In The Court Of The Crimson King

Like the prog rock

One really good song. The others were too long and experimental for my liking.

I simply did not get it. Not my kind of music.

This is a supreme listening experience on a good vinyl press.

Amazing album one of the best of the 60s low 9/10

This is some prog rock with a capital P. You can hear how much they must have influenced the artists that came after in the big, thematic AOR category. It's huge and bombastic, and you really have to be in the right vibe to take it in. This would have been hardcore even at my crunchy college back in the day.

Overall a bit wanky to be honest. I get it was a pretty revolutionary album and Robert Frip is a great musician. I quite liked some of the tracks but could have done without 21st Century Schizoid Man

Great album. Not easy listening, progressive madness. Had already listened to it before reviewing session. 3.5/5

fino mi rey

Jazzy and experimental, me gusta.

Peak.

Will listen later

Сјајно, доста подсећа на Pink Floyd. 9/10

It started off interesting, but my interest faded after the first song.

Groundbreaking album that I don’t particularly enjoy listening to.

Fan van de stemeffecten Goede melodieën Overgang I talk to the wind is nice Niet verwacht dat dit album ook mooie, rustigere stukken zou hebben, aangenaam verrast Moonchild sleept wat te lang aan met de guitar plucking Mooike, 4 sterren

Not the biggest prog rock fan, so found this to be just ok.

Back in the day my boyfriend loved King Crimson but I was less enthused. Listening to this album again after all this time gave me new appreciation for them.

I always see this record as a must listen for an innovator in the prof rock genre. Been meaning to listen - excited for this one. Have a feeling it will take a couple of listens. Well, it’s fine. Of course it’s innovative, progressive, talented musicians etc. It’s just pretty boring. I “liked” a song or two but I’ll likely never come back to this album.

Alternates between a toddler at a play piano and epic ballads. You take psychedelics, we get it.

One of my favorite prog rock albums

Kind of liked this one

Very jazzy too many sax and horn and drum runs.

Innovative and a little intellectual

Did not like anything about this album. Very strange. Poor quality recording and depressing sound.

I found the album very psychedelic and unique. The band consisted of some very talented musicians, who didn’t play their instruments in a traditional rock and roll fashion.

No

Es una muy buena referencia

Basado

Starts off very noisily then chills out a bit. Strange but not terrible. Unlikely I’ll listen to this again.

One of the greatest albums ever made, it transcends time.

Not really my cup of tea but the album was really well done!

Enjoyed, different - will listen again.

>1hr 7minutes >8 songs I have so many conflicting opinions on this. On one hand I really enjoyed the premise and the themes etc on the other hand most of the album was just random instruments with no lyrics or really any tune to them. I would rate this at a 4 and a 1 simultaneously but I can't so I am averaging them to 2.5 rounded up

Classic album with multiple moments where I felt good things. Also love when guys write 8 minute long bleep bloop songs. Ahead of its time. But yes

The sound was so momentous at times I had to lie on my floor and vibe while listening. Also blends of so many genres done so well while never getting boring or hackey like other prog rock bands. Its like the spiritual ancestor of black midi. Also the first album I've seen on this list that I could confidently say belongs on it 100%. Time to listen to it again.

Housed in a striking sleeve, this iconic album is one of prog-rocks definitive statements. There's lots to enjoy, whether it's the bombastic fuzz laden '21st Century Schizoid Man', melancholic 'I Talk to the Wind' (featuring some lovely flute) or the epic 'Epitaph'. Like a lot of prog-rock, there are a few tedious moments here and there, but that's just the nature of the beast. Pop fans will probably hate this bold and adventurous record.

Wanted to like this album more than I did. Maybe I want to like prog rock more than I actually do 🫤 First track was great but the rest of the tracks were a bit meh.

Really enjoyed the first song and the rest was awesome to listen on a train with an overloaded brain to relax.

Feels like I should like this more than I did. Enjoyed lots of it but some parts just got a bit too self-indulgent for me.

Enjoyable and what artwork!

The album artwork always put me off. In recent years I couldn't help but think was Robert Fripp's reaction to Toyah Willcox on their YouTube videos. As for the album itself, it's strangely hypnotic, an almost calm before a storm.

Outstanding: I originally thought this would be massively overhyped but how could I be so wrong. It felt so new a fresh although it came out in the 60s. How they made a jazzy, funky, rock sound and it went basically completely under my radar baffles me. One of the best albums I have ever listened to, the complexity to it was just stunning.

Really really werid .... 2 stars

An album that's as good as its cover!

Decent, prog rock can be hit or miss for me but this falls somewhere in the middle

Moody Blues/Pink Floyd influencer.

Thematically everywhere from anti-war to religious doubt to ambigous poetry, finally ending with a medieval epic about oppressors. This is the grandfather of progressive rock. I loved every second of it. The instrumentals were masterful, engaging, and I could listen to just them without the lyrics for hours on end no doubt.

Seamlessly Timing

Kicks off with a nice full sound. Psychadelic rock; Beatles meets Pink Floyd?

I already love this one

A sublime album I’ve listened to in full 2-3 times before this. I listened to the Expanded and Remaster version on Spotify. 21st Century Schizoid Man is a fantastic psychedelic rocker with apocalyptic lyrics. I Talk to the Wind reminds of Odyssey and Oracle. Epitaph is an epic prog folkish song. Moonchild reminds of early Pink Floyd, it drifts along delightfully in the expanded version but never gets old to me. The title track is one of the best psychedelic era prog tunes ever made. Overall one of the best albums of the sixties, and one that gets better with each listen.

Lots of cool drum breaks and fills. Only really like the first track. Everything else was kinda meh for me.

My first time listening to King Crimson. I listened to it twice. First with earbuds and then with my headphones. I was sitting relaxed with subdued lightning on the second listen. It was an interesting experience. I enjoyed it and will go back and listen to the album again. I’m curious now about some of their other albums, which I will have to check out. I watched some YouTube videos afterwards on some songs from this album. An early video taking place in Hyde Park in the late sixties, where the band performed 21st Century Schizoid Man, was short but cool to watch. I was a teenager living in London when this took place.

