Reviews (page 3 of 8)
Wandering prog rock
Prof Rick champs reign supreme
What? Some parts I'd listen to again. Other parts I can do without.
my penis fell off like 4 times 4.5/5
Prog silliness, then atonal bollocks, then something beautiful but doesn't go anywhere. I didn't enjoy it, but it has great moments
It was pretty good. A lot of the songs went on for way too long, but overall it was pretty good. Overall, I would give this album a 3.8/5!
Reminds me of Zappa. People like this sort of thing in the same way they like jazz.
Like the current incumbent of the White House this album has no redeeming qualities whatsoever. This is the first album of the 800+ I've listened to I would give a zero to if possible. Proper spoiled my Easter weekend.
Surprisingly unremarkable. Not even worth my standard second listen. I'm surprised by how unmemorable I found the album given this band's importance and progression in music history. If 2.5 were an allowable rating, that's my honest opinion--neither bad nor good. It's just meh.
Prog rock is altijd die killing combo van vermoeiend geavanceerde composities waar ook nog eens geen eind aan lijkt te komen. Bij muziek die minder goed aanslaat kijk ik altijd wel aardig snel hoelang ik nog moet, maar bij albums als deze doe je dat al tijdens de 7e passage van het eerste nummer. Geen pretje. 4,5/10
Again, another fine album from this band. Not usually my style, but once again they manage to get me to enjoy it more than most
split between fantastic and a little boring
Bizarre album name, but this was really interesting. Some pretty wild jams. I hear a lot of Dream Theater on LTIA pt II. Can definitely see that this influenced them.
Nice music but missing something for me
OMG. This was too much.
Ill have to give this anothee try, to see if it'll click for me, but at this time, this is 67 minutes of random noice to me.
My first full King Crimson album. Not entirely my speed, but parts really do go hard.
Tive uma fase em que ouvia muito estas coisas de prog rock, agora já não gosto tanto. Tinha partes fixes mas em geral senti muito que a musica estava a dar um passeio em vez de ir direta ao assunto. E também tem muitas partes que são quase silêncio. Mas também me lembro que havia outros discos de king crimson que gostava mais. Por agora dou a este um 3 pequeno
Boa banda sonora, fez o dia parecer uma cena com tensão e adrelina de uma série de culto
4 pode ser um pouquinho alto, mas justifica para não estar misturado com os 3 todos, é mais interessante que isso. Acho que vai ser daqueles que vou ouvir mais vezes depois disto
Thought one of the last out takes was the best cut. Not my bag , super avant gard or experimental to my ears
King Crimson! Listened to while walking along the quais de Seine (côté Hôtel de Ville). Great vibes, ended at the end of Ile Saint Louis. Book of Saturday and Exiles were highlights.
Just noodlin around. Rating: 1.2
This is fucking weird man. lol the first track is over 13 min long. And kinda trippy. Sounds are all over the place. I wonder if all the album is like this. How did this make it on the list man. It's too weird for me man. 1 star
Tried to get into King Crimson so many times. Just can’t hear what people love
I really don’t know what to make of this one. Which they would probably appreciate. I kind of hate it yet also like it. The percussion and violin are particularly appealing. There are lots of good moments here, it reminds of something classical and ot should be an incohesive mishmash but somehow it all comes together. Not sure I will ever listen again though
prog é muito bom mesmo.
Franchement album incroyable. Vraiment, plus ça avance plus j'aime King Crimson, et là j'ai trouvé l'album vraiment excellent. Le tout était bien plus agressif que "In the Court Of the Crimson King" avec des guitares électriques plus compressés rappelant "21st century Schizoid man", mais beaucoup plus présente sur l'entièreté de l'album comme sur "Lark's Tongue in Aspic part I" qui vient contrasté du violon plus lent et méditatif. En résumé, je trouve que l'album alterne de manière très intelligente les parties très calmes avec des explosions très marqués, ce qui est très agréable.
4.0
Strange album, even after a second listen. Certainly a lot of musicianship involved.
Listened to this on a Friday, and by Monday had already forgotten about it.
A lot of musical rambling and nothingness except within that rambling nothingness, it sounds mystifying, compelling, and well-produced, at the least There are dull moments but enough of the album feels like an adventure, and for being from 1973 it's pretty good at stupefying time itself
Honestly to me this is just random noise in different orders and I’m not getting any enjoyment out of it, found it sorta irritating
King Crimson is the best. I can’t think of a popular musician that has a more pure artistic vision than Robert Fripp. He is completely uncompromising in his ethics. Curiously, he is the only member to survive all iterations, but insisted on musical democracy. I’ve always been unclear about their obsession with Larks’ Tongue in Aspic. I’m sure it was delicious to Kings of the past. Anyway, you should listen to more King Crimson. It’s soul feeding music.
just dragged on a lot at the same sort of pace and dynamic
Un descubrimiento. Me encantó! Lo volvería a escuchar sin dudas
Not a prog fan.
I already know I love King Crimson. While this isn’t my favorite album of theirs, I appreciate its experimental nature. I think the experiment was a success, there is an outline of a style that would be done better later.
Just noise to me
yeah this is a no from me. First song felt like just a collection of sounds. The vibes are all over the place in this album
Rv
straight up no for me i couldnt get past the 1st song
A little too all over the place for me. Lots of tonal shifting and doesn't end up meshing for me.
Good
3/10
Maybe if I was on acid...
Not one I’ll be Re-listening too often but I want to check out their other albums
I honestly think prog as a whole is pretentious but I liked this more than I thought I would
Did I enjoy that more than the other King Crimson album? I think I did. A whole point more? No.
Interesting. Maybe a relisten at some point, but a bit out there.
The musical equivalent of huffing your own farts.
Decent album. Slow, but enjoyable. 3.5/5
I was almost ready to 4* this. much of the album, I could imagine listening during a variety of activities and having fun. some of the tracks got annoying sounding and a bit far out there
There’s prog rock and then there is very prog rock…. This was like ELP (Emerson Lake and Palmer for the uninitiated) turned up to 11. I like jazz but not the arrhythmic jam session type. This very much reminded me of that. I understand it is key album in the overall prog movement, but not my cup of tea.
