Reviews (page 13 of 14)
Too prog rock for me
Psychedelic rock of late 60s that hippies would listen to while tripping on acid or shrooms, not a fan
Great stuff! Didn't want the title track to end.
Very intense album, was not expecting to find songs i liked better than "21st Century Schizoid Man". First songs of the album felt like genesis to me. liked a lot "I Talk To the Wind"
Definitely a unique sound especially when considering the year.
sympa, expérimental
Good music, some of the pacing is utter shit. Its prog rock so you have to expect it I guess... once the stuff gets going its good.
5. Great album!
Epitaph is godly. A masterpiece. I Talk to the Wind is good, though it gets old. I do not listen to Moonchild that much, so it is nice to hear. 21st... gets old to me.
you know who is a 21st century schizoid man? SHACK.
Whilst I don't normally condone the monarchy, in this instance they have made me feel like an underage commoner being buggered to death by Prince Andrew and Prince Edward. And Prince.
Poor man's Russell Brand
Too far out man
Well just looking at this creepy face, I remember the title track being one of my favourites in all of prog. Now does the rest of the album hold up Update: it holds up One thing I didn’t remember from my last listen (sometime in the last decade) was all the jazz influence (see: the wall of noise at the end of “21st Century Schizoid Man”). The amount of freeform noodling is pretty high but they get a pass considering how strong the compositions can be. Crimson King takes full advantage of my soft spot for musical indulgence. 5 stars September 19 2023
I liked this. It's like if The Moody Blues were into heroin.
Overrated but with some nice moments. Listening to it is not the overwhelming experience that it's been cracked up to be, but it's not a waste of time either. Good cover.
fuusio fissio jazz ambivalent post-progressive metal folktronic avant-garde psychedelic noise cock...joo tiedät paljon genrejä vitun prententiuous piece of fucking shit....... 21st century lunatic on the grass.....huutava punainen ukko... toinen crimson albumi ja tähän mennessä toiseksi paras heh....(eli PASKIN kaikista) epitaph
4,5
Mostly aimless noodling or random avant garde guitar thrashing. Occasionally some lovely melodies, but overall it just meanders along with no direction. The title track and 21st century schizoid man are brilliant, though.
Lekker hoor!!!
BANGER. Had 5 sterren gekregen als er meer nummers op zaten en als de nummers niet zo kk lang duurden.
Awful album cover. Just terrifying and would make me not buy this album. Otherwise, a really great album even with Track 4 being a bit tedious. This is the precursor to prog-rock that eventually becomes heavy-handed with references that seem to make up the basis for Dungeons and Dragons, which eventually led to Rush. So that's not great, but overall a really good album and I would recommend it.
Highlight of this is definitely the drum fills
An astonishing experience. The free play sections are awesome, and the album closer just takes my breath away.
Thoroughly enjoyed this. A little kooky in parts.I think I like progressive rock?
Mostly I love this album. Loses a star for a few tracks being lengthy in a less good way, eg the quiet tinkling last 5 minutes of moon child.
This is the music some of the artists I love grew up listening to. However, they have taken the ideas and made them much better.
Not sure to start with. After opening track it starts to open up into something different, some lovely melodic moments and a crochet of melancholia and confusion emerges. The move into the (sort of) title track makes sense of the piece as a whole. I appreciate it thinking of it in the context of its time and there are jazz influences flying around in there. Didn’t blow me away but I might throw it on someday again to see how it sits. A few listens might unlock something more but the prog noodling around isn’t instantly appealing for a relisten.
stark trea, kanske en fyra om jag får lyssna igen.
Prog wankery
The first prog rock album and it’s just a classic. I first heard the opener as a sample in POWER by Ye and knew I had to listen to it. I was not disappointed. The mix of jazz and rock is just insane. The jazz embellishments and freak outs are all over this record. Moonchild and ITCOTCK are examples of This. I talk to the wind is just beautiful and the flute is just the Cherry on top.
The quintessential prog rock album. Everything from the lyrics to the music to the album cover. The only slight negative thing I can say is the post-moonchild element goes on a bit too long, but when it thunders into Court of the Crimson King... Wow. Easy 5*
would be a 5 if it wasnt for the fact that 3 songs are mushed into one. just let each song be their own song. it just makes the music annoying to add to any playlists. fav songs: the last 4 ones on spotify (excluding bonus)
Another record I've known about for years, seen the cover many times, yet never listened to. The riff from 21st Schizoid Man is fantastic and familar. The rest is OK - I can see the influence on lots of other artists such as Frank Zappa and John Zorn
like it. lots of crazy jazz, psychedelia and rock/metal. definite sounds of sabbath in one of the songs
This album was awesome!! Definitely going to give it a second listen. Epitaph was my favorite song.
Classic album. Love the alternating rhythms and 70s guitar riffs.
I've known of this album for a long time, but never got around to listening to it. It's definitely fine. Good even. However, after years of hearing people swear by this album, I can confidently say that it is insanely overrated. 3/5
Headphone immersion experience
Not my thing
On my previous dalliances with the screamy man, I was not quite sold on what I heard. But my ears have been opened to prog thanks to my more newfound and undying love for another King -- one of the Gizzard variety -- and upon this relisten, I found I enjoyed it more than ever before! This is epic at times, restrained at others. The time signatures shift, which is cool and good! "Epitaph" and "The Court of the Crimson King" are probably my favourites here. As the birthplace of prog, and as an iconic work of art in its own right, it would be sort of screwed up if I didn't rate this at five stars on principle. But on this listen, I finally discovered that it truly deserves them.
What a strange album ! The ambient changes all the time between songs and even in songs !
This always bears repeating: if you have ugly or off putting album artwork I will not buy your album. And I will judge your music much more harshly because of it. This is shitty psych/prog noodling that nobody wanted. There’s a reason they aren’t part of the pantheon of all-time great classic rock acts. Their shit doesn’t resonate so it has become obscure instead of fondly reminiscent of a different time. Begone! Back to the bottom of the value bin stack with you, King Crimson!
"Progressive Rock" has become a red flag for me, but I enjoyed this album just fine. Nothing earth-shattering, but certainly cool to listen to.
When I saw King Crimson pop up, I was thinking, “Oh…I have here of them…but is that a good thing or a bad thing…”. Turns out that it was an okay thing. I really liked some moments and really wanted some to end quickly.
Occasionally an excess of noodling but mostly epic and soaring. Reminded me of Moody Blues, Pink Floyd, early Genesis, etc., unsurprising I know. Glad to have heard it.
I have heard of King Crimson and they always felt like something I should have listened to at some point. Today is that point! I loved the jazzy-moody-noodly-psychedelic nature of all this. There was a lot of interesting songs - real versatility on display. Prog-rock anthems, lovely sentimental songs… I love the mix of lovely-weird. Terrific!
abstract and weird and kinda fun :)
I really liked this. It's weird and wild and whacky and definitely a bit 'out there'. The only thing that drags it down to a 3 is the lack of a good 'groove'. I appreciate how instrumental this band and record are in forming the progressive rock branch and totally love it. 21st Century Schizoid Man was a real standout, definitely that track is going to be played again in my house.
i liked. 7/10
March For No reason was very good, all other else was not my type lol
this album is fantastic i love it a lot
Another album where one track was a stand out and the rest were 'meh'. Objectively, I'm sure King Crimson are doing something special here. I can recognise this album was influential and is beloved to many music fans. I do love the album cover, I must say. I talk to the wind is a nice soothing, late night track. Lovely stuff. The rest felt forgettable. Maybe they'll catch on with me on further listens.
Funky as hell on the first track so far! Gottdamn. So I've gone through the whole album and I love how absolutely classically BARDIC it is. It's everything one would want from an old-timey fantasy epic, and honestly the only thing that gives away the albums age is the heavy usage of the musical organ. The album is decades ahead of its time. Astounding.
Uplifting, exciting prog rock which occasionally meanders into self indulgent cul-de-sacs.