Für ProgRock relativ ruhig. Wenn es was beruhigendes sein soll ist das Album geeignet. 3,5 Sterne wären gerechtfertigt.

Me encantó Epitaph desde el momento en que empezó a sonar, junto con un hermoso atardecer que puedo ver desde la ventana. Sin dudas estos álbumes te hacen viajar a muchos lugares (puntualmente las flautas). Una banda que hacía mucho quería escuchar.

7/10

Cool

album one overall ranking: 21st century schizoid man: 2.5/5 i talk to the wind: 2/5 epitaph: 3.5/5 moonchild: 1/5 the court of the crimson king: 3.5/5 a man a city: 2/5 cool album, i understand why others would like it and the reason why it is so influential, i just can’t get into it 👍 i feel like i would like it more if the songs weren’t as long favorite: title track

Creative.

A masterpiece.

Well that was something. Oas sur de comment je me sens. A reecouter 7.5/10

Listened to this album with a friend many years (admittedly several decades) ago. The songs and their eclectic sound struck me in the same way jazz does. Meaning that their music just falls short of the bar I have set for enjoyment and doesn't warrant any purchase for further listening. While by no means is it repulsive and I do respect their artistry, it's not for me.

Cool vibes

Imagine debuting a group with this album, sickening. No rules just right, all the way through. It’s like the soundtrack to a coked up 80’s fantasy film that was never made.

21st Century Schizoid Man (Including "Mirrors") - 9.8 - holy. jazzrock. wow this is good I Talk to the Wind - 9.5 - so different from the first. and yet still so good Epitaph (Including "March for No Reason" and "Tomorrow and Tomorrow") - 9.6 - amazing. crescendo? starting drum thing? damn Moonchild (Including "The Dream" and "The Illusion") - 8.5 - I really like eveything that I hear. but I think it's a bit long. if this song is 8 minutes it is a 95. The Court of the Crimson King (Including "The Return of the Fire Witch" and "The Dance of the Puppets") - 9.7 - first "crimson king" is an amazing experience.

Trippy

Great album. Great to hear the original spark of the genre. Doesn't hit and all songs, but the great ones are spectacular.

I think you have to be in the right mood to enjoy this, glad I was

gros L encore une fois

Only listened to the first track, didn’t like it.

Outside of 21st Century Schizoid Man, I have no idea why anyone would want to make music that sounds like this. Alternates between slow and boring and drippy and boring. Takes the worst parts of Free Jazz and doubles down on them.

Wow. No one band should have all that power... Jokes about the sample aside 21st Century Schizoid Man comes out hot and stays that way. Absolute banger of a first track. I only wish the rest of the album stayed that way. I honestly liked I Talk to the Wind after adjusting from the whiplash but it's sad how hard is sucks the air from the room. Epitaph felt fine and Moonchild was just weird but the title track ends things very strong. Overall amazing debut album. I'll be coming back to this one. It's not perfect but it's good.

classic

Yet another name I’ve heard of and then been surprised to hear that they are a British band. It was a nice listen but I have a big problem with the random hitting of notes that dominated the latter half of Moonchild. I hate that and it ruins what was up until that point from what I remember an enjoyable track.

This is a much laudited album that I have wanted to listen to for a long time. Not seen it at any festivals or I would have done before now. Well now, that wasn't what I expected. Don't really know what I did expect, but that wasn't it. Not to say I didn't like it, I did. I just didn't expect that. I would buy it, and it's one I will keep an eye out for. Got to be a 4.

I thought King Crimson was something completely different to this. Apart for the 5 or 6 minutes of nonsense jazz at the end of track 4, I really enjoyed this. The opener was lively but my favourite was the vibe of ‘Epitaph’ and ‘I Talk to the Wind’. Great vocals throughout. Really good album, maybe better because it was such a surprise! A really high 3.

This is a very well-known album and it's art is possibly more famous? I was expecting the sound of hair flying everywhere and massive guitar solos and was pleased when that didn't happen. Love the mellotron! Didn't realise Greg Lake was the singer (I quite like his anti Christma song). Turns out it's not as bad as I thought it would be, very hippyish stuff, well it is prog! The mellow 'I Talk To the Wind' and 'Epitaph' are very good. The rest sort of just fizzled out for me. A mid 2.

I've been peripherally aware of King Crimson, but haven't listened to any of their albums until this review. 21st Century Schizoid Man really sounds like it could be coming and going in different directions. Is it metal? Is it psychedelic rock? Fripp's soaring solo and extended jam clearly signals the beginning of prog rock... I Talk to the Wind slows down the blistering glory of the first song. Epitaph expands out and sounds a little more epic, and reminds me of early Bowie. Moonchild has about 2 minutes of structure then devolves into a free form minimalist sound jam that might be in place with early Kraftwerk before they went electronic. In the Court of the Crimson (Kiiiiiiii-iiii-iinnnng ahhhhhhhh ahhhhhhhh) is the epic conclusion with that great chord progression/hook and keyboard solo. This track edges out 21st Century Schizoid Man for me.

I was one years old when this came out. But what wouldn't I give to be able to go back in time and listen to this being performed live for the first time. There's a power here, lurking behind the music, pushing everything along relentlessly. Every single note (and there's a lot of them) has its place and is perfectly placed. It's amazing to think that something so musically dense and complex would make it to number five in the UK album charts. If this were to be released today, I doubt it would make such an impact. It's hard to remember that this is pre-Bruford era King Crimson, although the drums still sound amazing to my untrained ears. Greg Lake also does a fantastic job with the vocals, although John Wetton is my preferred singer. Every track has its place and fits perfectly into the album to form a whole that is even greater than the sum of its parts. I love the changes in tempo and even the improvisation in Moonchild that some people find off-putting. This is one of the few "perfect" albums that I was waiting for on this list.

I like it’s depressing vibe

I hate this album art... The first track is pretty good. The others are fine, but I don't like them nearly as much. Feeling a light 3 on this

Terrific stuff from a somewhat difficult prog rock band. Might take some patience but this is required listening especially for those willing to dig deeper into the music. Robert Fripp is a genius.

