In The Court Of The Crimson King

Moonchiiiiild

4/5. Quickly becoming one of my favorite albums on this list. "21st Century Schizoid Man" and "The Court of the Crimson King" are classics. The rest are great.

A classic! Some songs are absolute classics of progressive rock, but some are just plain weird, similar to some of the weird Zappa stuff. Hence 4 stars

Interesting and definitely not something I would have sought out personally but I can see why it appeals to so many. I felt as if I was listening to a fairy tale than just listening to music.

I enjoy this just a little less than Dark Side, and if nothing else that fact reminds me that I'm a bit silly and not all I'm cracked up to be.

Already listened to it, very good early prog rock

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iR9uEja0dOc

Album is nuts, can tell this influenced later works from many other bands

This is the second time I have heard it. I really liked it the first time, now I am thinking that this is brilliant. Can’t wait to hear more of it. 4/5

Yes, it’s not a bunch of three-minute pop songs, but no it’s not classical music either (nor a classical rock fusion). In fact, it’s really not that weird or challenging at all. Which might be another way of saying times have caught up to King Crimson. “21st-century Schizoid Man” is accessible, not that arty and pretty dumb overall. “I Talk to the Wind” and “Epitaph” are a lot more interesting, but not so way out there besides their length. “Moonchild” seems more indulgent than innovative. Title cut is pretty pretentious but still worth hearing; the reaching for heaviness feels earnest, in other words. Just not that different for such a cult-y and allegedly obscure classic. The cover art feels like heavy metal, or maybe prog rock’s breakthrough gestures have just become the norm. Still, extra points for originality (even when it wasn't in the band's best interest) and influence (not all of which was propitious).

Didn't discover this album until last year, and I was immediately stunned by how great it is. It's a psychedelic rock album, but it's also Jazz and experimental and electronic. I've listened to this album front to back a dozen times and still find things I love.

When it's good it's easily a 5, but then half way through it goes like weird free-form jazz and a man is just tinkeling on the piano and it really break it up (and I would say detracts from the album) but when it hits its an easy 5 stars. 21st century schizoid man is amazing. Overall a 4 cause it hits more than it misses

I can't really explain why this worked for me when other similar albums haven't, but it did. I listened to it three times in a row. It would be perfect if it weren't for track 2. Best track: Epitaph

Surprising

This album was really cool! Definitely nailed the "genuinely interesting" side of weird music. Favorite track: 21st Century Schizoid Man

Unexpected but very good ! This is what you can call an album. The songs on their own are good but together as an album they are even better. Sometimes songs of 10 minutes get boring but in this case they keep it interesting and I liked every minute of it. Normally I would write down my favourite songs, but this album should be listened as a whole.

I like it!

yes, nice, added to my library

I've listened to this multiple times over the years even though prog rock isn't really my thing, guess it goes to show how good this actually is

I liked it.

The first song is fun. I don’t really know how else to describe it. I love the part where they intermittently play then stop. Really enjoyed the drastic difference between the 1st song and 2nd song. The instruments are also 🙏. I was really enjoying the first half, but got kinda bored in the 2nd half. 3.5/5

Interessante combinatie van muziekstijlen. Het is ook geen al te lang album, dus het gaat zeker niet vervelen. Leuk album!

Okay so the opening is an absolute banger and there's stuff to love elsewhere. There's also at least 10 minutes of noodly jazzbo twiddlenonsense. Even so, I managed to enjoy 70% of the album which is an achievement for this kind of progginess.

Excellent, I just wanted more of it.

I really liked this one. I remember hearing 21st Century Schizoid Man during a skateboarding video when I was younger (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1y6F1VodbM).

Well! This seems like something I should already be familiar with. Interesting to say the least. Like early Black Sabbath meets Jethro Tull. Weird but cool.

Long songs.

I understand that it's highly regarded and I like prog, but I don't love it as much as some

I have mixed feelings on this one. I actually tried listening to it a few weeks ago. I couldn’t make it through two songs. I decided to try it again and start fresh with it. I probably listened to the album completely three or four times today, and a few of the songs even more than that. It’s definitely an album that grows on you. Half of the songs I would say are excellent (Epitaph, Court of the Crimson King), the other half are decent songs halfway through and then just ramble on for 5 more minutes (Moonchild). Overall it’s a good album that gets better the more you listen

Incredible experimental record from the 60s(!) 4/5

Great album.

I love this record, my fav track is Epitaph, the whole thing gives me Floydian vibes, but with less emphasis on ambience and some very interesting guitar parts. The almost free-form jazz styles in some tracks (notably 21st Century Schizoid Man) has such a unique, fun, chaotic energy to it that I love. Also, the long track-lengths gives lots of room to expand on the musical ideas. Solid 8/10.

Excellent album ! Très bonnes vibes rock/jazz pour certains morceaux. Gros coup de cœur sur le dernier morceau de l'album "A man a city" et son solo de saxophone entêtant.

Psychadelic trip, Donovan wibes. Musical-style exposition.

Can see why its very influential to prog rock as its a predecessor for classic Pink Floyd, Yes' early 70s output, Genesis and Rush's 70s work. And while it was a decent listen and featured no bad songs, I didn't love it or come away needing to listen to it later today.

Good album

This is a gem, and the album cover is ideal for it.