For my third album recommendation, I was given the red screaaammmyyy man album, which I was already a gigantic fan of to begin with. However, there was only one song that has prevented me from giving this album a 10/10 in the past, and that is the track “Moonchild”. Depending on how I feel about it in this listen, I may or may not give this album a 5/5 instead of a 4/5 (it’s soo close to being a no doubt 10/10 for me!!). After giving this another listen, I can say without a doubt that this is a 10/10 album!! While Moonchild is still my least favorite track, I think it actually fits well in the context of the album. It does a fantastic job of putting the listener into a lull-like state before the closing track of the album comes slamming in! What else is there to say? This album has easily one of the greatest opening tracks (21st Century Schizoid Man) and closing tracks (The Court Of the Crimson King) in music history, and the tracks in-between do just as great of a job of engaging myself and many other listeners as well. 10/10
Needs attention
I really loved this album! I laid back and listened and it was a great experience
Sounds 70s, not gonna listen to all of it
Appreciate the talent and composition, just not my preference
What a great surprise. Precursor to Pink Floyd.
I LOVE THIS ALBUM TOP TEN FAVORITE ALBUMS EVER THIS SHIT CLASSIC CLASSIC CLASSIC
If I had a dollar for every time I've seen this album cover, I wouldn't have been listening to this on my way to work this morning. However, even though I've seen this album countless times, this was my first time listening to it. I know this album is supposed to be the first prog rock album, but I wasn't sure if I'd like it; I like Pink Floyd, Rush, Supertramp, and Yes, but I don't really consider myself a prog rock fan. Well, after listening to In The Court Of The Crimson King, I guess I can consider myself at least a casual fan of prog rock. I really enjoyed this album from start to finish. The jazz influences were easy to hear right from the start, and I loved these long, orchestral songs. This album is incredibly ambitious, and it blows my mind that it was released in 1969. It's easy to hear that this album had a major influence on all of psychedelic rock that came after it, especially Pink Floyd's "Shine On You Crazy Diamond" songs. As much as I enjoyed the strings and woodwinds, the drumming was probably my favorite aspect of this album. I loved the cymbal crashes in "Epitaph" and the jazz-adjacent fills on "21st Century Schizoid Man." This album isn't the type of thing that I like to listen to regularly, but it was fantastic, and its importance and influence on rock music can't be understated.
Aguante el prog
Buckle the f**k up. Court is in session. The opening breaks are raucous and cacophonic. You think you know what it is, but then Schizoid fades into Talk to the Wind and the (probably best on a modernish album) flute floats melodious with what is that (clarinet and some starry keyboard?), and you find you don't really know what is going on-- yet. On the third track, the kettle drum rolls thunder and the strings come in and you think, how many instruments do these guys play?? The vocals are a little more pointed and the strings carry you soaring above the mountains while the completely unique guitar pierces through the void and injects salve. Finally, sweet release and the acoustic guitar takes a role stepping aside only for the somber and somnolent clarinet and still thunderous drums. Moonchild swings in like an old sad friend. It seems simple, familiar, predictable. But is it? What sort of hobbit journey are we on and when have you heard anything remotely like this before? Was it in a dream? At the end, we get like 7 minutes of call and response jazz chaos in fits and starts and might be tempted to think, is the album ending here? Going to sputter out? And then the title track comes swooping in, organs and drums, guitars and then into the quiet little hamlet voice. I wonder at this stage briefly, why do I hate Jethro Tull so much?? Oh because it is totally derivative of this album probably with none of the originality, lyrics, or talent. Overall, this is a brilliant piece of work. I met this album at age 13 and it was way beyond my comprehension at the time-- still on the edge. My dear dreadlocked pal, Troy played it for me on vinyl and it was old then. Somehow it stands even taller and is even more fascinating. A musical pillar.
How many times must I try to listen to this album without getting lost in the nostrils of the cover art? I'd like to call this a slow burn, but slow smolder is more appropriate. The whole medieval theme carried through is a blatant signal telling me to move on... but pushing through that reveals things that come to those who wait. And wait, and wait... Love, the first song (after multiple listens), the second is fine, but drags on waaaay too long as do most of them. I suppose this is a decent album to be stoned and eat mushrooms to. The ebbs and flow of the insanely long tracks keep me holding on and provides a sense of accomplishment once this one has ended. Regardless, I'd listen to this again ... preferably with a cool buzz.
I listened to "In the Court of the Crimson King" once, and really didn't dig it. Glad I went back for a second listen a couple weeks later, because I must have been in the right frame of mind to appreciate it much more. Or maybe I was confused and it was "Larks' Tongues in Aspic" that I didn't like, because that King Crimson was just five days before this one. I guess now I'll have to listen to that one again, but now I'm dreading that a bit more. Was that the bad one? Is that the one that will make me rethink my feelings on progressive rock? Let's hope not, because "In the Court of the Crimson King" was apparently very influential in shaping the genre and deserves its accolades.
This reminds me of Jethro Tull, so it gets the same rating.
I like a lot of this album. I Talk To The Wind is my favorite song. I like the varied instruments. I like the vocals. I don’t like the jazz influences, the random noise generator shite. It shows up a bit on 21st Century Schizoid Man, but mostly on Moonchild. The first couple minutes of Moonchild is great. Then it’s followed by far too much noise that sounds like King Crimson dropped acid and blew their own minds. Unfortunately, my mind is wondering why they interrupted a really good album with crap. Even with these departures, I like the album. It’s a 3.5 that has to be rounded down.
Album 129 of 1001 King Crimson - In the Court of the Crimson King Rating : 4 / 5 Favorite Track : 21st Century Schizoid Man I don't rave about this album as many others do. I think they had better albums. Personally, I think the cover has kept this one in peoples minds as much as the music. I would go a little deeper. but life has raised its ugly head today and must be tended to.
I can get the historical importance of this album, and King Crimson was responsible (thanks to the 1001 list) for my discoveries on experimentalism and progressive rock. On the other hand, as expected for their first release (still starting to mix up stuff with the most basic rock lines), this album is a bit repetitive and not so easy to listen to. The song "The Court Of The Crimson King" is truly amazing, but the rest of the album could be much better, as their own proved in their later releases.
I liked this
Si Fragile de Yes est un classique des classiques, In The Court Of The Crimson King est L’ULTIME classique du rock progressif. Puissant, mystique, experimental et tout bonnement bien construit, c’est l’un de mes albums préférés. Ps: Si vous voulez skip Moon Child, écouter au moins la dernière minute, la transition avec la dernière chanson en vaux la peine
Excellent malgré quelques rares moments d'égarement
endormie
This album may still be ahead of it’s time, but I loved it.
Well, those that don’t rate this record certainly get hot under the collar explaining why 🤣. I get it though, music has that unique ability to divide opinion. I marvel at the fact that this was released in 1969. A sound that is a hybrid of jazz, classical, blues, folk and everything else. The opening track is a menacing sound and represents the album art work perfectly. Dropping the needle on this for the first time must have been an amazing experience. I am one of those who believe it’s a classic of its time. I don’t like everything, the middle section of Moonchild sounds like the band are each playing a different song and it drags on. They invented Prog Rock with this album, it’s a record that is both “of” and “ahead” of its time. And fifty years later it is still finding new fans. Essential !
54 years have now passed and this record is still totally fucking shite replete with lofty fatuous gibberish lyrics, interminable meandering repetitious song structure, insulting childlike musical waste "improvisation", and (heaven fucking forfend), worst of all of these things, the flute, this record still tops the lists of many people who have far too much time on their hands to discuss such juvenile and perverted matters online and on print (how embarrassing! how uncouth! how unbecoming!) however the question still arises - does the opening track save this record from a lousy miserable one out of five? well, perhaps; but if i wanted to extract anything valuable from this silly little album i would have simply picked up kanyes version instead p.s. my arm hurts and its all my fault dont drink and cycle lol
Surprise sample from Kanye
Like a mix of early Pink Floyd with a touch of metal and general weirdness. I liked it!
an album i've loved for a long time, in no part that i associate with my bf.