Not sure I've ever heard a circular saw used as an instrument before. Oh wait, Sonic Youth. I would describe this album as Cosmic rock. Very spacey and experimental. The recording is great and the performance is well done. There is a lot more bass than I would have thought for this era of music. Would I buy the album, no but I'm glad to have heard it!
This was excellent. Feel like you have to listen to it with headphones. It was like a really bad trip but in a good way.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3j2Pb0YwVH8
What a total and utter waste of everyone's time this album is. If I never have to listen to prog rock noodling again, I can die happy. I don't even know if it was that bad, but it was intensely irritating. The songs that had vocals were marginally better I suppose. The instrumentals can do one forever.
I'm astonished to find myself appreciating anything that can be classed as prog rock. It's one of my least favourite genres. However, my favourite tracks on this album are the instrumental tracks and the tracks that are gentle and highly creative. The range of percussion sounds work really well with the string instruments. Heavy guitar sounds much less good but perhaps I have to forgive the moments their sound is 70s prog rock cliché because this is after all a 1970s album.
The further I got into this album, the more I enjoyed it. The vocals were largely unimpressive, and I wasn't a fan of the aimless improvisation and strange soundbites scattered throughout. But, when the music was allowed to be the actual centre point, I thought it be some enjoyable prog rock. I might appreciate this more upon a second listen, but I don’t find myself wanting to jump back in immediately.
This is just not for me!
EPIC!!!
My music taste isn't refined enough to recognize the value of whistles etc.
1. tonguez - 2 2. zaturday - 1 3. ezilez - 1 4. money - 1 5. drum - 1 6. azpic - 1
Yeah... That was an interesting album. There were times I really liked they groove but other times... just tough to listen to.
It's alright, but far from their best.
Grew on me as it went. The first track was so avant guard art rock that I was preparing my ears for a Can record. Then the prog rock kicked in. Some of the instrumentation choices were so bizarre that I couldn’t tell if they were taking the piss or were deathly serious. I immediately went to listen to other King Crimson records. Leaning toward “deathly serious” but I think I’m a fan?
Unhinged! Insanity distilled into song
Soooooo boring
You thought Pink Floyd were good at wasting time with nonsensical riffs and boring progressions? Well you haven't listened to this King Crimson LP! There are some really nice rock parts and great orchestration hidden behind the extended periods of prog-fuckery. Sure, this was probably insane hearing in 1973 but in the modern times (and compared to bands like Pink Floyd and Yes), King Crimson sounds uninspired. I did not enjoy a majority of this album however the fleeting moments that made my bob my head give this an extra star. Favourite tracks: that one guitar part in the title track (part 1), and a bit of Easy Money 2/5
cool
норм, вайбово, но иногда однообразно, типо джем, в альбоме такое не катит особо.
I normally prefer vocals to instrumentals, but boy are the vocal effects irritating here. Some songs go on too long obviously, but Talking Drum in particular is haunting and I cannot deny the flair and virtuosity.
I went through a bit of a king crimson phase a couple months ago but i never got to this album. There's a reason why some of their albums and others not so much. That being said I do think this album was quite good fun to listen to and good study music. Got me through maths
This had no real substance to it. I got so annoyed because the build ups to the beat drops were so long and then when the beat actually did drop, it was only good for 30 seconds max and then descended into chaos. There were good bits in here, but I think it says a lot theat my favourite song was the shortest one by miles...
If the instruments are going to be this unentertaining, I think we need some more words. Wasn't a fan of the random noises: a fly buzzing in my ear with some wind for 3 minutes and just random boings and yoinks.
The violin is cool but the rest sounds like someone's learnt what an instrument is and is just going full ham. Not really my thing
4 out of 5. Solid arrangements here.
I need to give this more time...
Starts out great and then becomes a bit too Prog Rock for me. I loved the other King Crimson album on the list though, so I had high hopes for this one. Good, but not great. Still a solid 3.5.
3.5, cool shit
2.99 on this website..... Lol..... I'm (pleasantly) surprised this one is in the book instead of Red to represent this period of King Crimson as I always thought that was the big one. And maybe it still is. The title tracks on this are mind-blowing and honestly would be fairly mind-blowing if they came out today but in 1973 I don't know how it's even possible. black midi must love this one. And you know what, so do I. Every track on this is perfect, both the improvisation-heavy ones and the more melodic / "pretty" stuff. I'm also surprised Discipline isn't in here. That one is heavily reminiscent of Remain in Light-era Talking Heads so if you guys are curious to hear that..... Check it.... It's real good.
2.5 stars I generally hate prog rock. But I didn’t mind this. The mix of Arabic was mystical and the balance of quiet and loud worked for me. It’s not something I’d throw on regularly but I’d give it another go when in the mood.
Irritating, to say the least Best Song: Book of Saturday Rating: 3.5/10 Stars: 2
Like probably technically good but I wasn’t in the mood for it… #sorry
It's weird but not bad, just kind of background music
20 good,, 80% filler trash
Heck yeah! Opening your album with a 13 minute instrumental will separate the wheat from the chaff. The rhythm section of Wetton and Bruford are top notch. This is really a fantastic album and I enjoyed it immensely. Their Red album should be on this list also. Fripp is coming from a different approach as a guitarist, and I can understand why some people might not like it, but he does some amazing things on here. The more you play it the better it gets.
previously only familiar w in the court of the crimson king.....initially triggered by the aspic but got over it lmaooooo weirdo but enjoyed, fine background for another excruciating morning at work....prob rate 3 but higher 3 know that
some personal issues with this title like the cover art tho beginning / beat of easy money reminds me of that scene in robots where they’re at the factory i think this whole album feels a lil like a movie score, like there shld b visuals attached overall liked the mix of sounds and instruments, different from what i usually listen to
Some really good and interesting, some not so much
Still fresh
Disco conceptual. Exige oídos y cultura musical.