Überhaupt nicht mein Geschmack

It's Christmas. I genuinely don't care about this awful album. So it spawned a whole lot of dad rock classics? Don't care. I don't like them either.

Starting off by acknowledging the elephant in the room - I can't believe how recently I found out that 21st Century Schizoid Man was the origin for that sample in Power by Kanye West. I'm still young, okay!? Honest! And casting aside any opinions of West as a person for a moment, that one scene/mission from Saints' Row 3 was badass. IYKYK. Going back to the original though - 21st Century Schizoid Man is an awesome opener. It's just has an aura of anger and swagger to it. Then it speeds up and descends into the jazzy chaos that is Mirrors, which I initially wasn't sure about but I have since grown to love. It's just a crazy and fun interlude, and I love how flawlessly it returns to the main riff of 21st Century Schizoid Man. Good shit. Moonchild is fine, but not really amongst my favourites of the album, but one of the things that surprised me on first listen was that this was adapted by Doves and made into M62 Song. I'd say I prefer M62 Song but I'm not sure it's right to compare them, as Doves took the general melody and spun it into a whole other animal. The Dream and The Illusion were just total avant-garde noise with no real substance, but they were pleasant enough. And all is forgiven when The Court Of The Crimson King breaks through the near-silence. The more of this album I get through, the more I recognise elements that became samples or inspiration. I can really see the influence that this had on bands that came after it. What I didn't notice at first was the fact that this album is from 1969! While this was being recorded, humans landed on the moon for the first time. I could never have guessed than an album like this was a product of the 60s. Overall, this is an excellent album that I'll definitely come back to again. Certainly one I could see myself picking up on physical media. Favourite: 21st Century Schizoid Man

POP! had this record in his collection. He was very much a Led Zeppelin and Jethro Tull guy so you can see why given King Crimson in this era is like a blend of the two on the one hand and wholly of itself on the other. You could make those kinds of connections and not get totally smacked down. If you were a fan of one of these three bands, it was quite likely you'd like at least one of the other two remaining if not both. That is all to say, I saw this record cover looking out with its frightened stare for many years growing up. POP! likes his music loud — as in shake the house loud. My dad didn't believe it outdoor speakers, he believed in making the house a speaker in and of itself. Your home was a SONOS you lived inside of. This album has some absolute bangers, especially when cranked up to shutter shaking volumens. 21st Century Schizoid Man is the blueprint for heavy prog that many bands would follow. It has some of the best horns in a rock context as well (and I say this as someone who usually doesn't go in for that sort of thing). I'm all in on this record until we slow down for Moonchild. It's a good song, but the tonal shift doesn't fit my modern attention span. Typically, I'd put on something like Moonchild for a particular mood or vibe and have something like 21st Century Schizoid Man on for another. I don't think this is a better way of listening, mind you, but I do think it is indicative of how many folks receive and process an album if they're going to even listen to an album at all. So, this review is now a reflection upon the nature of listening to music in (checks calendar) the 21st Century. Are we more or less Schizoid having a lower tolerance to variables within an album? Does the Schizoid man want things flattened so he can bounce between two extremes or is the Schizoid man truly the one that wants the extremes to be contained within one world? I am going to say that Schizoid Man wants two worlds in extremis. If we want to get historical about this we should also take into account that an album has *two-sides* and Moonchild kicks off side two so there is a break, perhaps a schizoid one, in the experience as originally conceived by King Crimson. Whether or not partial or whole, broken or complete, schizoid or fully-realized an experience this album rules as only a King Crimson can.

אלבום ממש טוב אני לא מחדש פה כלום...

Álbum ótimo! Sonoridade gostosa de escutar trabalhando ou estudando.

Great music especially 21st century schizoid man

- Absolutely a classic, full of amazing tracks. - Taking one star out because the interludes are too long, breaking the flow of the album, specially after "Moonchild"

Terraforming album. Prepares the ground for Emerso Lake & Palmer, Pink Floyd ...

yeah this is the stuff. everyone in king crimson is firing on all cylinders this entire album. really is just a pinnacle of progressive rock. i'm not that big of a prog rock fan, but this is just a truly great album. the only song i am not full throttle all about is moonchild, but i do appreciate its ambiance. just a terrific, complete album.

I tip my hat to the musicianship, but this is just not for me. The pivot from track 1 to 2 was so abrupt and the songs are too damn long. Moonchild, so boring. They take themselves very seriously. 2.0

Some parts are okay, others pretty self-indulgent...that's kind of prog-rock in general. Not as bad as expected. Can see why it's influential. 3.3

I liked this album quite a bit more the first time. For some reason, this time just didn't resonate as much with me. Still some really cool moments and instrumentation here, and it does say a lot that this is one of the most sampled albums ever written. Favorite track: The Court of the Crimson King

Classic, huge epic classic! One of the building blocks that had a big influence on what progressive rock would become over the coming years. Great combination of virtuoso musicians, jazz, fusion, ambiance and rock. Every one gets to shine. I never did a real deep dive through their discography, but whenever I listen to this, I know I should! 9 out of 10

starts off so strong, first two are bangers epitaph is life-changing omg oh shit it's the buffalo 66 song!! "call her moonchild...dancing in the shallows of a river" :3 yeah there are no bad songs 10/10 no notes

i fw this, listened to it in the car so no notes as i listened, just moonchild was a real ebb but i didn't mind it. prob need to relisten without road noise drowning that song out, 4.5/5 round down to 4 5 is tough maybe with time

I really loved the elements of jazz in this record. it caught my be surprise. I also realized this is where kanye got his power sample. i can see myself playing this record in it’s entirety again.

I am out of game I have the nerve to make the final cut This is the end, beautiful friends Mi zahts leider nerma so jeden Tag den Albumshördruck zu haben.

Vor zwei Jahren schon mal gehört, damals nicht so gefeiert, aber dieses mal hats mir gut gefallen. Vorallem das Sax und die Klarinets sind geil oft.