There are elements that are good. Then there are times when everything is unstructured and everyone was just playkng random shit. Every song is way too long. It was to the point when only one note was playing and the question is why? It adds nothing. Also enough with the bonus tracks. Just have it go to the next song. I will round up
Always loved the main song but now I heard the rest and they're great!
Musicianship and production on point
I think I was expecting more but there aren’t that many songs on this one. I’m glad I finally got to it though.
Maybe the first (and one of the few) albums in this genre I ever owned. Top of the line prog rock, and I actually like it a lot. Though it carries some of the common sins of its type - there is for example a real stretch of some absolute intolerable horseshit in Moonchild. Mostly it keeps it pretty tight however.
Rock jazz ambient wtf.. fuusion.....sitte proge vittuilua... jahas proge.... Haistkaa paska...
Silloin kun ei kilinkolistella, biisit ovat oikein hyviä. Albumi on osattu pitää sopivan mittaisena, kun idea on toisto ja kolistelu. Silti liian junnaava silti (ja kilistelevä) omaan makuuni.
Myönnän, että eka biisi alkaa melkein vakuuttavasti - Kanye West on osoittanut, että siinä saattaa piillä pieni koukkukin. Tämä on parasta, mitä levystä voi sanoa.
I don’t think they’ll become a favourite of mine but I can see why others may love them.
Prog rock royalty Zoveel coole sounds, zoveel coole ritmes en ingewikkelde patronen. Al paar x geluisterd en elke keer iets anders dat opvalt. Ik moet ze vaker luisteren.
21st century schizofoid man vuuuur. Prachtig album met veel toffe geluiden. Prog rock zoals ik het graag heb.
Some good parts some bad parts but overall fun and interesting
Immediately knew I would like it, because it was progressive rock music. I absolutely love how chaotic the first song was, then it became mellow. Left a lot of room for the unexpected. Thoroughly enjoyed.
One of the best examples of experimental psychedelic rock. They were incredibly progressive and the album shows them rocking incredibly hard and also playing very soft. It’s a well produced album with good instrumentation, vocals, lyrics, and structure. Some of the later tracks were a tad drawn out, but I enjoyed most of it. 4/5
Didn’t dig it. Another album that seems influential. I can hear its sounds elsewhere soon after this came out. But it’s not pleasant to listen to the whole things in album format. Meh
a classic!
mid af
Part acid trip, part marks and Spencers advert (in a good way).
Amazing album, finally some proper music on this list. A full 5/5 would've needed for the quiet ego cling-clang bit to have been removed. Or even shortened. Nobody got time for that.a
TWWENTY FIRST CENTURY SCHIZOID MAN BEUM BERUMBEUM BEUM esse album é progressivo emocional, não aquelas notas escaladas que soam como um show off. a maneira como tudo progride e se encaixa aqui é unica, principalmente considerando a diversidade das musicas.
I'm not a huge fan of progressive rock, but I do have a great deal of appreciation for the talent the musicians have and their ability to compose and play this music. It's mind blowing.
classic prog record
Really unique, and I enjoyed it a lot
21st Century Schizoid Man is great track, not so keen on the free style jazz
I talk to the wind, don’t you know
Amazing find. Amazing album.
Not terrible!
Amazing.
En juvel!!
No thanks
Interesting and unusual
Starting off with the sample to a Kanye song, very neat! 21st Century Schizoid is a certified jam. Singer's voice is amazing. Very interesting mix of heavy metal, classical, and jazz(?), reminds me of S&M. This album sounds like it could have been released today. This album is amazing. I like the story-telling aspect to it, reminds me of Rime of the Ancient Mariner. The Moonchild interlude goes a bit long, but that's the only blemish I could point out. I love this list for albums like this where I have never heard of the band. There are a lot of masterpieces to discover.
21st Century Schizoid Man really kicked things off with a bang. Then I enjoyed the slowed down more instrumental middle. Whatever that is called that was happening in Moon Child had me on the edge of my seat waiting for it to start up again which it certainly does during Court of the Crimson King. Love this album and happy it was brought up because I have heard of it but never listen to it once.
Ah the classic r/vinyljerk album cover. Love it. I've listened to this before but never really paying as much attention to it as I should've Only know 21st Century Dude and the Court of the Crimson King. Leggooooooo No one man should have all that POWER! What an awesome sample. 21st Century Schizoid Man rules. Just some finger-lickin' jams. I have gained such a respect for my favorite of the woodwinds, ze flute (thanks Stu Mac). Dude fucking kills it on this track with it. Epitaph would be a great song to use in a film. Thinking Tarantino. Fun fact Space Jam got its name from Moonchild. Wiggly is the word I'd use. I really like that every song seems to have a different instrument that sticks out. Saw Claypool Lennon Delirium cover The Court of the Crimson King and have been in love with this song since. That fucking flute and the drums are so fucking good. This is some baller ass prog rock. I'll be back
Opening track is an all time classic, album has only one way to go from there. The rest of the album is good but can’t match what 21st century schizoid man brings
The granddaddy of prog! 21st Century Schizoid Man's opening is easily the most iconic thing to ever grace the genre and it's insane. Nothing feels awkward which is crazy for such a foundational text. Even Moonchild becomes a nice little interlude after a few listens. Obviously worthy of 5 stars (but it's not their best album...).
This was difficult to find something to like. I tried every track, and nothing kept my interest. 1/5.
Epic tunes while still super catchy. Felt like I was listening to an orchestra play Pink Floyd. Pretty fun stuff, 5 star whynot?
I didnt know what to expect. Never heard of King Crimson. According to Youtube Music it was one of the first Prog Rock bands. They happily surprised me. The Album has a theme to it, which is quite different with every number. Nice assortment of instruments and vocals.
The album that launched prog rock. In The Court Of The Crimson King is not an easy listen and you need to be in a place to appreciate it and prog-style music. Once you're comfortable with songs longer than the 3-5 minute range and in the 7-13 minute range you'll appreciate what goes into it, similar to freeform Jazz of the 50's & 60's. 4.5/5.
Apparently this is the first ever program rock album. Some nice moments but it’s sandwiches between long sessions of noodling that sometimes meander. Could have trimmed the fat in places. Maybe that’s the point? I enjoyed the drumming and the melodic bass lines though. And the guitar part has a spaghetti western vibe and sounds like they belong in a Ennio Morricone piece.
I remember my folks having a different King Crimson album – Larks tongues in aspic. I never heard them play it. So I was intrigued when I heard this album what direction they may have taken. I definitely enjoyed select parts of this album. Some of it was a bit too noodley-woodley and a bit too jazzy. But I quite liked the trippy dippy elements. In places they sounded like Pink Floyd and the lyrics were very prescient. I liked it enough to then play Lark’s… which is way too prog rock for me. I now know why my parents never played it. But this was intriguing and compelling in places. It lost me halfway through moonchild and all I wanted to do was roll my eyes and sigh, but pulled it back right at the end. And unfortunately I don’t think in 50 years we’ve gone that far: Knowledge is a deadly friend If no one sets the rules The fate of all mankind I see Is in the hands of fools
❤️ King Crimson. Greg Lake is one of my favorite bass players... and his singing ain't bad either. Very experimental and progressive. The drums on this album are killer, too. I love the energy and dynamics delivered here.
Music sounds like something from Ocean’s 11 or The Pink Panther. Some caper movie from the 60s. Grand swells of music that make me feel like I am in some sort of magical land of long ago where dragons and unicorns exist.
This was great. Loved the drums, the compositions, the sprawling scope of the album. It was, perhaps, a little too down-tempo for too long to make me go with a 5. Another like "21st Century Schizoid Man" and I am all in. But yeah, great stuff and a worthy inclusion on the list.
I like prog, just not this album. The second tune was cool, and the musicianship was on point, especially the drums. I dig that something this adventurous is and has been popular. It blows my mind that prog bands used to sell out stadiums. But this one just lacks that certain something that I dig in such bands as Yes and Genesis.