High 4 stars. Really enjoyed this, right up my alley. Surprised by the low rating but guess a lot of people just don’t like prog and that’s fair enough
Pretty good
Interesting enough to scrap in at a four, but only just, on the expanded version the outtakes are arguably more interesting then the main tracks, honestly this one should be rights really be a three, it's too much 'prog wank' for my liking
As someone whose gateway into Progressive Rock was through the structured virtuosity of Rush, my collection has slowly expanded to include the essentials. However, until now, my exposure to the "High Priests" of the genre, King Crimson, was strictly limited to their 1969 debut. Stepping into their 1973 opus, "Larks' Tongues in Aspic", proved to be an entirely different beast altogether. The experience began with a moment of genuine confusion. The opening of "Larks' Tongues in Aspic, Part One" was so quiet and high-pitched that I initially mistook it for my own tinnitus! Once the instrumentation built and the soundscape clarified, I actually had to restart the track to appreciate the transition. When it finally explodes into life, the power is undeniable. While critics often label this "Proto-Prog Metal," to my ears, it leans much closer to an aggressive Jazz Fusion. I particularly admired the dynamics: the tension of the intro leading into a sonic blast, followed by a pleasant, inquisitive violin passage before the grand finale. "Book of Saturday" serves as a brief, melodic interlude between the heavier "Progginess." It is a slight but necessary breather that highlights the fact that John Wetton possessed a truly lovely, soulful voice. The side closes with "Exiles," a track that feels far more plaintive and melodic than the opener, grounding the experimentalism in something more emotive. The second half opens with "Easy Money," which feels a touch more conventional within the Prog framework, yet remains distinct from what preceded it. However, the real highlight for me was "The Talking Drum." It features a long, incredibly cool introduction that morphs into a frantic violin and guitar duet. The way it gradually gathers pace before coming to a literal screeching halt is brilliant; it was easily my favourite moment on the record. The album concludes with "Larks' Tongues in Aspic, Part Two," a track that feels significantly more abrupt and calculated than its counterpart on Side One - full of rhythmic precision. The production on this album is nothing short of excellent, especially considering it was recorded in 1973. The separation and clarity of the bass and percussion are startlingly modern. Interestingly, with three of the six tracks being instrumentals, I found myself gravitating towards those the most. This is very much a "listening" album. It isn't an immediate "essential" in the sense of instant catchiness, and I’m not sure it will ever be a record I reach for on a daily basis. However, it is a grower. I suspect that with repeated listens, my appreciation for its complexity will only deepen. For now, it is a fascinating, high-quality exploration of the genre's outer limits. It won't be for everyone but it gets four stars from me. Side A 1- "Larks' Tongues in Aspic, Part One" (Instrumental) - (4/5) 2- "Book of Saturday" - (3/5) 3- "Exiles" -(4/5) Side B 1- "Easy Money" - (4/5) 2- "The Talking Drum" (Instrumental) - (5/5) 3- "Larks' Tongues in Aspic, Part Two" (Instrumental) - (4/5) Total - 24 Average - 4.00 260/1001 141/260 albums reviewed were new to me
SUCKS
God
I feel I should have known more about Robert Fripp before now. He's been quite a big part of the music I've loved over the years. He provided the iconic drone guitar of Bowie's "Heroes", was a key figure on Talking Heads' "Fear of Music", and collaborated with Brian Eno on multiple albums. He's been all over the music I loved without me realising it. I was aware of King Crimson, but had never properly sat down with their music. There's just too much to get through. That's what I love about this project. Today I sat down with my first King Crimson album and I absolutely loved everything about it. Most of the pieces on this record feel more like movements from classical works than songs. The opening and closing tracks, two parts of a suite that apparently spans four albums over thirty years, are by far the best pieces on this album, and possibly the best new music I've heard in a hell of a long time. Everything here is incredibly brave and full of absolute self-belief. The album opens with three full minutes of just windchimes. There are moments of low volume and almost silence that jump to jolting moments of heavy guitar. Expectations around structure or melody should go out the window. It's intense, chaotic and wild. But through all of the madness, it's really easy to listen to. For an album I've never listened to before, I've made up for lost time, and had it on repeat. It's a phenomenal work that reveals more and more of itself, with every listen. It's not background music, it's something you sit down and pay attention to. 176 days into this project, and it's discoveries like this that really make this all worthwhile. 4.5 stars for now, but in time I could revisit and bump it up to 5 even.
Not my favorite Crimson, but my favorite band.
This album was as unpleasant as its title.
Dynamic texture.
Not enough vocals and melody for my liking but some interesting bits
Biting my tongue
It's always good to go into listening to a King Crimson album with zero expectations, because this is a band that always keeps you on their toes with relentless experimentation and incredibly dense musicianship. 'Larks' Tongues in Aspic' has it all; tribal glockenspiels blending into a full-blown proto-metal riff assault, a cacophony of percussion attacking the eardrums from every direction, Eastern-influenced strings arrangement....and that's just the first track! This record bounces off in so many directions that calling it an unbelievable work of art and an unfocused mess are both correct answers, depending on the point of view. I'm of the former. There's something so richly cinematic about 'Larks' Tongues In Aspic' that I can't help but appreciate the clear vision, creativity and care that went into making this record. Robert Fripp lays down some of the most inventive guitar riffs I've ever heard. He tries so many different styles on this record: metal, jazz, dream pop, psychedelic: and they all work. His vision for the guitar's role in music certainly deepens the possibilities for the instrument, and some of the techniques he utilised here are mindblowing. Then you have the brilliance of Bill Bruford on drums. He's one of the most revered drummers of all time for good reason, and he manages to weave around stark changes to time signatures and moods like he's always attuned to what's to follow, even with King Crimson's heavily experimental nature. The other clear MVP on this album is David Cross (the musician, not the comedian), who adds some beautiful violin and viola flourishes across the album, and his flute playing on 'Exiles' takes you away to a comfortable landscape brimming with serenity. While it's a mostly instrumental record, there are some vocal parts from bassist John Wetton, but honestly, the compositions are interesting enough themselves that the vocals seem kind of unnecessary. Wetton's not a bad vocalist, but where King Crimson really lift off is in their instrumental moments. They're no Pink Floyd in the lyrics department, but certainly more than a match for them musically. While 'In the Court of the Crimson King' is a more accessible record, 'Larks' Tongues in Aspic' is a record for the true music nerds. I know not everyone has the patience for prog, and that's completely cool, but this record demands your full attention to truly appreciate it. It gets better with every listen, not unlike rewatching Blade Runner or Donnie Darko where you pick up new information every rewatch! Best songs: Larks' Tongues In Aspic (Part One), Exiles, Easy Money, The Talking Drum, Larks' Tongues In Aspic (Part Two)
Enjoyed it, but not my favorite from King Crimson
It was fine. The beginning of the album was good, the second half seemed to drag on more though. A little bit bland, in my opinion. But I do tend to like prog rock.