Awesome songs. I love progressive rock. Unique sound. Love the quitar parts! personal top3 in no order: The Court Of The Crinson King I Talk To The Wind Epitaph

Cooles Album, hat mir teilweise echt gut gefallen! 6.6/10

Crazy ass album, definitely need another listen before giving a rating fully but I’ll give it a 4.5 for now

Not my kind of cup of tea, very long winded and with some strange interceptions.

It may be very influential, but it’s not the music I would go for. Some track were very great. Other not that much.

Cool to hear that this was a sample but other than that not my jam

pretty enjoyable listen even though its a little slow for my taste

I actually really enjoyed this album, excluding “moonchild”. Great mix of rock, jazz, and a smattering of other genres, kind of reminded me of some of the songs on Sargent Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band, or some stuff by radio head. Very full sounds, great drums and it was neat the hear where Kanye get his sample from. I really liked the build up in some of the songs and the big crescendos. Would listen to again.

Very interesting album if nothing else. I liked the various styles and instruments featured. Some of it was a little more out there than I normally like. Moonchild did not need to be 12 minutes long. 21st Century Schizoid Man and The Court of The Crimson King were my favorite tracks. It's easy to see the influence Crimson King had on bands like Tool. Definitely not an album I would have sought on my own so glad we got to listen to it but probably not one I will come back to outside of the occasional song.

Really liked this album. I love the vibe and and how the album makes the cover art even better. The highs were really high and the lows were still pretty good, albeit not highly memorable after one listen. This didn't have quite the radio appeal like other peog rock groups so I can see why I haven't had this jammed down my throat for my entire life. I'd like to give it a 4 as it was more than decent, but I most likely won't play this album unless I'm in a specific mood. Fav tracks: 21st century, epitaph, in the court of the crimson king.

Opening track is amazing. Otherwise it’s really a lot

Meh, decent but after Kanye, I just wish someone used this entire album as a sample for other songs. Most also sounded like outro music for a Tarantino movie

Meh, OK but a bit short (lots of reapeated tracks) and a bit dated

Wow, fun time trip to a different era!

Like it a lot!

no song makes me feel like I'm on drugs as much as the big crescendo in Epitaph what a goated album

It's like the birth of prog rock. Picking a fave is hard but Court Of The Crimson King is one I look forward to hearing again.

It's the daddy, prog-wise! Iconic both sonically and visually. Fave tracks - doesn't really make sense to break this one into tracks, but I love the pomp of "21st Century Schizoid Man" and "The Court of the Crimson King", and the mellowness of "I Talk to the Wind" and "Moonchild"...

VERY good, the switch ups were great and for being my first rock album I've listened to I loved it, even though it was only really 5 songs there wasn't a single miss In my opinion

Did not enjoy the first song of the album but enjoyed the rest quite a bit.

No. 61/1001 21st Century Schizoid Man 2/5 I Talk To The Wind 4/5 Epitaph 4/5 Moonchild 2/5 The Court Of The Crimson King 4/5 Average: 3,2 Epitaph and the title track are really good, other Songs are too out there for me. Adding evidence to the discovery I made on the Taylor Swift album: I'm a basic bitch

I feel like this is an album Bob Belcher would really be into. LOL

Fantastic album! No further notes-beautiful production and arrangements.

huge whoopee from me

I'm a fan of the genre but KC never hit for me until I heard Discipline, which may as well be a different band. Right off the bat almost 30% of the record is complete trash, I'm sorry, and the closing title track is overblown and derivative. Side A is a huge step up and, as strong as they come, and worthy of praise. This is on the list for sure but not a top album in my opinion.

Just too much random nonsense noise in a couple songs, but I did like Epitah for the most part.

Nice flute on a few tracks. Good deep listening album.

122

It must have been quite something when it came out. By today's standards the good parts are great, but they're few and far between. For the most part it's boring. I thought I would like this album better. Favorite song by far: 21st century schizoid man.

One of the best prog albums ever. Opening and closing tracks absolutely iconic. I want to know how much acid they were on when composing Moonchild

Not my kind of music

My HS cassette did not survive, so I have not listened to this recently. I forgot how good it was, but I probably wasn't old enough to appreciate it in HS. Much more than just the title song and Schizoid Man. Really liked Epitaph.

Amazing musicianship. So avant guards it's entertaining; for a bit.

This album is from 1969. Moonchild sounds so modern its weird, not the kind of modern song I would like (too ambient) but its clear as water why its considered the first progrock album. For me this song its what drags down the album from a solid 4-4.5 21st century schizoid man also sounds very prog, very active, and with something going in every direction, very jazzy-prog, even kinda zeuhl-esque. This is one is my favorite song from the album. Epitaph its also a classic, almost an hymn, but I loved the strength and roughness of the schizoid man, also what a badass title for a song. Both are gold songs, though the fact that moonchild covers 12min of an other-way excellent 44min album and 1 slot out of five songs, its a reaaaal shame. If the album cover were a parameter for the rating it'd be 10/10 Real rating: 4.2

I have been wanting to listen to this album for a while now, so glad to finally have the chance. I really liked most of it, the only bit I didn't like was the free form jazz part of Moonchild. It felt a little needless and just kinda there not doing much. So unfortunately, although I liked everything else, the majority of Moonchild drops this down to a 4/5

Listened to before, interesting instrumental again. Higher tempo and more typical 'rock'. I want to say psychedelic but idk

4.3

I liked the middle sections of a number of the tracks, but found the start and ends a bit drawn out

Prooooog rock. Love prog rock. There is like 20% too much flute on took to the wind. Moonchild is a little long. Repeats:21st century schizo man, epitaph, the court of the crimson king

:O

Screaming red man/5

Only listened once, definitely liked it, need to hear again 3.5 score

snatches of enjoyable melodies in between too many minutes of noise

Kind of album that grows on you. It is weird up front, but in an interesting way.

