Released: 1969
Tracks: 21st Century Schizoid Man; I Talk to the Wind; Epitaph; Moonchild; In the Court of the Crimson King
Best track: Schizoid Man or Epitaph, too hard to pick
Track to skip: the improv after the main song part of Moonchild
This is one of those groundbreaking albums that has so much already written about it. Some people see this as good, some see it as bad. In the Court is generally blamed for starting the whole prog rock movement. Some people are full of glee over this (prog dorks) and some (critics usually) see it as the beginning of the worst thing to ever happen in music.
You know, forget both of those groups and make up your mind for yourself on this (but, uh, keep reading my review). I really, really like this. All the songs are excellent and the absolute nerve of these young kids to present music this serious and massive is just astounding. All the players on this (Robert Fripp-guitar, Greg Lake-bass/vocals, Ian McDonald-sax/flute/mellotron, and Michael Giles-drums, with lyrics by Peter Sinfield) are very good, especially considering the standards of rock musicianship in 1969. Seriously, along with Hendrix, the Mothers of Invention, Cream and Led Zep (their first album having come out earlier in the year), King Crimson was in the top group of rock musicians.
About the album though…except for the possible mistake of the improv after Moonchild, it’s pretty near perfect. I understand why they put the improv in, but it’s just too meandering and the band wasn’t versed enough in full improv to have it work the way it should. In the Court was doom before Black Sabbath was, it’s prog before Yes and Genesis, and it combined heavy rock, folk, jazz and classical way before anyone else. All the songs are excellent and powerful. Whether they’re heavy or soft, they’re all great. There’s a reason this album is considered a classic, go get it and find out.
Rating: 95
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