I love In the Court of the Crimson King, this isn't as open as that one. When they get going it levels out but this is a very experimental prog album and most folks won't be into it. I enjoy prog music and this isn't on my list of albums to listen to. It's like a jazz musician with a mental disorder dropped acid and was given all the instruments and a noise machine and let loose in the studio. Parts of it you wish they would have held onto and kept going with but they often don't. It's an interesting experiment.
Surprisingly I really enjoyed this album. Among all the chaos there’s some wonderful moments especially when the violin kick in.
I might just be in my 70s experimental and prog-rock era, but really enjoyed this. Robert Fripp is one of the greatest guitarist in history, and the music here is excellent. Highlight is "Exiles" but each song on the album is given the space and time to develop into something really special.
¿Hay algún disco de Rock Progresivo de los años 70 que no haya entrado en esta lista? ¡Que pesadez! Los boomers han colado esto como la mejor musica de la historia cuando solo les gusta a ellos.
I liked it fine, may have to listen to it again in the future to fully appreciate it. The melody in Exiles is some of the most beautiful music I've ever heard in my life.
again, it's good, just not my jam
Speaking about progressive rock If Pink Floyd is like Pelé, King Crimson is like Maradona.
That was very weird. I like prog, but I still think this is a bit out there. I was really not liking the title track (Part I), but the album got better as I got deeper into it. I'm listening to Part I again, and it's a bit better, but still sounds too much like each instrument is playing a different song. I imagine a few listens will either make me like it more or hate it. I'd say the album is probably around a 3.5-4 for me at the moment.
This is an exploration into dynamics and contrast, but one that feels just about as clumsy as possible. After the twinkling, ambient opener of the first track it shifts suddenly into metal riffing and then just as suddenly into a jazz party. None of these ideas are built on enough to make them feel worthwhile. "Easy Money" has an out of place chorus that clashes with the verses, and then as if to taunt us ends with a "boing!" sound. Tracks like "Book of Saturday" have a pleasant folk rock feel, but the weak vocals and meandering nature mean they also don't hook you. The mathy riff of the last track is a highlight, and while the song does build on it there are still jarring shifts throughout. An album for listeners who enjoy surprises and exploration at the expense of songs that hit a groove. I am not one of those listeners, and these songs almost never draw me in.
Psych rock siempre es bienvenido Al parecer son de renombre y honestamente el álbum merece reescucharse Se concentraron en lo instrumental lo cual considero prudente para un álbum que se siente denso a pesar del poco tiempo que dura Valioso descubrimiento
I tried, I really did.
Well that was different. It certainly showed my headphones have great separation and range. Enjoyed this quite a lot. Will need repeat listening to really decide. 3 stars. Fave track. Easy money
Sonic highlights include 'Tom and Jerry running around' and 'skeleton playing his ribs like a xylophone.'
Weird one, feels like they got high on their own stuff while recording. There's great bits but also the album kind of overstays its welcome.
Adore it. Better than the debut. Fun, with so many different flavors. Always interesting.
This album made me buy headphones for myself and then my dad. Then I visited my dad to listen to this album. King Crimson is my greatest find in this project (so far)
3 Stars Nothing wrong with this, but it's not for me. It's fine.
Not saying Court of the Crimson King is the only King Crimson album that needs to be listened to but it's way better than this one
-interesting album with a large focus on the instrumental. It has many interesting and unique musical ideas, such as playing certain sections in reverse. -the singing is unique, yet pleasant to listen to. -This is the first king crimson i have heard, and i see why people like it, I feel this is an album i’ll appreciate more on revisits.
Prog, ci sta e sono in un momento in cui mi piacciono i KC, però va bene così
Whacky
Lowkey just noises for 10 minutes
My type of noises arranged as cinematic as possible
Instrumental, experimental, many different melodies/medleys/motifs in one long track of 13 mins. 2nd track is more normal, with lyrics, and is actually quite pleasant. Some interesting sounds. I like the use of strings, and I feel like the album manages to keep enough variation for the most part. I did actually enjoy the vocal parts of this album, and the drum rhythms were good, but it was quite over the place in terms of structure
Songs were hit and miss. Standout songs: Easy Money Larks tongues in Aspic (PII)
I would've given it 4 stars if I was high but alas the world isn't perfect
To be endured.
Očekivao sam da će ovaj album biti odličan. Kad ono....... Album je stvarno samo background noise. Pokušao je da zvuči eksperimentalno ali u mojim ušima je samo zvučalo loše. Ocena za ovaj album je 2/5
toliko mi ne prijaju ovi zvuci
Wild album with 14 min songs and a style I call Hobbit Prog. King Crimson remains probably the most far far far out there band and this album hammered it home. Listening expands your mind like a primitive art show in the Dark Ages. Packed with creativity and talent so going 2 stars.
Another Heavy (capital H) prog album and one I wasn't particularly familiar with. Particularly detached, but rewarding on multiple listens. This is a very surprising and unusual listen that covers some interesting ground. Also, Pt.2 sounds an awful lot like Proto Primus and I love it.
Not a fan.
Certainly not as phenomenal as In The Court of the Crimson King, that is also on the list, but it is still a King Crimson album. I'd put fee of their records above this one but Lark's Tounges shine with KC genius all over the place. Some of the heaviest riffs of theirs, a lot of genres put together, with psychadelic KC feel. What else can I say? It's a prog rock classic, one of the easiest 5 stars on the list.
Had niet geluisterd want migraine slay, maar nu gaan we er weer tegen aan
Some really nice prog rock. Good stuff!
gewoon lekkere plaat! ben meestal niet van de héél lange nummers maar hier werkt t goed
leuke viool!! en verder een goed achtergrondalbum
A flawless progressive rock masterpiece from start to finish. 5/5
Mostly instrumental and stylistically scattered, Larks’ Tongues in Aspic feels like friends experimenting in a room more than a fully cohesive record.