I thought that this album wouldn't be so good even though I knew it was highly rated. Quite suprised - I think that Epitaph is super good, but Moonchild almost made me drop it a star. Low 5

Fantastic. Another album where the first 5 seconds are just as influential as the next 39 minutes and tell you everything you need to know. I’m not sure many people sat, rapt at attention, through dozens of plays of the 12-minute meandering, confused “moonchild.” And sure, it’s repetitive at times, almost boring. But the top half is what counts. That’s the drama. It turns out that I must really, really like prog! A low— but still steady— 5/5. Credit where credit is due at how absurdly world changing this debut was.

More enjoyable than I expected! Went in thinking it would be prog-rock hippy-dippy nonsense that I wouldn’t be able to relate to but no. Favorite was the first song 21st Century Man, with its engaging hard rock leanings.

21st century SM is awesome. But some of the extended flute stuff is too niche.

Some great moments !

its king crimson its yummy DUH!

Ushering in a new style of art in Prog rock. Another incredible addition to the 1969 Lineup.

Incredible that this was made in the 60s and a very pleasant surprise. Never would have gone out of my way to check this out but glad that I did.

Enjoyable album, from some of the founders of Prog Rock.

I really enjoyed this prog album far more than I would have imagined. It sounds far more contemporary than its '69 release date. It is chock full of musical ideas traversing the spectrum of rock and jazz, yet is far more accessible than, say, Zappa. In particular, I was happy to to discover 'The Court of the Chrimson King' - a song I have heard coutnless times on movies and tv, always loved, yet had no idea where it was from - it's a fantastic track. It's so far out of my wheelhouse I may not relisten to it much so it loses a little in that regard, if I could give a 3.5/5 I would, but I'll have to settle for 3 stars.

One of the best album ever made !

The long prog-rock albums are still not my favorites, but this one was pretty good. I like the slower parts where the guy is actually singing. The long choppy random parts bring it down though

Not what I expected, good psych rock album. Still can't think where I've heard that opening song '21st century schizoid man' Sounded beatle-ish

Kanye sample straight out the gate, it's cool how there's an immediate sense of recognition even though I'd never heard the song or album before. Has happened a few times with samples on these albums. As for the album itself I really enjoyed it.

An album that is telling the story of the Crimson King. I enjoyed the first track, but then it delves into a bit too much of the storytelling and experimental pieces. Skills are definitely on display at times, but overall a slog to get through. High 2

Such a LEGENDARY record. The influence, the artwork, the timelessness, the everything… it’s all great. I don’t want to live in a world where this album (and everything to come as a result thereof) doesn’t exist.

Good stuff, know em already, the album's got quite a surreal and aloof feel and is quite chill, even though at times it's a bit depressing, can also get a little long at points, the gripes are minor for sure, it does cool stuff.

sorry, I have to do my homework, but I loved it

I really love this album. Progressive rock combing what rock was built upon in a very interesting way with genres like jazz, classical compositions and more. Really unique and I'm a fan of almost every track. Interesting how Kanye sampled the 21st Century Schizoid man in "POWER." My favorite tracks: 21st Century Schizoid Man, Epitaph, The Court Of The Crimson King. The only thing that I could somehow critique is that the length of each track is usually quite extensive, but it also gives it a vibe. Moonchild for example stands at 12min with the majority of the time occupied by very contemporary minimalist jazz which might not be for everyone, but I can see it's charm. Overall really enjoyed it. 8/10

Interesting. There's a lot going on. I like the 21st man schizoid thingy man thing idk. Will come back to it.

The origins of prog rock. Weird sounds, hitting keys, guitar riffs, it's all here. First track is a banger. Kanye heard it too.

Occasionally a bit twiddly. But often super. Also, I absolutely love the album cover, it was always my favourite from my parents' collection when I was growing up.

Really enjoyed this album, have not listened to them before. Really enjoyed the different styles across the album and even in songs, especially given it’s a 1969 album.

The pinnacle of prog rock?

I'm convinced that this is a jazz album. 21st Century Schizoid Man is a bonafide hit, and most of the other tracks are far behind. I don't think it's an album for everybody, but I would heartily recommend it to people who are remotely interested. Highlight: 21st Century Schizoid Man Lowlight: Moonchild Surprise Hit: Epitaph

There is no band that better exhibits the finest characteristics of progressive rock music than King Crimson, especially with their debut. They laid the ground work for this genre, and the experimental rock scene as a whole, back when music like this didn't really exist. And no group in this space of music would make anything even as remotely impressive and groundbreaking as this for the better part of a decade (Wish You Were Here comes to mind). And there is no better song to start with than 21st Century Schizoid Man. In my mind, this has always been THE prog-rock song. It has every quality of the genre, and does every good thing a prog-rock song should do, and in less than 7 minutes. Not every song on a prog album has to be some 20-minute long monster. And I think they knew that. Giles' drumming on this is the stuff of legends. This is basically the song of my dreams. If you were to go inside my head, you would probably hear this playing. Everything about this song is stellar. Easily one of my favorite songs ever made, period. I Talk to the Wind is an incredibly stark contrast from the previous song, but it works as a much needed break. And it acts as the only break you really get the whole album. The combination of Ian's flute with Lake's vocals is pure bliss. It feels almost jazz-like in its execution. Epitaph isn't my favorite song by any means, but I still love it. Such a tragic and solemn song, with some of the most moving instrumentation on the whole album. I like how orchestral it feels at some points. The Rolling Stones did describe them as like an orchestra, and they weren't entirely wrong. Moonchild is the only song I don't really enjoy. It is almost as disarming and calm as I Talk to the Wind, but that creeping build up throughout the whole song led me to believe something crazy was going to happen, and the pay off never came. It is basically 12 minutes of nothing. It does show off that King Crimson's weird side has always been there, and they have always had a knack for trying interesting ideas. But I guess that pay off that I had been looking for can be found in the closing track The Court of the Crimson King. The cut between those two songs caught me very off-guard, but what a momentous and beautiful way to end your album. The chorus is so thunderous and feels larger than life. That song alone could light up the sky with a million bright lights. Especially the last two minutes or so. You get this very strange and silly woodwind section, and then you are launched into the Crimson King's court. King Crimson's debut is hauntingly alluring, and so far ahead of its time to this day. That album cover still insights uneasiness in me, and I still believe I can see skulls in his pupils. But that may just be me. Rating: 9/10

Wow delving into my prog rock past. If I am honest I don’t think this has lasted too well. Sounds very dated but still love it. Greg Lake had such a good voice and Robert Fripp’s symphonic guitar. A classic album!

