Released: 1969
Label: EG
Genre: Rock
Styles: Prog-Rock/Art Rock, Album Rock
Number Of Tracks: 5
is an effort that would never be repeated, it also, unfortunately, established King Crimson as a progressive rock band.
In The Court Of The Crimson King
Reviewed by:
TheLlamaMan, on may 12, 2009 2 of 2 people found this review helpful
Sound: King Crimson's debut album, In the Court of the Crimson King, is probably one of the most influential progressive rock albums out there. The albums sound really varies from song to song, from the blazing fast saxophone solos in "21st Century Schizoid Man" to the free-form improvisation in "Moonchild". Robert Fripp's guitar work is amazing on this album, from simple but powerful parts to support the rest of the song, to intense and speedy parts that are the main focus. Greg Lake's bass playing is also superb. The bass is always heard, and is always moving somewhere and is often complicated, giving the song a sense of direction. On drums, Michael Giles is one of the best out there, able to play incredibly fast and complicated things in strange time signatures that somehow end up sounding great. Finally, Ian McDonald's work on other instruments really adds another level to this album. The serene and beautiful flute solos and the furious sax solos really add another dimension to the music that you don't often find in many bands. My only problem with this albums sound is that the improv in "Moonchild" drags on for too long, and with little happening it tends to bore you fast. Other than that, this album's sound is nearly flawless; every instrument fits in perfectly with all of the others resulting in one powerful and amazing sound. // 10
Lyrics and Singing: Greg Lake's singing is brilliant for most of this album. His voice changes to fit in perfectly with each song on the album. His vocals can be both soft and powerful, and no other singer would better suit this album's mood. Lyrics, by Peter Sinfield, are full of metaphors and deeper meanings than what they first might appear to be, and they flow in perfectly with the mood of the song. Overall, the vocals and lyrics on this album are amazing, and help make the album what it is. // 10
Impression: King Crimson is one of those bands that not many people other than hardcore progressive fans have really heard of, and have never really had much radio time. After you hear this album, you'll be wondering why this is. This is, in my opinion, the greatest progressive album ever made and any fan of the genre who hasn't already heard of it will be kicking themselves for missing out on it. Some of the best tracks on the album for me are "Epitaph", "In the Court of the Crimson King", and "21st Century Schizoid Man". The length of the album is about 45 minutes, but you'll be getting much more from it than that. If you like progressive rock, or just want to check out what could be the greatest album of all time, buy this. Now. // 10
In The Court Of The Crimson King
Reviewed by:
iommi600, on february 28, 2012 1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Sound: First album by progressive rock band King Crimson, released in 1969, and one of the pillars of progressive rock. Well, I honestly think that most of the King Crimson albums are almost perfect and the lineups are very competent, but this one here tends to be my favorite album and lineup. King Crimson consisted of Robert Fripp, Ian McDonald, Greg Lake and Michael Giles. Fripp's playing is just amazing and ahead of its time. This guy has the power to create from beautiful melodies to insane jazz fusion oriented craziness and jams. Ian McDonald is some kind of a "1001 utilities" to the band, playing flute, clarinet, saxophone, vibraphones, keyboards and melotron. Very talented guy. Greg Lake plays very solid, competent bass lines overall. I'll be saving my comments about his vocal performance for the next section of this review. Michael Giles... Well, in my opinion, this guy is one of the most underrated drummers of all time. Highly influenced by jazz fusion, his rhythms are just stunning. Well, enough said. Let's talk about this album.
01. "21st Century Schizoid Man" - This song starts with a 30 seconds silence... Then, brace yourself! Your ears are about to receive an insane dose of jazz fusion. This song actually starkly contrasts from the rest of the album. Heavy guitars, saxophone craziness and insanely fast drumming. Sounds like a jazz band addicted to methamphetamine.
02. "I Talk To The Wind" - This one here is a beautiful ballad, mostly sustained by a very touchy guitar, a flute and a very smooth drumming. Like I've said, really in contrast with the album's insane opening. Oh, and that flute... Just beautiful solos. One of them just ending this great tune. It's kinda simple, and yet so amazing.
03. "Epitaph" - Another beautiful, and very melancholic tune. Entirely lead by a smooth electric guitar, an acoustic guitar and an amazing melotron. It's just impressive how it goes very slight and calm through the verses, then comes the chorus and it's like an atomic bomb. Not to mention the beautiful clarinet solo by Ian here. The guy just went full genius here.