This album wasn't as difficult to listen to as I initially feared. In fact, there were moments of pleasure and I found the sounds and words rather British in a lovely way. All you have to do is say "jester" and "court" in a British accent and I'm usually hooked. An old friend (Glenn) LOVED King Crimson and decades ago I suspect it was over lunch and a few bongs that he spun this LP. He convinced me to go with him to a King Crimson concert at The Tower in Upper Darby. So there we were 2nd row, Robert Fripp came out center stage and SAT down on a chair and "jammed" the rest of the night. It was intense hard prog rock the whole night and the sitting down guitar playing really made me feel weird. I looked around and no lie...I could not see another woman in the audience. I suffered through the concert and never again listed to King Crimson until yesterday. They are historically relevant and I like when people have extreme fans so I get why they are on this list.
Enige dat ik hiermee ben opgeschoten is dat ik nu weet dat dat eerste nummer gesampled is door Kanye West...
Kijk, dit album kan ik al veel beter hebben dan die vorige. Openingsnummer is echt te gek!
Doe niet zo moeilijk jongens, is mijn mening.
Admittedly I have avoided listening to this album so so long, I've forgotten my original reason. I enjoyed the proggy vastness much more than I imagined I would and need to come back to it again later. As I did suspect it was a little bit self indulgent but not enough to overstay it's welcome
one of the only prog albums i like
Lyrics and soundscape blew me away. A little hard to digest because of how long every song is, but it gets better each listen.
Doesn’t move the needle for me.
It's cool to see how progressive rock went from what it was in the 60's to what it is today.
Felt like I was on a mythic quest. Classic.
Banda sobrevalorada. No pueden durar toooodos tus temas 15 minutos. Tienen partes lindas y tocan bien.
So so so much better than so much of the terrible Prog Rock it spawned. 4/5
Pretty decent album
To have ever called myself a lover of progressive rock and not have listened to King Crimson's "In The Court Of The Crimson King" is a little unbelievable, alas it was very true. This album, from top to bottom, is nothing short of a masterpiece, and to think this was King Crimson's first really set a high bar probably for themselves and certainly any band that came after them. Having said the album is fantastic through and through, my personal highlights would have to be "Epitaph" and album closer "The Court of the Crimson King". Having only a rough idea of who King Crimson were, and being more familiar with their namesake through another piece of media, Hirohiko Araki's decades spanning manga "JoJo's Bizarre Adventure", I came in knowing this album was genre defining and heavily praised, and I can say now without a doubt that I completely understand why. This album will definitely go into my rotation now that I've taken the time to listen to it, and I'll have to explore more of KC's work from here on out.
Good one!
Enjoyed
One of my all-time favorites
Moonchild sucks, sonst gut
Rocked
good
Really just felt like a lot of noise.
11th May 2023 Listened half on Thursday half Friday while packing for camping with Adna, Joe, Meg and Jenny. Don’t. Get. Prog. Rock.
“21st Century Schizoid Man” is one of the best rock songs of all time and an insane album opener. It’s got that ridiculous heavy metal riff and opens up into an all-out jazz freak-out in the second half. Phenomenal. I love how the gentle “I Talk to the Wind” follows the noise of “Schizoid Man.” Great transition and palette cleanser. And a beautiful song too. I love the flute solo at the end. The drumming on this album is fantastic. Michael Giles (had to look up the name and give him a shoutout) is so precise and on point the way you need for hard rock and heavy metal, but he’s also got this light jazzy touch too, depending on the song. “Epitaph” is a prog rock epic! So cinematic. When I was 14, I would listen to this CD on my Walkman and challenge myself not to skip past the avant-garde section of "Moonchild." I think it helped me build up a tolerance for free jazz and experimental music. 😂 Honestly, it's not as challenging as I remember it being. It's actually pretty calming and soothing. Another epic one with the closing title track. Love those dramatic backing vocals. And more flute solos! 🙌 Listening to this took me back to riding the bus to high school in the morning. This CD was in high rotation for teenaged Steve for a while. One of the best album covers of all time. It might even take my vote for best ever.
Finally- a reason to sit and listen to this album! I've been told that I need to listen to it for my entire life but I never have. Alright yea this is really sick. Incredibly tasteful prog rock. Wow this is really great. It does everything and does it well. It's so beautiful at times, it's so heavy at times, it's so fantastical but also approachable. There's a part of me that wants to make this my first blind 5/5 but there's also a part of me that wants to hold back on a 5 because the one thing this album doesn't really seem to have for me is that it is lacking some real re-listenable hits on it. Like it doesn't have too many choruses or moments where I'm thinking "oh man I'll remember this part" except for the chorus of the first track (which is killer). Ultimately I feel like this has to be a 5 though. It really wowed me in ways that other albums have not on this list and I can't wait to re-listen. One of the best album covers of all time, right? It's so unique but everyone knows what it is.
Album from 69, basically considered the first prog rock album. Such an amazing blend of new sounds but also still showing its 60s flavour. Sounds like something from the future, even now. Giving 5 as it deserves another listen after this. Super impressive
Didn’t meet the height of Brit rock
Title song is epic
Meh
Yes, that sounded like they just invented prog rock.
I've been on Reddit long enough to see endless memes about the Red Screamy Man, but I had never listened to it until now. It is a pretty good album but I will continue to laugh at the memes about it.
Progressive rock? O progressive jazz rock, mejor dicho. Un poco rollo.
I’m not usually of the 9+ minute song fan category - but if you see it as a record it’s actually not too long and not overindulgent. It’s also quite surprisingly grounded given this is prog AND King Crimson. I was pleasantly surprised - enjoyed most of the album except maybe Moon Child - which while interesting - is way too sparse for repeated listens. That said it’s not my genre still won’t return to it often so hence my rating.
люблю очень
Very strong start with "21st Century Schizoid Man". I'm enjoying the variety of instrumentation - the orchestral elements, the mellotron, the clarinet, alongside the traditional rock setup. The album does lose some momentum as we come down from the first track. Cool that this was a prog rock poineer. I like it more than a lot of the prog I've heard. Ends strong with The Court of the Crimson King, though the promise of the first track was never fully realized through the course of the album.
One of the first prog rock albums and one of the best. Definitely has a schizophrenic quality, vacillating between heavy and delicate throughout the record. The opening track is worth the price of entry alone. Such a big sound.
Actually never listened to any King Crimson in any capacity, but I can see the appeal. Absolutely foundational prog sound that in some ways is better than most of its contemporaries. Free jazz as fuck in a way that I can get behind. There's definitely less typical "over-produced and over-embellished prog-rock" on this album, which is my biggest issue with the genre. Typically prog is all technique no heart for me, but this thankfully does not fit that bill.
Excellent
Wow, this was an absolute great experience. Was shocked to see the year as well. Seemed ahead of its time. Very unique, great discovery moment. 4. T3B 1. The Court Of The Crimson King 2. 21st Century Schizoid Man 3. Epitaph
Debuutalbum van Britse prog-rock band King Crimson. Heavy symphonic rock gemixt met jazz met een subtiele hint anti-oorlogsretoriek. Tracklist bestaat uit gecompileerde nummers. Uniek en origineel album dat de grenzen van rock opzoekt. leukste nummer: The Court Of The Crimson King De albumhoes is een zelfportret van een vriend van de band, die kort na het uitbrengen van het album overleed. Robert Fripp van King Crimson herkent er zowel de "21st Century Schizoid Man" als de "Crimson King" in.
Hard to believe that the song "The Court of the Crimson King" was written to be a country song. The colourfulness of the lyrics makes me want to call "Bullshit!". Country songs don't typically reference colours like purple (piper), (ever)green, yellow (jester) and, duh, crimson. But the song also references gray (mornings) and, the ultimate country and western colour, black (queen); so on second thought, perhaps I'll buy it. I looked up the word schizoid to be sure. The Mayo clinic's definition helped me understand how powerful the lyrics of 21sr Century Schizoid Man are. There are a mere 54 words in that 7:22 song. Oh yeah, this is seen and the kick start of prog rock. I appreciate the band's contribution to prog. I gave their other album a 4 after listening to it a couple of times with headphones. My headphones weren't handy for this one.