I'm not familiar enough with Prog Rock to have an informed opinion here. I like Yes and Rush but haven't dug much deeper. I like this album. It feels a bit weird without getting into early Genesis levels of insanity. The long songs didn't annoy me as feeling too long. I would listen to this again.

Listening to this album will always remind me of its use in Children of Men. A hauntingly beautiful album to me and generally more calmer than progressive rock tends to be.

Few songs, but with lots of substance and quirkiness. Killer album

Ethereal, kind of trippy and quiet, all in a Pink Floyd'ish kind of way. Not bad. Enjoyed this more than I thought I would.

I can appreciate the skill and the experimentalism, it's just not my cup of tea.

Some insane prog/psych right here. Sounds super ahead of its time. Super tight musicianship, especially the drumming and mellotron work. Lots of people call this the first prog record, but it seems to me like they took a lot of influence from the Moody Blues? Listen to In Search of the Lost Chord and tell me that doesn't sound like this.

21st Century Schizoid Man: Gesampelt v. Kanye West (Power)

Not too shabby. Wouldn’t say it’s King, but I’d listen to more. But I could just be Talking To The Wind.

In the court of Crimson KIIIIIIIIIIIINGGGGGGAAAAAAHAAAHAHAAAAAAA

Not a single good thing. Maybe flutes l.

One of the better prog rock albums

Super enjoyable and can't believe this came out in the 60s! Really enjoyed this a lot. Prog rock forever. 4/5

Increíble

Ziemlicher Garbage die meiste Zeit aber Lied 2 und 3 war ganz cool

All these songs are too long for my little brain. The first 3 minutes of most of the songs are fine but then they get too jam band-y.

Moonchild is a bit much…

I'm not a big fan of this style of progressive art rock, but it paved the way for others.

Love the title track, not a massive sax fan

Pretty good. Too experimental for my taste personally

Pretty enjoyable prog rock. Cool songs that were sampled.

Generally enjoyable, with the exception of Moonchild, which is 12+ minutes of random plinking. Parts of it sound like a Western or Sci-Fi movie soundtrack. Another album where I can appreciate where it's coming from and its influence but it isn't something I'll listen to again.

21st Century Shizoid Man

Really likes these songs but don’t think they were really enough to be a coherent album, more like a few songs different versions

Some really good songs. But too many long weird intro/outro instrumentals for me. Almost made it a 3 because of that

Cool and unique rock/jazz songs Quite long but few songs which was great. Would listen again, genuinely enjoyed the variety

This album was great! Really interesting music, a few songs I recognised, really cool name and artwork, I just like this a lot.

Liked this one - was good fun altho some of the songs were potentially too long.

What a musically interesting album! So many different genres! Loved this.

a favorite titanic album. so good but the second half of moonchild is... if hitting a cup with a spoon every 10 seconds was a music genre it would be a masterpiece but

long loved loved the shit out of this album

Reeeeal good, will listen again

Regular readers will know of my absolute disdain for Prog Rock, so my hatred of this album, which seems to have started the whole thing, is immeasurable.

An unmelodic, alternative and gripping adventure

Art is subjective, and some people love this stuff. Me? Not so much. The first two songs make sense to me. The others sound like they are the soundtrack to a western or kung fu movie. The last 6 minutes of moonchild sounds like they forgot to hit stop on the recorder and the band is just noodling on their instruments. This is art that I don’t get, but I’m fine with other people liking it… not around me. 🤣

Interesting. I guess in some quarters this could be called a seminal album. It's certainly grabs influences from a variety of places. Great production as it sounds pretty good. Love the tinny drum sound! I'm glad I took time to listen. 3.5/5

1st track not really my thing 2nd track is nice. calming 3rd track is cool. cinematic vibes 4th track is calming. long 5th track is giving western movie 6th track same as first. not my thing 7th track same as the second track 8th track has cool guitar and gives 1960s jazz vibes overall rating 4/10 not something i would usually listen to.

It's rambling at times, welcome to prog rock! Rollicking.

I did not care for this album found it hard to get through.

I'm a fan of prog, but never really dived into older progressive rock beyond rush. This was pretty interesting overall. I might have to give it another try just because I know progressive stuff tends to need a few listens to click. On first go though, I'll have to give this a 3.5/5

Very first song sounded like noise, but the rest of the album kinda blew me away.

Didnt know I knew one of the songs 21st Century Schizoid Man but I found all songs on this album to be mystical, alluring and engaging. Very happy listening to this album by a band I did not know. Amazing 5

Reminds me of early Pink Floyd. Incredible musicianship, light on melody.

My first time listening much past the first track, which I shamefully came to from Kanye’s sampling of it. I have since moved on to much better hip hop and can hardly see the appeal in his music anymore. Needless to say this is vastly superior, though it’s obviously apples and oranges. The middle section that is seemingly random noises - made by instruments and non-instruments alike - aside, I quite like it. Definitely an underrated prog rock album. Far be it from me to call it a masterpiece as I’ve seen stated elsewhere, but I definitely prefer it to anything by Pink Floyd. It’s spacious! It’s catchy! It’s interesting! It’s frenetic! It’s difficult to judge on a single listen, but that is my take thus far.

Just sheer perfection. Fripp is a god unto himself

Very enjoyable, there's just some components that I don't mesh with entirely

Classic prog rock

I love this album, it’s such a wild ride. It’s the first one I’ve listened to before (and a lot). An all-time classic.

This album has: (1) an iconic cover image; (2) an absolute banger of an opening track; and (3) a really cool title track that has sub parts, one of which involves a “fire witch.” That isn’t nothing, but I’m not sure it makes up for the rest of the album being generic prog noodling.