Not a massive fan of prog rock to be honest and this is too experimental and weird to really have gained a higher score from me.
I was quite in to ELP and Yes and used to enjoy a bit of prog rock. This is the first time I have been exposed to this album and wasn't overly impressed, that's not to say it was bad, it just wasn't great. I appreciate that this was probably quite pioneering at the time.
Good! Interesting
I dont like aspic but it is the most delicious one.
Woof. Not for me at all. I did not get this.
I like the parts where they are Shredding
I can’t explain it, but this makes me want to watch The Last Unicorn. 1973 is comfortably in the era where prog rock got too nerdy for casual listeners. Spotify listen counts tell me I'm not alone, but my favorite track is "Book Of Saturday" because it's only 3 minutes long. Also, the opening riff has definitely been sampled for some hip-hop, right? Whosampled.com isn't giving me anything, but there's 100% chance I've heard that riff in alt hip-hop before and I NEED ANSWERS. That's probably going to bother me more than the visual of a jello full of bird tongues, but I'm destined for an aneurysm either way.
That experimental type of rock, quality stuff in here but songs too long and a bit too weird
I do think the elemental mixs does its justice
Album was pretty cool musically. It very heavy/hard rock at points. Felt jam bandy at times. It was an interesting album!
Good and inventive but just kinda annoying after a while
This was the hardest fought 2 in my run. I hated it at first, but I gave Morrissey a 1 and knew this isn’t that bad. I gave it an honest fair shot and found the bright spots on my third and a half listen, but never turned the corner on maybe wanting to listen again. I’m down to get weird - I’m just not on board with this strategy of let’s show you how terribly we can sound so that you’re relieved and happy when we sound not terrible.
Feels like about half a good album, half aimless wandering.
What a wild ride this album was. It was highs and lows mixed throughout but with a coherent theme. The slower parts with smooth singing and guitar solos were great. The parts that felt like they were freestyling and plucking the guitar, not so much. Certainly experimental though.
Boring.....
I think Red is a much better, more fully realised and focused album. There are plenty of great parts to this with some incredible sounds and bits of improvisation. However, I feel like Jamie Muir's talents could be better integrated. The extremes of loud/quiet aren't a bad idea (see Mogwai) but it feels a bit like Fripp wasn't keen on Muir's solo sections amd designated them to the extreme quiet parts. David Cross's string parts are really good in themselves but there are a few places where it feels like he and Fripp are vying for the same melodic ground and place in the mix.
Very cool stuff. Gets better as the album goes on
I skipped a few of them
idk whats a 5 even
No, not for me at all….
I mean kinda of just crap.
This was not for me.
Mislim ja sam odgojen da volim crimsone ko šta su drugi ljudi odgojeni da vjeruju u Isusa Krista ali ove naslovne instrumentalne teme su mi dan danas nešto nevjerojatno. Di su oni odveli prog i di su odveli rock. Jebene 1973.
God this band pissed me off. Some very high highs, but also the lowest lows. Incredible ; time signature, instrumentation, etc. An exercise in tension and release
Jeez
I don’t know, man. I just can’t get behind the monotony of prog rock instrumental stuff. “Exiles” is legitimately awesome, but the rest is pretty much just nonsense to me. Best Track: Exiles
I wasn’t sure I’d enjoy this. Whilst I like the complex and ambitious, I’ve little time for the noodly and indulgent. This always stays on the right side of the line for me. Whilst there is a lot going they keep coming back to central ideas that focus your thinking and keep you grounded
Not my cup of tea
As far as prog rock goes, this seems like some of the best work there is sonically - but I think it's missing the lyrical element that I want so it'll have to stay at 4 for now, but I may very well change my mind and give it a full five later.
some jingling and belling, we won't we won't rock you, minecraft skeletons and a bunch of whipping
A terrific album with a cracking and line up.
Meh. I like court of the crimson king but this was pretty meh to me.
It's fine. Overlong which is normal for prog rock, I guess.
Peenar
I like this. Full disclosure, I was doing work and it was playing in the background.
this was ok, still not a fan of long songs, did not like when it got high pitched like metal scraping metal
Wasn't really for me - liked some parts of songs, some interesting riffs, some cool atmospheric sounds, but really don't need to listen again.
I really enjoyed this album, more than I thought I was going to. It is proggy in a way that really resonated with me. I love the writing and arrangements (that violin!!)
Fripp senza dubbio uno dei chitarristi più ganzi della storia del rock. Per il resto un disco tronfio e noioso.
Odd, almost like a soundtrack to a strange, quirky movie. Small bursts of 70s rock fuzz every now and then, too. Not bad, but don’t think I’ll listen again.
Interesting progressive rock - not bad.
I think drugs are needed to enjoy something like this
I wasn't confident going i when I saw 'prog rock' but this was a fantastic listening experience. It throws you off guard from the first couple of minutes with the 'plinky' Middle-Eastern noises in the intro leading into a filthy guitar solo, setting up a fourteen minute epic. Then, Book of Saturday is a more 'normal' mellow Pink Floyd-esque track, with some well worked reverse guitars. The rest of the album is more akin to the intro song, with a slightly mad blend of improv jazz, classical music and a sprinkling of metal. Fripp's guitar is sensational throughout. My favourite track is probably The Talking Drum - the building tempo from the drums and bass overlaid by violin and eventually guitar is incredible. 9/10
Interesting. Early prog rock
Ah tää paranee vuosi vuodelta. Sopivan ”kevyttä” progea. Hyvä kokonaisuus 4/5
Pätevä, joskin hieman ahdistava progelevy. Pitää varmaan kuunnella tulevaisuudessa enemmän, että aukeaa kunnolla.
2/5
So far, this is one of my favorite King Crimson albums. Unlike some of their earlier work, this one doesn’t lean heavily on keyboards. Instead, it takes a more free form jazz direction with an experimental, avant-garde twist. The heavier guitar riffs scattered throughout the album also stand out, bringing in a touch of early metal influences.