This album cover was ubiquitous in record stores back in the 70s. It was definitely a key LP in the fledgling progressive rock movement with it's symphonic sound and lengthy songs. I'm surprised I didn't rush out and buy it - must have been that cover. When MC and I saw them a couple of years ago, their sets were still peppered with songs from this LP. It's a shame the line-up more or less disintegrated after it was finished. "I Talk to the Wind", "Epitath" & "Court of the Crimson King" are my favourites. Ian McDonald's flute, wind instruments and mellotron create a lush backdrop for Greg Lake's voice and it was a smart move to have a designated lyricist. Peter Sinfield's lyrics elevate the music and combined with Lake's delivery, give the music a regal feel. "Moonchild" wanders off after a great start but the LP is still a classic.
This debut album from KC is one of the most iconic prog albums ever and it's also probably my favourite record by this band. The first three songs are simply mind-blowingly good, yet so different from each other. From the caustic and frenetic 21'st Century Schizoid Man, to the bucolic sounds of I talk to the wind and then the magnificent Epitaph. It's too bad that they spend the next 12 mins with self indulgent noodling with Moonchild as it really sucks the energy out of the room. But just as you're nodding off, a grandiose wall of sound hits you with The Court of the Crimson King. If they had left Moonchild off this album it would have gotten an instant 5 from me.
Bestes album cover oat und ein geniales album Decent 9/10
This cover is iconic 21st Century Schizoid Man rolls The rest of this mostly stressed me out
2.5
still don't really know what prog rock is
Great progressive rock. Music and lyrics solidly matched. Was right for the time
One of the albums that shaped prog rock as we know it. Not my personal favorite of theirs but it’s one of the GOAT prog rock albums ever and experimental as fuck for it’s time.
A tighter and more carefree outing than ‘Larks’ that remembers prog is supposed to be fun at the end of the day. Sashays between near tongue-in-cheek inanity on ‘Schizoid’ to serious operatic theming on the title track, hitting every possible valence stop along the way. It’s clear the the band is enjoying themselves as they lay down some seriously impressive lines, and the fun studio tricks add another layer of melodic color and variety that give this album a cohesive feel despite its dynamic content. Just a fun prog opera romp at the end of the day, and you can’t really ask for more than that.
Psychedelic rock and progressive rock are always kind of hit or miss, and this album is no different. There were a lot of places where I felt like I was just getting impatient for something interesting to happen and other places where I was wowed by what I just heard. No doubt this was influential and I think this might get better on repeated listens but on this listen it was just a little above average overall. 3.5 stars
This is probably the greatest prog-rock album of all time.
Art. I hope this album will be forever remembered, because it is an iconic and essential progressive rock album. So many things to like here - the percussion, the guitars, the synths, the use of silence and phrasing. It was released incredibly early in the timeline of progressive rock and helped pioneer the genre. Fave tracks: 21st Century Schizoid Man, The Court Of The Crimson King (but preferably listen to the album front to back)
Oh man, I love this album so much. An incredible debut from Prog giants King Crimson. Such a good blend of rock, jazz, psychedelic and symphonic sounds, this thing is larger than life. The influence of this album is far reaching, many great prog bands cite it as inspiration, and the first track was even sampled by Kanye 40 years later. Definitely deserves to be on any greatest albums list. Fav Tracks: 21st Century, I Talk to The Wind, Epitaph, In the Court of the Crimson King
Rock suave con influencias un tanto psicodélicas. Buena voz e instrumentalmente bien elaborado.
Really fun and super easy to listen to while working as it was mostly instrumentals.
An absolute classic, with a surprisingly rich texture and flawless production. However it has Moonchild. A great record.
Praised as the finest progressive rock album of all time. At one point it's jazzy, frantic, and surreal. The next moment is reflective, taking a break from the unstable energy of the previous track. King Crimson took excellent care to pace their album, such that the flow from one track to the next without giving the listener whiplash. My issue with In The Court Of The Crimson King is that the core body if it mostly bores me. I think the opening track is exciting and deserves every bit of praise. Going from the excellent movement of 21st Century Schizoid Man to the run of I Talk to the Wind, Epitaph, and Moonchild brings the album down. If they had removed Moonchild (which is a fine track), then it would've had more room to work with. There is no doubt in my mind that In The Court Of The Crimson King is a well-written, well-composed, and well-performed album. I can easily see why it is heralded as the best of all time. My grief is that much of the momentum built up from the first track is lost and then never recovered.
If I had heard this during my formative years, it would have been a favorite. Glad I finally learned of its existence.
extremely influential, and impressive progressive rock
Yes yes. It’s everyone’s favorite. I get it. Epitaph is the strongest, schizoid man is decent, court of the crimson king is wild but also alright. I dig the instrumental in I talk to the wind. I fully understand how this would have been groundbreaking when it debuted, it is creative and very intriguing and takes some crazy risks with the wild horns, rock licks, and jazziness. For me it lacks the overall cohesion and is not set on a coherent direction. I got lost and bored, but ultimately enjoyed some portions.
I liked their main song "In the Court of the Crimson King". It was a kind of calming album for the most part. I was able to get into the "world" of the album. 3/5
The best debut album ever, and also one of the most important albums in history ❤️
Weird, menacing at times, and trippy as hell. A fun ride!
very different, but enjoyable
-21st Century Schizoid Man- Bryant: Starting off strong here. Lots of early 70s vibes. Iron Man feel. Now we're off on a journey to funky town! I definitely didn't get enough sleep last night. Nap time? Feels more PsyRock than ProgRock. I don't hate it, but it wouldn't make it onto a playlist of mine. Erica: I could have done without the rambling middle, but it fits with the schizoid theme. The drummer is pretty excellent. -I Talk to the WInd- Bryant: This is different. I like it when they do the muffled mics on the drums to give them a softer sound. This feels Paul and Art vs Beach Boys. Erica: I was missing the flute from yesterday, glad we got that back. It's a pretty song though. I need to stop staring at that uvula. -Epitaph- Bryant: Dramatic intro. I wish the vocals were more forward. I like this one. --9Erica: I like the beginning, it's melancholy and broody. I like it, I'd listen to a radio cut. Reminds me of a Flight of the Conchords song. -Moonchild- Bryant: Very Bond-theme-esque. Half-way through and I think this one could end now. Yeah, that was a song. Erica: I feel like if you're to have a rock band, your lead singer shouldn't sound like he's quietly singing hymns. If you look at the contemporary bands in prog-rock, this is less cohesive and doesn't stand-out. -The Court of the Crimson King- Bryant: This is more like it. That's the best on the album so far. Erica: That one was probably maybe my favorite. But like... the radio cut. End notes: This one is another one I don't understand why it made the list. I guess if it's 1001 albums there's gonna be some questionable stuff. An album with one pretty good song that is about 6 minutes too long.
In The Court of the Crimson King by King Crimson Going in let it be known that I’m not a prog rock kind of guy. There are a few decent songs on here as far as melodic beauty goes but then there is also just schizophrenia. Too much schizophrenia. And a meandering song called Moonchild that just sounds like all the background bells and whistles from THE ENTIRETY of Mr. Rogers Neighborhood in a 10 minute track. The title track is half fun and half meandering. I know prog rock is meant for meandering but a little editing down would make this song in particular more accessible (to folks like me) but I get it. Overall, the first track is just too off the wall for me. The next two were actually kind of nice and chill. The Moonchild one is fucking weird but the last song was (mostly) somewhat enjoyable. I’m not shitting on it but I’m ok. It has its place and I am glad I listened to know what this is. Doubt I’ll give it a re-listen, though. Then I listened to it again after I got high and I understood it better. Go figure.
Very enjoyable. Technically not an album though...
Legendary
I don't typically like long, mellow rock albums like this, but there's just something so endearing about this one. The music was phenomenal and even with the length of the tracks it never dragged in the way similar albums have for me. Top tracks: Moon Child and The Court of the Crimson King.
Prog rock that actually feels progressive. I liked it more that I was expecting to.