I lov e instruments

honestly kind of insane that this was my very first listen like what tf was i doing all these years…. ANYWAY THIS WENT CRAZYYYYY! 5 STARS!

oh this went crazy. i can recognize the artistry in most of these classic albums but i barely ever save them to listen to casually. however... "i talk to the wind" immediately went in the library. THE FLUTE...? absolutely also i dont know if its a crime for album covers to influence my rating but its just too good for me to not talk about it

i normally have so much to say abt each album but i am tire and eepy and its 3am and i need to shower and sleep i like flute in this album iz good and cool 👍 faves: 21st century schizoid man, i talk to the wind duo version (the cool flute version), the court of the crimson king would i listen to more king crimson: yes but i would not purposefully seek it out. and i have listened to this album before.

this is probably more like a 4.5 really. i have listened before this but not extensively. prog rock time. it's not entirely what i gravitate toward but this might have changed my mind a bit... it does kinda get a bit boring in the middle there but overall i really enjoyed listening.

don’t you just hate it when critics are right?

haven't listened to this album before, but i saw 'I Talk To The Wind' was in my liked songs and quickly found out why when i heard it today. it's great!! really fun listening experience

Five stars for me!!!!! It accomplishes everything it wants to, the lyrics vocals instrumentals and song structure work together so well on every single song. Every song works together to make this not just a great collection of songs but a great Album. An exploration of Cold War Vietnam War late 60s paranoia and fear and also an incredible blend of what was going on in rock, jazz, pop, etc at the time. I was shocked that this is from 1969- I had heard the first and last tracks before and would have guessed they were from 1975 or later even. I don't have a favorite or least favorite here, every single song hits in some way. Man. What a closer!!!

YES, I FEAR TOMORROW I'LL BE CRYING (Epitaph) I love this album!!!!

This is a certified hood classic. I love how the overall tone of the album kind of misleads you with the bomb of an opener "21st Century Schizoid Man," which is just super heavy and intense with those distorted, dark vocals and the raw guitar riff with the multi-instrumentalism from Ian McDonald. And then the rest of the album is just chill. It's honestly one of the most beautiful rock albums ever recorded, and you wouldn't expect that from the opening song. I love this album.

Ive heard shits good

Hmm, I wasn't feeling it as much. 21st century schizoid man is a great tune, but moonchild was a chore to get through. Super impressed by all the layering of different sounds.

One of the most iconic albums of the prog rock album, King Crimson's Court of the Crimson King is dramatic, expansive, packed with amazing songwriting, and a showcase for incredible musicianship. Do not be fooled by the radio cuts of 21st Century Schizoid Man. This is an album that has to be listened to deeply and in its entirety. One cannot just play a few cuts hoping to get a feel for it. This is also the most iconic lineup, short lived as it was. Greg Lake was only half there on the follow up, providing most of the vocals for In the Wake of Poseidon but not touring in support of it. On Court of the Crimson King, the combination of Lake, Robert Fripp, Ian McDonald, and lyricist Peter Sinfield made for inventive and creative music rarely seen outside of art music.

Definitely weird but interesting

Melhor álbum de prog da vida

Musically different from other albums of this same year. Loved the slower songs dynamics.

Pretty cool but not for me. I liked a bunch of it but a bunch was also a bit meh. Not much here i want to add to my playlist

Is this progressive rock? Why does it so often refuse to dance or swing. This is why Dead > any prog - they too get weird but always come back to dance. Still, close enough to my wheelhouse that I’ll listen at least once again. There’s good stuff here, not least the cover art.

I've listened to this album plenty of times before, so idk what to say. It's amazing.

I love the jazz and the lyrics, especially from 21st, epitaph and I talk to the wind

Experimental jazz meets rock - such an interesting exploration of sound. It all feels very intentional while maintaining an ethereal quality. I love how overly long "Moon Child" is - one of the more interesting songs I've listened to in quite a while.

Hard to hear some tracks on the interstate, but I'm a fan of tracks that slow build. It seems like the first 3-4 tracks were the best. Enjoyable album, surprised I never heard of them before with how much classic rock I heard growing up.

Album cover scares me. Long ass songs. Some bangers and real visible jazz influences. Tentative three for now. It's my first album so idk what the competition is. Long slow parts that aren't calm enough to be relaxing and end up tedious.

21st Century Schizoid Man has a nice few minutes and a bunch of showing off. The rest is a little English prog-y but not as silly as you might expect with Greg Lake in the band. It's listenable. It probably fits as a soundtrack to something. music: acknowledged. (╹⌓╹)

I like

This thing is so bonkers and so good. I’m not sure I had ever listened to it in its entirety before, and now that I have. I definitely will again.

21st Century Schizoid Man and The Court of the Crimson King are superb, but they bookend much weaker tracks. Moonchild, notably, drastically overstays its welcome and really makes the record drag. Removing Moonchild would make this a mid-to-high 4, but the record, as presented, instead ranks as a high 3/low 4.

Whenever I think about progressive rock, this album comes to mind. Great one!

Disappointed in myself that it had been years since I last listened to this one. 5/5 just for being the inspiration for all 70s prog rock to come.

One prog album to rule them all, one to find them, one to bring them all and in the light unite them. If you’re not having goosebumps at the beginning of “Epitaph” are you actually alive?

Not a fan, long Melodies. Jazzy.

Nice bass instrumentation and drums. Not a fan of the vocals. Overall, meh.

Liked this, but isn’t my favorite.