A mostly instrumental album. I liked the rock parts! But overall, not an album I would reach for again.
I like some prog rock pretty well, but this one was a challenge. 14 minutes of a first track that sounds like orchestra warm ups is a choice, I guess. Everything else that comes after that is largely listenable, but it doesn’t set a great tone for the record. I don’t think I’ll be revisiting this one. 2.3/5
Overall, wasn't amazed but a solid album that kept to its theme
not my type of music, but has some nice chilled intros
Too experimental for my taste.
Lots of noise. Some of it good. Some of it great. Most of it meh.
One of the greatest albums of all time!
Didn’t listen
Feels like five virtuosos fighting over which genre they’re in while a violin screams in the corner. And that's the beauty of King Crimson.
4.5
what i would play to impress cleopatra
It's bookended by two tracks that are long and experimental.
King Crimson is the best of experimental music. Ever-changing, ever-evolving, and always original and creative. Robert Fripp to this day seems to me to possess such an interesting and curious mind. And, of course, what a guitarist. I love the way he uses the instrument; very much on his own path. This version of King Crimson might be the most talented with John Wetton, Bill Bruford and Jamie Muir in the lineup. 4.5⭐️
Super strange, like an experimental jam band recording. Progressive Rock is a unique genre for sure, and I think I’d offer this album as an example of it. Brilliantly musical moments punctuated by absolute chaos.
At least with me I have to be in the mood for Prog Rock and if you are this album is great.
I’m a big prog rock fanboy so King Crimson albums always appeal to me. Their first album ITCOTCK is rightly proclaimed to be one of the greatest prog albums of all time and certainly got me into the prog genre. However after their first three albums for my tastes they did go a bit weird. I like a my music to have good Melodie’s and to somewhere. There are some lovely melodic phases but just as you settle into these the music suddenly juxtaposes into something less palatable. It is therefore a challenge and you must listen closely if you want to get something out of this album. Which is something I’m sure Robert Fripp wants us to do in order to really appreciate his art. Great for people like me but an instant turn off to most and probably why prog is scorned. So whilst a lot of my fellow proggers hold this album in high esteem, In truth I find this album hard going. But I will not fault it for that and because it is a prog landmark album I will remain true to my values and score it accordingly. 4/5 5/1/26
It's chaotic. I like it, but it sounds like something that would be more fun as a jam session. In fact, it reminds me of the days my ex had a band in the basement and they would spend hours all just sort of playing and vibing off the other. It's not that they were terrible, it's just that the music is funner for the guy in the studio. Although, they were actually terrible. So maybe this is it done successfully. Or maybe that's a bad metaphor.
This album is great. There are so many layers and influences that merge so well in here that make this album a very immersive and interesting experience. I've liked and enjoyed a lot listening to it.
Not for me. I think my brain checked out after a few minutes
Hell yeah, now we're getting weird with it. Another one of those bands I've never sat down and intentionally listened to. While it can be hard at times to do that while not on drugs it's worth it when the grooves settle in. The fathers of prog rock can at times sink into the more grating parts of the genre for me (a bunch of disjointed segments that never really let me settle into a groove), but I was able to get past it most of the time.
Meh
It was alright as far as meandering prog-rock goes but it’s still not for me, this one didn’t change that unfortunately, I thought it was pretty boring. I’m hoping that one day I’ll find something in this genre that I love!
A little too weird
Ok. I hear how they have influenced other bands in their sound. But their noodling on and on and on quickly looses its appeal to me. I’m also not impressed with continuous sixteenth notes. even if every percussive beat is a different note on a scale. They could be a cool band if they pulled their head out of their asses and wrote awesome, approachable songs. Instead they go for this noise is art nonsense instead.
This was actually pretty cool. “Easy Money” is kind of Floyd-ish. I would really like to give it a 4 but I just can’t.
This is a pretty good time if you like goofy meandering prog. I dig it.
If someone told me this was the soundtrack to some obscure C grade movie that was played once at a random film festival somewhere, I wouldn't be surprised.
Not bad.
Definitely “out there”. Psychedelic stuff. Flat out weird in places
Favorite Track: Easy Money
I had to look up what aspic was. It’s like a jello mold made of meat lard. That’s a pretty gross image. Some sick nasty guitar in this, though. Long live the Crimson King!
I can't with this.
Generally a big fan of prog rock but this one is pretty inaccessible. An hour of noodling guitars and wandering themes that never quite land.
I just simply didn't like it, i felt like the first song was a little too long
Sounds like he's being slowly strangled which is affecting not only his singing but his guitar playing and decisions as to what is TOTAL SHIT or not
it’s pretty cool, a lot like pink floyd. i do wish there was more of a chorus in the songs
We get it, you took acid
Really very fond of this proto-math rock. “Exiles” is a little too hippy for the band, but even that has charmed. Surprisingly heavy in parts, parallels to motorik on “The Talking Drum”.
Prog noodling outweighs good tunes. [EDIT: "This sounds like music made by monkeys, but in a good way" - sarcastic 12yo]
This felt like rock jazz, it was cool but also intolerable.
This is fire why do 1001 users hate prog rock so. RYM: Y (#183) Saved a song: N
As someone who is a fan of experimental music I loved this one. While I wouldn't call this my favourite King Crimson album (that'd be 'Discipline', at least at time of writing), it's still definitely one of the best prog rock albums I've ever heard and a high point for the genre. Composition-wise, the music on this album is just amazing, incorporating both conventional and very unusual sounds and other musical elements just seamlessly without ever coming across as purposefully complex or pretentious. The songs themselves, while long, never outstay their welcome and have this natural feeling of build and flow to them that I feel is unfortunately often lacking from many other songs in the genre, while simultaneously being really out there and experimental for the time. While this album isn't necessarily all that accessible and definitely not to everyone's liking, if you're willing to take the time to appreciate it for what it is, it's a blast to listen to. 5/5
Quite enjoyable
some wonderful heavy moments with Fripp and Bruford both sounding great. A lot of dreck as well
I'm glad I stuck with this past the first track. I like it so much better than I expected, and "Exiles" reminded me why the Roches wanted to work with Fripp. 3.5
I thought I liked this more....but that was when I was much younger, dating someone who was really into King Crimson, and doing the occasional hallucinogens. They don't really speak to me now, but still the top of the list in prog rock.