A somewhat overrated album that does actually get better with each listen.
Great opening song, they seem way ahead of their time. Awesome album.
ok
Manic Schizo didn’t sound like 1969 but the rest sounded like knock off moody blues
4+/5
Disclaimer: didn’t fully listen so will have to come back to this Enjoy it?: Not really, I can understand why people would though Favourite song: didn’t have one
Love red screamy man
Nice rock vibe. Good for roadtrip
Det var okay, men lidt småkedeligt undervejs.
Very interesting album. I did not expect all of the jazz solos/themes/improvisations as all I knew was this was a prog rock classic. A bit long but there are multiple tracks I will be returning to.
Has some moments that feel very Beatles adjacent to me. Overall a good listen, think I heard this album about 6 months ago previously randomly. Good stuff
Like it more than I thought I would. Still don’t know that prog rock is for me. Epitaph was my favorite track.
еле дослушал ужасно скучно, неинтересно, затянуто; только трек I Talk To The Wind выделился своей флейтой пока самый тяжелый для прослушивания альбом
Ебучая классика прог рока. Не понял претензий по выебонистости, учитывая что это суть жанра : усложни все что слишком легко и попсово звучит. А обложка - это Мега сексуально Алкоальбом: ты под котиками разговариваешь с друзьями под пиво о смерти человечества
Кажется, что с кем-то мы уже обсуждали King Crimson в контексте того, что это очень культовая группа и тд, и тп. Не слушал до этого осознанно их, но не исключаю, что когда-то слышал. Звук офигенный: тяжелые гитарные рифы здесь отлично дополняются духовой секцией, из-за чего на выходе получается очень обволакивающий объёмный звук. И для 1969 года это прям, имхо, шедеврально сведенная работа. С одной мааааленькой оговоркой: мы не будем забывать про любовь к всратому стерео. Я понимаю, что на мониторах это звучит ещё круче, но скиньтесь пж на них тогда мне... Очень классная флейта в I Talk To The Wind. По вайбу напомнило, как играет Ян Николенко в кавере на БГшную "Аделаиду". Даже слишком похоже, думаю, это один из источников вдохновения. Иногда треки перетянуты. 12 минут Moonchild - это было уже слишком. В остальных треках тоже иногда надоедало к концу, тем более когда вот это томительное ожидание сводится к повтору прошлой части. Но в целом, альбом классный. Для 1969 года - вообще пушка страшная.
Как же я заебался. Точно не худший альбом, ибо мелодика есть какая-то и в отрыве с перерывом в неделю может и норм, но ЭТО УЖАСНО НУДНО, СОЛО НЕ ОПРАВДЫВАЮТ ВЛОЖЕНИЯ И ВЫЕБОНОВ ОСОБО НЕТ!!!
It’s a nice enough album for its day.
Pretty chill
One of the top prog albums
Though the rest of the album doesn't quite measure up to the FANTASTIC opening song, it kept my attention throughout. Just some great music and experimenting with genre mixing in a way that was not only interesting, but still pleasant to listen to
It was weird but in a good way.
This album was like if you took the weirdest Pink Floyd stuff and made it weirder and worse. A couple songs I jammed to but otherwise this was chaotic.
This was more up and down than their previous but I still rate it.
You know what, this redeemed King Crimson. First track is a banger. Middle songs get kind of jazzy. Works for me. Could see myself revisiting it.
First of all, the cover art. Outside and inside. I'm not a fan of ranking or rating anything to do with art -- music or visual or otherwise -- so I'm speaking exclusively from my own subjective experience when I say it's one of the greatest album covers of all time. I owned this record as a teen and used to get lost in the paintings on the outside and inside. Now, the album, musically. The older I get (now in my mid-50s) and the further I travel along my own music-learning journey -- I am a relatively early-stage guitarist (a little over three years in now) and music student (taking courses via Berklee Online in guitar, music theory, harmony, etc.) -- the more I appreciate the creativity, skill, and innovation I hear in this album. I listen to a wide variety of music, thanks in part to this wonderful project, and although I really do cut across as many genres as I can, jazz still has the largest share of my listening ear. Unskilled as I am as a musician, and still-at-this-point relatively untrained as my ear is, I find an endless source of artistic fascination in all music, especially jazz. My ears are drawn more and more to being challenged and surprised. Even though this is King Crimson's debut album, and they were so young at the time, it's incredible. So rich, so dark, so intricate. I need to dive deeply into the rest of their catalog, of course. I know the personnel changed a lot over the years, but they've always had founding member Robert Fripp. Robert Fripp fascinates me. I have not yet read it, but I did get his recent book, The Guitar Circle, because every time I learn about him or hear him in an interview, it's always so interesting to me. And the way he plays so inventively and so very much in his own way. I just read the full Wikipedia entry on Robert Fripp. I knew he had done so much, but I didn't realize it is THAT much. Whoa. Brilliant, brilliant stuff here. Brilliant!
I knew I wouldn't like this when I saw 8 songs in 67 minutes and I was correct. Flute and triangle solos? WTF?? I'm not even sure what genre of music you consider this shit......... Just terrible. Just like the Alabama Crimson Tide. They got a got a guy responsible for a woman's death still playing b-ball. But that's Alabama for you. Win at all cost, even if you kill someone. And make sure you marry family member....the Alabama way.....good God, they should just firebomb that state and hit Florida too. Maybe just the area the orange dude and his family live. A big no for me 0 0
Red Screamy Man is such a meme in the vinyl community that I was stoked to see this because I've never actually heard it. To me this suffers from the same issues as other prog bands like Yes or ELP which are they have a few (or one) super cool song and then like 3 songs with just like, bird sounds and noise. New prog > OG Prog. 2.
3.5 Despite being one of the most memed albums of all-time (probably second only to In the Aeroplane Over the Sea), I had never heard this before in whole, just the song 21st Century Schizoid Man and the nightmare-fuel album art. Idk, I’m mixed here - this was a ride. I’ve always kind of liked the first song, so I knew what I was getting into there. Between the distorted vocals, blasts of saxophone, and thundering guitar riffs, it’s a great prog rock track. Then, all of a sudden things really slowed down and devolved into boring soft rock on I Talk to the Wind. The song just feels out of place, like it was lifted from a Buffalo Springfield album or something. However, just as I was losing interest, Epitaph came in hard, and was a song that really made me go “Oh, this is what all the hype is about.” The atmosphere it builds is among the best I’ve ever heard, and you can almost physically feel the musical soundscape you’re in while listening… so it’s a shame it leads into the bullshit that is Moonchild. Moonchild is the equivalent of seeing a painting of a square at an art gallery and thinking to yourself “I could have made that”. Imagine the looks you’d get if you were given the aux cord and put this on… and I say that as a Bright Eyes fan. And it’s not like this is a brief transition track or anything, this is like 25% of the album’s runtime. But, just as I was over it, things drastically shifted AGAIN with an absolute banger of a closer in The Court of the Crimson King, which I really don’t think can be described as anything short of epic. Even long after I finished my listening, I couldn’t get the chorus out of my head, especially with that huge crescendo on the delivery of “KINGGGGGGG”. If I was a bigger Beatles fan, this album would probably remind me of The White Album - moments of brilliance between moments of wtf, though the production on this is miles ahead. So anyway, all that being said, this is really hard to rate. Like when it’s good, it’s REALLY GOOD, but when you don’t like two of the tracks on a five track album, how much can you say you really like it? I’m pretty sure that’s a failing grade in school. Was going to give 3/5 accordingly, but I do think that undercuts the great moments a bit, so bumping up a half point.
A combination of weird music you listen to when high, saxophone sex, and decent musical ideas.
Art rock / prog rock, the early edition. The first and last songs are perfect.
Didnt fancy today's album and boy am I glad to have come to this instead. The first time an album I didn't know at all has landed in five territory. It's a magical musical carpet ride that takes you through about seven different states every seven minutes. Brilliant.
Nah
En klassiker.
Cool psychedelic album. Really good sound.