04. "Moonchild" - One of King Crimson's most experimental songs. It starts with an beautiful melody provided by Fripp's guitar. Then, around 2:00 of the song, it stops, and the song fades into some kind of a random jam for 10 minutes, with Fripp and Ian sharing some craziness through guitar notes and vibraphones, while Giles slightly touches his percussions. This song is really criticised even by King Crimson fans, but I honestly find this interesting and enjoyable.
05. "The Court Of The Crimson King" - Ending the album, comes this majestic piece of music. Another melotron-led tune, this also features other instruments like flute and harpsichord. I also love how it goes, just like "Epitaph": soft, then comes the chorus and it's like an explosion. Great way of ending an album, that in my opinion, is one of the best progressive rock albums of all time. // 10
Lyrics and Singing: Lyrics on this album, provided by Peter Sinfield, are pretty varied. "21st Century Schizoid Man" and "Epitaph" makes many kinds of references to things like chaos and the doom of mankind (like in "21st Century Schizoid": "Death seed blind man's greed/Poets' starving children bleed." or in "Epitaph": "The fate of all mankind I see/Is in the hands of fools."), while "I Talk to the Wind" transmits a message of loneliness and disillusion with the world, and "The Court Of The Crimson King" and "Moonchild" are pretty much like tales. But it's worth to remember that these lyrics are really deep and I'm sure there's many other messages in those lyrics. Just free your mind on them if you want. Well, talking about Greg Lake's voice, I find it really awesome. It can go from craziness (like in the opening track) to calm, and even really powerful (good examples are in the choruses of "Epitaph" and "The Court Of The Crimson King"). // 9
Impression: Well, enough said here. A milestone in progressive rock. A musical prime work. I would highlight "The Court Of The Crimson King" and "I Talk To The Wind" here in this album, but honestly, this album is perfect, or at least almost perfect, so I don't think there's a single let down here. A total must have in the collection of any progressive rock fan. I'm really proud of owning this, and I will totally buy it again if I lose it. And if you never listened to it, go do it now! You don't know what you're missing! // 10
In The Court Of The Crimson King
Reviewed by:
Sam2000, on january 04, 2006 1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Sound: King Crimson are perhaps one of the most underated bands there are. They aren't mainstream, and the amount of people out there who would truely love King Crimson but won't admit it because they are embaresed. The sound is odd, same sort of league as Yes. Just incredibly atmospheric, Epitaph in paricular has an introduction which is rarely matched. Robert Fripp is a very talented guitarist. // 9
Lyrics and Singing: Lyrics are simple yet effective. 21st Centuary Skitzoid Man. Each verse has four lines, short lines. But they make a big impact, they flow together. Moonchild is much more different, much longer verses, but still with the same eerieness. The the song itself: In the Court of the Crimson King. Where did those lyrics come from? Any budding song writers out there ought to study these lyrics in depth. // 10
Impression: Wow is all I can say. I was first introduced to Crimson when I was 14 by a guitarist friend of my mums. I am now 15 and my collection has grown. I would have never of heard of them otherwise. You miss out on a lot of good music if you don't have the right contacts. This band deserves a lot more appriciation from the younger generation. Heavy metal has its place but it is all stemed from bands such as King Crimson and Yes. I must say I am impressed. It took me a long time to get hold of any of their CD's but it was worth it. The only problem I have with it is the excess jamming on Moonchild, but the lyrics make up for that. // 10
In The Court Of The Crimson King
Reviewed by:
Misc Debris, on august 19, 2005 0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Sound: The sound of this is album is unmatched. King Crimson are truly one of a kind. The fact that they sound like no else, and don't want to sound like anyone else makes them a very interesting band. The songs are very trippy and songs like I Talk to the Wind and Epitaph are very mellow. I can't even describe the sound it is so good. Their are lots of jams and freak outs that make this album very musician noteworthy. // 10
Lyrics and Singing: The lyrics are very simple yet very effective. Lyrics like in I Talk to the Wind are very thought provoking and catchy. Greg Lake is a very goood singer. His voice is very relaxing and mellow. // 10
Impression: This is by far one of my favorite albums of all time. If anyone says otherwise, they can go to hell! It's just so fresh and so original I don't even know to say about it. Listen to it and you'll understand everything. The only thing that gets to me sometimes is the excess jamming, but it doesn't ruin the record in the least bit. If it were stolen I would kill the person who stole, sell his kidney, and buy a dozen copies. // 10
Who'd be emberrased to admit to liking king crimson? They're the best prog band along with genesis (old genesis)
maybe if u replace genesis with rush or yes then it would be true... not one of my favorite bands but theyre pretty good... pretty wierd but that just makes them better