Perfectly nice if you weren't expecting songs, or even necessarily music. I actually liked it better than the usual prog noodling.
Had some cool twists and turns which I liked. Tbf, I think this could go grow on me and I don't think it was the best album to listen to whilst hungover so I will give it some benefit of the doubt.
A great album. King Crimson wrote prototypical pieces for many successful successors. Unfortunately, I discovered the band late, but then I was thrilled. I liked this album so much that I even enjoyed listening to the recording session extracts that were included on my version of the album. 5/5
always wanted to like prog rock but just can't get into it the same
not bad aber bissl zu steil for my taste
riconosco la grandezza muscale e l’importanza storica, ma troppo strumentale per i miei gusti.
The fact that three of the six original tracks on Larks' Tongues In Aspic (a savory title!) are instrumentals shows a degree of growth on the part of the OG progressive band: prog is a foul and soulless genre primarily due to its lyrical failings. These instrumentals are especially poignant b/c Bill Bruford and Jamie Muir are excellent percussionists, adding far more than detail to this already intricate record. I'd be false, however, if I said I despised what this album has to offer lyrically: the other three tracks were well worth my time. 'She responds like a limousine / Brought alive on the silver screen / To the shuddering breath of yesterday.' In short, way better than the debut - and tho it's still pretentious, I take to it like I take to Wish You Were Here.
OH MY GOD. This, on the other hand, IS a Masterpiece 5. GAWD i love prog
Challenging but enjoyable.
You can definitely see how amazing bands like The Mars Volta drew inspiration from this great album. Excellent work.
I like how this gets gradually darker and more sinister and “rock” the longer it goes. Like a reptile shedding its skin.
Probably cool if you're into it
That was some very quick return to King Crimson. Unfortunately, a downgrade too
It's at its best when the bassist settles into a groove. I liked the violin overall as well. A bit too much noodling around for my taste and I don't think we needed to raid the percussion drawer for every wacky instrument in there.
Pretty good, and I see why Claypool likes them!
It was creative but not my favorite.
One of King Crimson's more difficult and experimental releases. Being mostly instrumental would already pose a challange to a big amount of listeners, but the band also throw in abrasive (for the time) guitar effects and unusual song structures. Not an easy album to get into but a rewarding one to explore on a deeper level and just marvel at the musicianship involved. Key tracks: Easy Money Larks' Tongues in Aspic Part Two
Fantastic remodeling of the 60's King Crimson. Was luck enough to see this material played live at the Majestic Theater in Dallas, 1973. This is high on my list of all time top LPs.
Aaaaaarrrrrggggghhhh!!!!!!
4/5 A-
ELP wants to give you a wizard battle. Yes, at its heart, wants to please people. King Crimson wants people to do math problems. I like it, but I imagine the wonkiest album by the wonkiest band is a big ask for a lot of people when there are those great Adrian Belew-era King Crimson albums out there.
Does rock and roll need more fiddle? I’m already firmly in the pro-saxophone camp, and I’m leaning toward yes after hearing this album, where David Cross’ violin plays a starring role, adding texture, tension and melody. This is definitely above-average prog rock. Robert Fripp is a very good guitarist, but rather than simply devote an album to wanking around and proving it, he traffics in actual ideas — backwards guitar solos, noise, repetition, ambient sounds, diabolical laughter, and so on — that I have heard echoed later in other genres. It reminds me a little of Hot Rats-era Frank Zappa (though without the humor) and also sounds at times like a film soundtrack. It does meander at times, and it’s not the type of thing I’ll listen to often, but I acknowledge it as innovative.
I was prepared to hate this because it's prog rock. I expected indulgent noodling a la the worst Rick Wakeman (Yes) or Keith Emerson (ELP) keyboard solos. Yes, its overworked, but there's precision and discipline to the songs. Kinda like Frank zappa; you can just hear the rehearsals embedded in the recording. I appreciated its complexity and was pleasantly surprised by this. I won't listen to it often again, but like a 3 hour foreign film you're glad to be done with, it did stay with me hours later.
Beautiful album.
319/1089 - I don't know how to say this without sounding pretentious but I'd rather listen to classical music than prog rock which sorta emulates classical music. I understand that King Crimson is important and started the genre and everything but I really appreciate the more jazz-influenced side of prog like Yes or Rush. Prog Rock that sounds like classical to me is kinda equivalent to the uncanny valley of animation where something is almost the real things but isn't quite there so it ends up being bad. All that being said, they're all competent players and the drummer was in Yes so that makes me appreciate this more.
I couldn't make it through this whole album, maybe I just wasn't in the mood? Glad I stuck it out to the middle of the album, there was something decent in there. But the start and end were pretty unpleasant. Easy 2 stars, didn't make my ears bleed but I hope I don't hear this again - This is gonna be some interesting prog rock... - Weird indeed. Don't think I'll be making it to the end of this one - I mean experimental is fine. But this is just banging on things and hoping it counts as music?? - Haven't made it through a song yet. Last try on song 3 (of 6)... Strong start for Exiles! Optimistic this album *might* manage 2 stars - Exiles was okay. No longer want to rip my earbuds out. - Strong redemption, but the first song ruined the whole experience. Didn't bother to finish, last 2 songs were whack too
appreciate prog rock, but it's not my vibe.
Væsentligt bedre end "In the Court..." Starter godt, men kvaliteten daler lidt i de sidste par numre.
They found some grooves here. The jams were on point. This could be a modern album if they didn’t sing (the British lilting gives them away). Good stuff!
not my type of music
Yaaaaaaaaaawn
Cuando lo escuché hace 50 años sólo me gustaban dos canciones (las cantadas). A los 60 años los vi en directo y desde entonces he vuelto a escucharles con agrado hasta 1985. Hoy este disco es genial (antes con el tocadiscos de los 70 el sonido se perdía demasiado (a veces solo se oia la aguja).
Aspic ‘-‘😏
Some of it I really enjoyed. Some I really hated. So I’m going down the middle like a coward.