Radiohead before Radiohead, Floyd before they made up their mind.
For an album praised for it's drumming, 20th Century Schizoid Man found the absolute fartiest drum tone. King Crimson says yes to every musical idea. This is not a good thing, as we're left with bad genre explorations (now it's free jazz, now it's classical, now it's hard rock) which don't fit together, forcing me to listen to lyrics that sound like they were ripped from some guy on a sci-fi fanfiction site's "brilliant novel that can't get published because it's just so out there, man." This record is what it sounds like if a Renaissance Faire got stoned.
Prog all the way here. Impressive musicianship combined with musical tripe doesn't win me over. It just sounds contrived to show off how well they can play. And yes - they really do nail the jazz work but it seems to go nowhere.
In my years I had a pre-conceived notion that I had an eversion to prog, maybe I did at a younger age and over the years I've come to love a lot of jazz so maybe my tastes have changed over time and now I can sit back and enjoy the quirks of King Crimson more fully because I quite enjoyed this experience. Would listen to again. Favourite tracks - 21st Century Schizoid Man, Epitaph
Un des meilleurs albums prog de tout les temps. Un classique. 5
I get it
Seemed cool proggy stuff
10
Perhaps the greatest most beautiful progressive rock album ever. After the madness of 21st Century Schizoid Man, comes the melodic beauty of the rest of this consistently gorgeous album. The melodies are so sweet and poignant that they endure still some 50 years later. Prog rock should have just stopped and left this as the near perfect peak of its existence. Wow!
Honestly, I was not expecting to enjoy this album as much as I did. I knew nothing about it going in and came out pleasantly surprised at the end. All the different sections of the songs are really something to marvel at. I know this came out a long time after this album but it reminds me of how Jesus of Suburbia and Homecoming by Green Day do the same thing. They're both over 9 minute songs and you'd think, "Oh this is gonna be basically the same thing all the way through," but the way it changes tone and really tells a story through the song is very similar.
60s cliche
Good memories came back. I enjoyed the first and the last song of the album. 21st Century… is an amazing one!
I know this is a prog nerd staple, and I have a feeling I've looked it up at some point in the past, but can't be sure. I'm going to overlook my usual frustrated "English bands from the late 60s get 2/5 maximum" attitude for it. Ok that was actually fairly enjoyable. Pretty ahead of its time, sounds more like mid 70s prog than 60s crud. Just the right amount of flowery bullshit and decent songwriting. Barely noticed it'd been 45min. 4/5.
Ehhh too much prog rock for my tastes. An interesting listen and maybe i'll return to it someday but it's not my jam.
Absolutely blew my mind the first time I heard it almost 2 years ago. One of those albums you didn't think music could sound like that. "21st Century Schizoid Man" is a chaotic mess of experimental jazz and proto-metal where you're constantly on the edge of your seat, with tons of crazy and memorable moments. Toning it down in the opposite direction, "I Talk to the Wind" is super jammy and peaceful with its flute-based classical influence. "Epitaph" carries on that energy but becomes much more dramatic with its symphonic ensemble. "Moonchild" is literally a filler track and the only remotely weak track. It's a minimalist modern classical track that at times sounds like Indian Classical. There are cool moments, but if only it were cut down by half. "The Court of the Crimson King" sounds like what ever prog band would try to emulate, an operatic approach to music with the instrumentation providing eery psychedelic sound effects in support of Lake's gripping storytelling, and emphatic enveloping segments in between.
Amazing album!
Awesome. New find for me.
Great prog rock album, good stuff
🌞 Favourite song: Epitaph 🌜 Least favourite song: Moonchild I don't think I'll ever be a prog rock person ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ but I came pretty close while listening to this!! Very good! I didn't like Moonchild (except for the very start). It has that element of prog rock that makes me hate it... way too long, way too many random noises for no reason. Other than that every song was good! Epitaph was the only one that made me really sing along or anything though. ✨3.5/5💫
Varied from inspirational genius, to just bad. Sometime during three same song
I didn't hate it as much as the last time I listened. The cover is an approximation of the face I'd make when someone suggests I listen again. Annoying flute, sax, and guitar noodling; nightmarish.
I had heard of this band but I dont think I'd ever heard them. I really enjoyed the blues/rock fusion.
The sounds of this album was great. I focused more on the sound then lyrics because there weren’t that many (which i kind of liked). All the different sounds intrigued me and I’m just glad i had to honor to listen to this work of art.
Outside of the interminable jazzy, noodly bits this is breathtaking and an easy 5 stars So it’s a shame the other bits knock a star off
masterpiece
Long, tedious, indulgent, faux-deep. At least 21st Century Man sounded good when it was sampled by Kanye.
Excellent masterpiece
The keeper of the city keys Put shutters on the dreams I wait outside the pilgrim's door With insufficient schemes The black queen chants The funeral march The cracked brass bells will ring To summon back the fire witch To the court of the crimson king 5/5
I wasn't much taken in by the cover art but this album was pretty good. Classic rock but interesting enough to set it apart.
GOAT
Prog rock at its finest. The creativity is overflowing and the production is off the charts. The album opens so strong with 21st century schizoid man and ends perfectly on In the court of the Crimson King.
A classic prog-rock album that remains King Crimson's masterpiece. I first heard this on 8-track in our van and the title track rattled the hollow shell of the van interior even with it's shitty sound. Unfortunately, with 8-track tapes, some longer tracks are split up (mid-song) and that was the case with, In The Court of the Crimson King. Hearing on a proper stereo (or on headphones), it really highlights the details and lushness of the sound and the epic magnitude of the songs. Based just on a couple track of the key tracks, this could be 5 stars, but I felt some of the quieter, weird jazzy bits dragged it down a bit.
21st Century Schizoid Man is some of the best progressive rock I've ever heard. That song has roots in so many future genres of music. The album sinks into some sleepy bits after that, but the Court of the Crimson King is a fitting finale. This album is big, loud, and nothing if not innovative.
Didn't hate it but in no rush for a second listen.
Hadn't given this the chance before. Really good and more flute than I expected
Little too much experimentation for my liking but not bad
Peaks at “21st Century Schizoid Man” and goes down in interest after a while. The album just ends up being very slow after the opening track. I’ve listened to this album 2-3 times and I still couldn’t get into it.
Really great album. The instrumentals are cool, I think my mind would have been blown if I listened to this when it came out. It would've been more digestible if the songs were shorter, but overall I liked every song. Fave track(s): Epitaph, The Court of the Crimson King
experimental and cool with deep dark feel to it. not a great listen however. 3
Have been meaning to listen to this for a long time and just can't say I'm overly impressed
OOOO HE STEALIN. Hadn’t listened to this before but I enjoyed it and would like to go somewhere in the range of 3.5-3.7
Listening to Moonchild my housemates probably thought I was trying to summon the Goblin King. Objectively I can understand it being a 5, but jazz and prog rock pay a high rent to live in my head and struggle to get over a 3.
My ears are oscillating between extremely intrigued and borderline climaxing. They produced this in 69'?
Legendary album artwork 21st Century Schizoid Man is one I know from Kanye’s sample of it in ‘Power’, but my word what an epic opener. Probably need to listen to it more for it to warrant a fünf, but I appreciated this a lot and was very surprised that it was released in 1969, crikey bobba
Kanye knew it was big. Samples KC loads. Same as Genesis, all amazing musicians. Lineup changes throughout. Also recommend Discipline from ‘81. SoT 21st Century Schizoid Man I Talk To The Wind Epitaph 4.5/5
21st century schizoid man is a certified banger. Epitaph is my favorite track, great prog rock ballad. Beginning of Moonchild 100% influenced Opeth’s quieter/darker sound, which makes sense since Mikael is a prog rock fanboy I definitely appreciate this album more as an adult than when I listened as a teen. Some of the weirder parts of songs kinda bored me (the last 10 mins of Moonchild as an example) cuz I wanted more BANGER. But now I find them more interesting since I’ve gotten more into ambient music over the years. It’s more about creating an atmosphere than melodies.