Interesting music. Reminds me of the moody blues but maybe a little more experimental without any big hits

A fascinating entry into the early years of the British progressive rock movement. Songs here are derived as much from Western orchestral music as they are from the blues. It's experimental and it rocks a bit less than something straight-ahead, but it's still listenable. The are only five songs, originally: 21st Century Schizoid Man is the most accessibly 'rock' tune, doubling its guitar riff with a horn section so seamlessly that you might not notice. I Talk To The Wind is a sweet tune driven by a flute melody, lovely two-part harmonies and really interesting drumming. Epitaph is gloomy and bass/keys driven under Greg Lake's best vocal performance of the record. Moonchild is highly atmospheric and a really interesting composition for rock instruments, but ultimately more a mood than a song. You might love this but you're unlikely to hum it. In The Court of the Crimson King sounds like the reprised overture from a suite, but it stands alone. No two are the same. Robert Fripp (whose control of this band later became absolute) does weird and interesting guitar things, Greg Lake kills both the bass and vocals, Michael Giles is a terribly skilled drummer (often playing in odd time signatures just so the band could show off) and Ian McDonald does just about everything else. The album is maximalist, overwhelming, thoughtful and meandering. But in 1969, this was a planted flag claiming what you could do with the instruments from a rock & roll band (plus McDonald standing in for a whole orchestra). It's not always an easy listen (though it is thoroughly, inescapably musical, unlike other albums that are described that way), but you should listen to it at least once in your life.

Always a fan of prog rock. theres a fine line to ride between repetitive and iterative that king crimson rides mostly on the iterative side

It was good, but I did NOT understand why every so called vinyl enthusiast has to have this album.

Vet album, mega veel invloed. Paar echte knallers, maar ook wat mindere nummers.

Cool but I dislike rock

This album had jazz, rock, grunge, and soft sweet melodies that I'll never forget. A chordly cornucopia. Amazing!

An album that almost demands you sit back and absorb its immersive soundscape—featuring incredible production. I understand the hype around this album now.

Groovy album

Oh yeah

Amazing transition work and prog staple. Love all Fripp. Not for every occasion

Lekkahhhh

Very solid entry for progrock, but Moonchild just doesn’t fit in there

Это какой-то отлет - вот альбомы как Pink Floyd - для медитации в себя, разные слои, придумывание своих смыслов. Тот же год, что и у предыдущего альбома, но совсем другое. Надо послушать другие альбомы под настроение

I'd listened to songs previously and thought it was king gizzard. Amazing.

This is prog rock. Throughout the entire album you hear the sound that inspired countless bands across countless genres to this very day.

Fripp, Sinfield, Lake, McDonald --say no more!!!

Good tunes

The first and last songs go hard. Otherwise fun, fine.

First listen and experience with the artist. Has vision and storytelling structure. Stands up over time.

KANYE!! but, fun instrumentation. and then moody and bowie-esque. weird.

Long live the King!

Turning rock into bollocks since 1969.

cover is its own reaction shot

Rock I talk to the wind Sokan szeretik, nekem nem jon be annyira. Kicsit chilles, elgondolkodtató.

I like them! 3.5 rounded up to 4.

Didn't think it was great.

I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this. It’s very, very prog, but actually quite tuneful, and the noodly instrumental sections (usually) manage to add interesting ideas or build atmosphere rather than just being self-indulgent. The mythical, medieval mumbo jumbo doesn’t bother me either. It was probably all pretty forward-thinking but 21st Century Schizoid Man in particular *still* sounds so far ahead of its time. It’s a shame, then, about the last 10 minutes of Moonchild. Seriously, why put that on a record?? Still, I like the cut of rest of the album’s jib.

Not bad, good instrumental mix. Songs were a bit long felt a bit dragged out but I only had the Expanded & Remastered version of the album so that would explain it.

Partly enjoyable and groovy but lengthy noodly section I had to skip for my own sanity

3.5/5 Some of it was jarring. Really enjoyed court of the crimson king.

-interesting mix of songs, many of which include sounds/ideas that I like but I don't know if the quality is there (makes sense given how pioneering this was) -some are a little too far in the direction of traditional rock for me, others too meandering

3.2

I think it's all technically very good and a lot of the instrumentation is interesting and sounds really nice It's a lot more mellow, sad and vocally soft most of the way through than I would expect from just the first song A lot of it does sound a bit drawn out and boring to me but that's probably because I'm not very attached and so I'm not paying that close attention But it does sound like an interesting album I can see why it would be highly rated There was some wind in an early song I liked; I like the percussion in Moonchild I do really like long songs that kind of drift into each other and contain almost subsongs so that you can listen for a long time without getting bored at all or even noticing which song is on or when it started or how long it's been on and you just get immersed in it Halfway through moonchild has a lot of really nice noises that work really well together I think Actually the whole second half of that is just very beautiful sounds including varied percussion and guitar among other things A lot of it sounds very familiar - not necessarily that it sounds particularly like much that I've heard but tbh I get the impression that it feels that way because other stuff I've listened to has been influenced by it The Court of the Crimson King also has some nice combinations of percussion, wind and guitar as well as some particularly interesting sounding wind

9/10 Light years ahead of its time. Reinvents progressive rock every two minutes (or roughly 1/8 of a song). A bit condescending at times, hard to follow at others, but otherwise, an amazing experience.

Brani Preferiti: - "21st Century Schizoid Man" - "Epitath" - "The Court of the Crimson King" - "I Talk to the Wind" Note: Mai sentito parlare di questo gruppo e non un fan del prog rock, ma questo album è un capolavoro dall'inizio alla fine. Ogni melodia è pensata in una maniera spettacolare, il fatto di mettere rock, jazz e musica classica assieme, rende l'idea dietro questo album ancora più brillante.

screamy man screamed and I screamed wittem

Interesting...

meh. pass.

What I heard and I didn't get to all of it was very hippie vibe and chill. Nothing wrong with that but nothing I'll be going out of my way to revisit. 3 stars because it was okay and I didn't get to all of it so I won't dog it too badly

Easy to see why it's a classic

Yes nice i know

Really loved this album. 54 years old but still sounding fresh

This was quite surprising. I've always revered In the Court of the Crimson King as a prog standard but haven't really listened to it. I was underwhelmed tonight. I realized that I enjoy covers of Schizoid Man better than the original. Even Court of the Crimson King sounded bland. The other three tracks did not engage me at all. So sorry this didn't work out. All the math says I'll love this album, but I don't.

has a lot of good instrumental and vocal moments, but sometimes the songs go on for way too long for my taste tbh loved horns on 21st cen schizoid man and the riff(?) at about 4:45 on I Talk to the Wind and the sax on A man a city

Can hear late Beatles influence, or vice versa. But most songs not my thing