It’s hard to believe this is the same band that made “In The Court of the Crimson King.” This is the proggiest of prog, with exceptional musicianship delivering challenging multi-part compositions. I’m looking forward to exploring more of this iteration of Crimson.
Can't live
Easy Money, you should listen to this album.
Mye mer experimentelt enn det jeg er kjent med av K. Crimson, hvilket egentlig er debuten og Red. Går også ganskje hardt, bra riffing. Snuser på femmer'n. Overraskende ofte høres det nesten ut som noen av Pink Floyds lengre låter, helt ned til at John Wetton synger ganske likt som David Gilmour; Easy Money kunne nesten vært et cut fra Animals.
Nå begynner det å bli en stund siden jeg hørte In the Court of the Crimson King i sin helhet, men jeg mener dette albumet har en bedre helhet? Selv om den ikke har låter av "21st Century Schizoid Man"-kaliber. Tittelsporene er gromme instrumentaler som bare låter slik prog skal låte. Fiolinen blender inn perfekt og er et subtilt høydepunkt der den dukker opp. "Easy Money" kunne like gjerne vært en av de bedre Pink Floyd-låtene. PF er litt hypa, men de har jo også noen gode låter. "The Talking Drum" er litt nørd, men det er vel obligatorisk at trommeslageren på et progalbum får vist seg litt fram. Heldigvis er det fiolin der. Alt i alt en plate jeg gjerne hører flere ganger og føler jeg allerede burde ha hørt en god del gjennom livet.
Har ikke hørt dette King Crimson albumet før. For meg er Discipline det ultimate King Crimson albumet og stusser over hvorfor det ikke er med i lista. Men når jeg hører dette forstår jeg veldig godt hvorfor dette er med!
It would be mediocre if there wasn't a 13 minute long instrumental at the very beginning that is nothing but monotonous.
The production is great and you can tell they are talented, but some of these songs are too long for me. There is never any kind of hook to be found either.
Didn't finish this one but it was cool
GETTING CAUGHT UP! just a bunch of noises for most of it but there are good moments. it's King Crimson, so of course! but still, what was this?
Sans être complètement nul, c'est quand même très pompeux et prétentieux tout ça.
There really are better King Crimson albums.
I loved In the Court of the Crimson King, and there were a few rough spots there. This album is universally lauded, but has the most sessions where I have to physically stop myself from hitting the "skip" button.
Aww... my no-repeat-artist streak ended. I managed to go 19 days without an album from a band or artist I've gotten albums from in the past, which is the most I've gotten in a LOONG time, and it's over now. Oh well. I can't be too upset considering that the band to end that streak is a band as great as King Crimson! King Crimson is so cool. They're honestly unlike any other band that I can think of in terms of history and stylistic change-ups. This is their 1973 album Larks' Tongues In Aspic. This is a pretty interesting choice for the obligatory "King Crimson album that isn't In The Court Of The Crimson King" pick of the list. From what I've gathered, it seems to be considered among the band's best albums, but not quite at the tippy top. Of course, I haven't heard every King Crimson album, but that seems about right. This one's great, but not my favorite of theirs. Obviously, In The Court is better, but I've also listened to their album Red and prefer it over this as well. But this review isn't about those albums! I have to talk about Larks' Tongues! The lineup here is almost completely different from the ITCOTCK lineup, with the only overlapping member being Mr. King Crimson himself, Robert Fripp. You can definitely tell, but I think that's a big part of what makes King Crimson so interesting as a band. As far as what makes an album like this stand out, LTIA is the first King Crimson album to incorporate metal influences! Hell yeah! That's awesome. Imagine being a King Crimson fan and having no idea that this would happen. Like, you start listening to the album and it's all ambient and stuff, and then 3 minutes into the opening track that heavy-ass guitar riff starts and you're shitting your pants. Crazy stuff. The rest of the album has a solid balance between these heavier elements and the lighter stuff, with "Exiles" being almost ballad-esque in a way, and "Easy Money" having this pretty cool groove to it. It's a very interesting album in that regard. The writing is also neat. Robert Fripp's guitar work is stellar, and I also think that the other members here do a great job, with Bill Bruford's drumming being a highlight. However, I can't say that I enjoyed this as much as the other King Crimson albums I've heard. I think it's because it doesn't quite reach the highs of the others. Like, this album has good songs, obviously. For me though, I can't say that any of them reach the highs of a song like "21st Century Schizoid Man" from ITCOTCK or "Starless" from Red. I can't really see myself revisiting this as much as those other albums. But like, this is still King Crimson we're talking about. I still love this album. It's got so many cool ideas at play and it appeals to the part of me that love prog-rock as much as it does. Besides, maybe this'll actually grow on me more over time and become a favorite of mine. Only time will tell. For now, I'll give it a high 4/5.
If steely Dan was psychedelic. This rocks. It’s variable, trippy, big vision, phenomenal instrumentation and almost a little punky sometimes. This might be the only prog I actually like so far because it’s more rocky and not medieval and sounds like you’re COOKED levels of high
Did not enjoy.
Fine, goes on a bit.
It's a bit of a mixed bag
I like king crimson but this isn't it
King Crimson jogged so The Mars Volta could run. Enjoyed all the psych proggy stuff, wasn't a major fan of the Pink Floydy bits, a good album overall but it's no In The Court
Not my favorite by them but definitely worth a listen. The violin added some interesting depth to a few of the songs. King Crimson is very hit or miss for me. The songs that hit are amazing and the songs that miss are a little tedious.
Prog rock can seem like a bit of a chore, but time and again I sort of like it when it’s happening. A bit weird the prevalence of the violin on this one, but endearing. Not sure this one will pop up much more in my life, but glad to give it a chance today.
Apart from maybe fantasy metal, prog-rock is the most hilarious of genres. The delivery of “As you twinkle by in moccasin sneeeeeeeakers” is comic gold.
Oof.
Wasn't thinking very much of this until I read one of the reviews saying it's a headphone listen. It is. So many more layers and complexity to it. Still, a bit too much of the self-indulgent crap that prog rock is always guilty of, ie) two minute long meandering intros to 10 min long songs. TIghten it up King Crimson!