 at 19:52
The bonus track "A Peacemaking Stint Unrolls" sounds a lot like the fast dissonant section of LTIA Pt. I. Me thinks it's a demo.
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Posted By: thellama73
Date Posted: December 03 2010 at 20:40
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I just listened to the 5.1 mix (I don't have a DVD audio player, so the really nice versions are lost on me) and it's very nice. Song of the Gulls benefits in particular. After the second listen, I think Islands may be quickly becoming one of my favorite KC albums.
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Posted By: TODDLER
Date Posted: December 03 2010 at 22:08
Yes it is. It's on the BGO label. This is a strange little project in which Fripp sat in the booth the entire session and played not one note. Sections of it remind me of Lizard but more bizzare.
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Posted By: TODDLER
Date Posted: December 03 2010 at 22:11
This cover is the better of the two. I was disappointed that it wasn't used for the cd release.
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Posted By: WalterDigsTunes
Date Posted: December 03 2010 at 22:17
| I just ordered the CD/DVD remaster. I'm getting it for the bonus tracks and to replace my poor-sounding "Definitive Edition." I don't give a hoot about the whole 5.1 junk, and I'm more than a bit pissed off about having to listen to music off a DVD. |
Posted By: Zombywoof
Date Posted: December 05 2010 at 02:16
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It's actually my favorite Crimson album. It's such an intense, yet calm and mellow album. Very brilliant. Can anyone who has heard the 5.1 tell me if it's worth getting if I already have the 30th Anniversary? I was rather disappointed with the changes Fripp made on Lizard. ------------- Continue the prog discussion here: http://zombyprog.proboards.com/index.cgi ... |
Posted By: Mystery
Date Posted: December 05 2010 at 17:19
| It's okay, but KC made better. It's still not their worst, though. |
Posted By: jean-marie
Date Posted: December 05 2010 at 18:19
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My favourite one with IN THE COURT and LARK'S this album is incredible, it took a few spins but i felt in love with ,whatever looking at reviews it seems one loves it or one hates it
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Posted By: Peter
Date Posted: December 05 2010 at 18:59
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I like it quite a bit, and have done so since soon after I bought it back in the 70s. Initially I was a bit disappointed, and the teenaged me preferred the (perhaps predictable) heavier Sailor's Tale & Ladies of the Road, but the dreamy title track soon became my fave -- I think it's lovely.
A fine album, where Fripp was really taking risks and pushing the boundaries of "rock" music. A good album for headphones & eyes closed, as others have noted. ------------- "And, has thou slain the Jabberwock? Come to my arms, my beamish boy! O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!' He chortled in his joy. |
Posted By: Intruder
Date Posted: December 05 2010 at 19:32
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It's surprising how many rate Islands as the top Crimson album....I've always had to defend it when Crimso fans trashed it. It's my absolute favorite Crimson album; I can't understand why Fripp dismisses it. I've heard that he felt the musicians assembled just weren't up to what he wrote....apparently Fripp had to teach Boz the bass as they went along. I second what Peter and a few others have stated above - Fripp definitely went Bartok on us! ------------- I like to feel the suspense when you're certain you know I am there..... |
Posted By: TODDLER
Date Posted: December 06 2010 at 00:12
It's off thread I'm sure....but, I wished I knew what those changes were. I have the box set of ITCOTCK but that's basically it. What's up with Lizard?
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Posted By: b4usleep
Date Posted: December 06 2010 at 02:47
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Great Album
------------- Really don't mind if you sit this one out. My words but a whisper, your deafness a shout. |
Posted By: WalterDigsTunes
Date Posted: December 13 2010 at 19:10
| Currently finishing the 2010 remix. Its nothing to write home about. A wind instrument is replaced at point during the title track (Wilson claims the original tape was faulty, so they used another take of this bit). I'm none too thrilled. Also, to my eternal displeasure, an atrocious high-pitched noise pollutes the last half of this closing number. The same sound was on my old edition; I was hoping it was a defect from the original CD, but nope, its part of the master tape. Ugh. It really kills the beauty of that precious track. |
Posted By: thellama73
Date Posted: December 14 2010 at 17:11
I only listened to the 30th anniversary mix once (as it's included on the new version as well) and the 5.1 sounded a lot clearer and brighter to my ears. The 30th anniversary mix sounded rather flat and dull in comparison. I am no audiophile though, so I am probably not the best person to ask. -------------
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