Highlights: "Talk to the Wind," "Court of the Crimson King," honorable mention to the fuzz bass on "Schizoid," probably the hugest sound of the entire decade. The best thing about this album is its dramatic sense of transition. Crashing out of the stressful opener into the flute duet is better than either track in itself, and the same goes for the (progressively worse) dithering of "Moonchild" stumbling into a clearing and getting blindsided by the huge Mellotron theme of the closer. It has incredible *moments* that are spread thin. "Epitaph" is an interminable cliche, huge drag in the middle of the album. Everything people hate about prog is here at its start, too. It doesn't help that the band is not tight at all. It took King Crimson their entire career to learn how to lock in, and they were oh so proud of themselves for that too when they got there. The exciting synched staccato section of "Schizoid" highlights the band biting off more than they can chew, but it's roughest on "I Talk to the Wind," where the drummer Never Stops Filling. Production issues, in short. The lyrics are lovably dopey. "The wind cannot hear" always puts a smile on my face; Spinal Tap couldn't have done better. I like the idea of the album more than the execution, and I think every King Crimson fan does too if they're being honest. Grateful for their influence.
Great album overall, minus the jam that never gets off the ground * 21st Century Schizoid Man * In the Court of the Crimson King
This album has more of a historical impact that’s significant more than me Enjoying the songs themselves. Being the influencer for Pink Floyd this band/album is pretty impressive. However some of the songs drag on. With only 5 songs it doesn’t feel long but each song is unique and its own journey. I don’t love the album like some prog rock fans do but I’m here for its significance. 6.7/10
Ultimate players
21st Century Schizoid Man- 9.4 I Talk To The Wind- 9.6 Epitaph- 9.8 Moonchild- 7.9 The Court Of The Crimson King- 9.4
Song for song, it's got like a 2.5 for 5 hit rate for me ("21st Century Schizoid Man" & "Epitaph" are great, title song kinda depends on my mood), also historically this album was almost singularly responsible for inventing prog rock as a genre (compliment), even if I enjoy its successors more
So it was a perfect album to solo listen to while driving in the rain feeling slightly existential after working a shift of dealing with humanity. Definitely went into the obscure. Moonchild was my favorite. Could see myself dancing to the stars by the ocean to that
Oh I liked this. I liked this a lot. If there's anything I'm a sucker for, it's 10+ min songs that kind of keep dragging, but when done well, feel like a soundtrack to your life. "21st Century Schizoid Man" is going on my 'me' playlist, because no doubt will I shamelessly bulldoze anyone who attempts to cross paths me when it comes on.
I knew the album cover and had heard this was an epic album, so I was excited. Turned out it wasn’t much more than background music for me which only rarely caught my attention. Nothing really special here to me, prog rock has gotten better over time. Perfectly mid 2.5/5 but I give it a 2 because I was slightly disappointed.
Hmm absolutely terrifying stuff here. I just finished up reading berserk and I think this kinda fits in well. I'm thinking a 3.75, but I honestly think it could've done better in certain aspects. I'm torn between a 3 and a 4, but I'll give it the 4.
Holy fuck, this album is a diamond in the rough. Back when I was a wee high schooler, I found this thing and loved it. Now, I get to listen to it from top to bottom for the first time in awhile. I know I’ll love some songs, because I still listen to them somewhat regularly, but I’m hoping maybe I find another one to relisten to. “I Talk to the Wind” just makes me stiff in the pants everytime. “Epitaph” is perfection. “The Court of the Crimson King” is a delight to the senses. Well, I forgot the album only had 5 tracks. I loved the three tracks I named and still do. I listen to them regularly, so it wasn’t much of a new experience. The other 2 are good, but nothing great for me. Great album, can’t give it a 5 though. It’d be a 4.5 if I could. Also, 1969 is THE year of Rock & Roll, so this fits in nicely with its counterparts. This is the kind of album that ruins most others for me. Anytime a rock album introduces something other than guitar and drums, I’m hooked, and this has it in aces. I'm still waiting for that brand new album that blows my socks off.
Imagine releasing this as your first album.
Where it might have all begin for the progressive genre. I'm not a big fan of KC's entire discography, but this one is quite the masterpiece. Classical music for hippies.
One of my all time favorite. Prog Masterpiece.
This might be one of the most important album in my musical evolution and journey. I was 15 or 16 years old the first time I heard it. With this album, I discovered a whole other way to play drum. I learned that a strong listening within the musicians can be a game changer for a jam part or even for a written part. I found that an album artwork can be weirdly fascinating. I also gave a more important attention to abstract lyrics and poetry. And most of all, it was my introduction to my favorite instrument ever : the mellotron. I remember the first time I listened to this album, I have rarely felt something so strong on the first try. 5 stars is not enough.
/mu/core classic
Claasisissic trummorna e cracwkd
One description I’ve often seen of this album is that it sounds like it could’ve been released today. Certainly, there are elements that betray it being a product of the 60s, but it’s no mean feat to still sound fresh more than 50 years on. One reason for this is probably the fact that prog bands are using it as a reference point even to this day. The more relevant reason, however, which is common with every album that transcends time and genre, is great songwriting. And every song on here is a classic, never quite replicated by another band since except maybe King Crimson themselves. This is all without mentioning the massive musical talent within the band: Greg Lake steals the show with his powerful voice, not to overshadow his nimble bass playing providing great counterpoint to the rest of the music. Robert Fripp, who should need no introduction, takes a more subdued role, with hints of his unique melodic approach present in the guitar solos/improvisation. Michael Giles provides a stunning performance on drums, showing off his impressive chops not just in the bombastic moments but also the quiet ones. Not least of all is Ian McDonald, showing faultless multi-instrumental prowess on reeds, woodwinds and keys while also being the principal songwriter. The lyrical contribution of Peter Sinfield also deserve mention, illustrating wondrous fantasy worlds alongside rough depictions of war, solitude and the human condition. This line-up of King Crimson was not to last, as Ian McDonald and Greg Lake would leave the group before the release of their next album less than a year later, with Fripp taking over as band leader and principal writer from then on (even the artist behind the iconic cover art, Barry Godber, would tragically pass away a few months after the albums release at the age of 24). King Crimson then went on to experiment wildly with their style for the rest of their career, leaving behind perhaps the greatest debut album of all time. P.S. The flaw of the album is not Moonchild. That song is wonderful all the way through. The true flaw is the anti-climactic fake out ending of The Court Of The Crimson King. Why they decided to put that one last instead of using the perfect ending that precedes it I will never understand.
Utan denna skiva skulle vi aldrig fått ELP! En (1) stjärna.
Late 60s were an… interesting… time for rock.
even in spite of the jazz influences and instrumental breaks that create an effortlessly cool, meandering tempo, In The Court of The Crimson King, King Crimson’s seminal debut that practically changed the face of progressive rock, is a bubbling pot of endless urgency that quietly brews underneath the skin of each song, so that by the time the album comes to an end, the slow walk has become a full blown sprint. it does make sense that jazz and rock — ripped from the same cloth in how they both yield to unexpected twists and turns, and yet are wholly different in pace and structure — would be sonically matrimonial, but King Crimson refuses to exist in the equilibrium. each song sounds as though their influences are clashing; their key elements here are flipped, contrasted, and then juxtaposed, designed to be at war with each other. and like an actual battle, there is no knowing where any of this songs are headed. this is most prevalent on opener “21st Century Schizoid Man”, where all sense of musical predictability is thrown out the window, and every song that follows it is just as burdened with a similar volatility: they change time signatures with almost no sense of reason; random pauses and brief silences appear out of nowhere in the middle of songs; they introduce instrumental breaks when the songs begin to climax (the flute solo in the middle of the title track is some of the most sublime); and then build frantic polyrhythmic drum sections that grate and grind. what results is a carefully orchestrated battlefield where chaos rules supreme, and the only casualties are those left playing catch up to King Crimson’s madness.
9/10 I always forget about this album and then every time I listen to it I’m like. What have I been doing. It’s great, cool variety of sounds and styles but each one of them is great