4 It's really good Just a little too weird at times. (The middle of Moonchild)

REALLY GOOD - was able to enjoy it almost all the way through (which surprised me, as I didn't think I was much of a prog rock fan) but some of this album gets lost on me (such as the lengthy instrumental in 'Moonchild') and so I can't rate it as a 'perfect' album based on my first couple of listens - but I can completely see why this was included on the list of albums, and why sooo many people speak so highly of it. Track ranking (fav to least fav): The Court Of The Crimson King > Epitaph > I Talk To The Wind > 21st Century Schizoid Man > Moonchild

Mais uma confirmação que vale muito a pena ouvir mais.

Definitely a foundation piece for the progressive rock genre that grew out in the '70s. This has a much "jazzier" feel than than the major bands that followed including ELP, Yes, Genesis (Peter Gabriel version) and even Rush. Those bands were all much more "classical" in the musical bent. I like this album (mostly because of Greg Lake's vocals) but it does get a bit too "spacey" at times. Regardless, given the influence it had, it definitely belongs on this list.

This was very impressive and at its most impressive when I listened closely. These are fantastic musicians who take you on a journey with these songs. I don’t think this was the most accessible music in the world (although Kanye did famously sample the first track in Power) but like some jazz I don’t think it is supposed to be.. I would give this a 4.5 if I was able to

Pretty good

Some really cool sounds in here. I can tell why it's so influential.

Lyssnade i Gif-Sur-Yvette.

Give me that good progressive rock! This album first interested me after I got into Pink Floyd and was experimenting with different genres of music than what I was normally familiar with. 'In the Court of the Crimson King' was one of those albums I tried out, and I will admit that it befuddled me at first. There were definite highs and lows to this album, but I wouldn't ever say that it became a slog to get through. The highest of highs was definitely the closing song, which is monumental and grandiose, and the album builds to it nicely. Overall, this is a special album, one that I'm not always in the mood for but one that is always there waiting when I need a good bit of prog-rock. It's weird, it's a marvel, and it's just a great album.

I have listened to In The Court of the Crimson King more than once, and at least one or two other full albums from King Crimson as I have tried to get a handle on their music. "21st Century Schizoid Man" is a track that I will probably always come back to just because that track was part of my expanding intake of progressive rock early on. The whole track offers a varied landscape of sound as you might expect from progressive rock. Greg Lake's voice is a great contribution to this iteration of King Crimson. I sometimes wonder what it would have been like to hear Lake and Bill Bruford in King Crimson at the same time. "The Court of the Crimson King" is my 2nd favorite track from this album. The album as a whole is good, but I have less of an affinity towards the middle of the album. Moonchild" is the track that I enjoyed the least. I like the second half of "Moonchild", but the first half reminds me that I frequently don't understand what Robert Fripp is trying to get at. Rounding up to 4 stars.

I do like this album and I've got quite into it before. I think it didn't particularly grab me this time around but I think its one of those that you have to pay attention to. For memories of better listens in the past I'll give it a 4.

I love the instrumentals on this album. It is very spacy. The songs on the second half of the album are certainly longer and not my favorite part of the album.

Classic album with equally classic cover art.

Amazing. Never heard it before but will definitely listen again.

This album kicks ass. The aimless noodling on Moonchild is a bit much though. come on guys. Court of the Crimson King is just so good.

Nascent prog-rock. A little free jazz motions thrown in for good measure. Probably quite the thing in 1969.

I really loved the feeling of this album. Some parts seemed quite drawn out and it took a while. But the songs were cool and the style of music was funky

This was great well beyond the meme lol

Strangely addictive music with some very deep lyrics. Great finding.

This album was chaotic and noisy and I loved it. It was easy to get lost at times but it sounded great and every song was so different and fun. Cool album art too.

I have to recognize the musicianship, dynamics, songwriting and great production. This album has everything a progressive rock album should.

Musically brilliant and experimental beyond the Rock genre . My fave KC album is Starless and The Bible Black, but this is close .

Mostly like.

Essential Prog Rock. Saxophone, flutes, guitars, drums, all blend together perfectly to create an epic, fable-like album which goes from peaceful tunes to evil-sounding anthems.

Ah The Vanguard of Prog Rock, oh what crimes you allowed to happen. Joking aside a great, seminal album, when rock started getting acknowledged as a serious art form. Robert Fripp and co wrote and performed a classic album here. some wonderful tunes and Synth work favourites include "21st Century Schizoid Man" and "Moonchild" Greg Lakes' vocals are superb on the latter track and the former has been influential in all types of music for 50+ years now. Just if you haven't seen them take a look at Robert Fripp and his Partner Toyah lockdown videos, (Toyah & Roberts Sunday Lunch) on YouTube great fun throughout!

Came to King Crimson via a cycling blog on Facebook (‘Epitaph’, scoring Merckx’s last day ever in Yellow, when he broke on Puy-de-Domê. Real pathos. Anyway, groovy jazz funk album, precursor for a decade of the excess and indulgence that is (British) Prog.

listened tk yeah

Thoroughly enjoyable from start to finish. Has a lot of an early "prog rock" vibe, without a lot of the over the top synthesizer that later English prog rock gets. Which is fine by me...! Their composition reminds me a lot of Jethro Tull, which I also love. They seem to have a full horn line, which is awesome. They mix more classic rock with some of the more esoteric/bebop jazz compositions. Good stuff.

Likeable "old music"

Wild! The opening track (21st Centrury Schizoid Man) is like a prog-rock riff on themes from Black Sabbath's album Paranoid, nihilistic lyrics, echoed drum rolls down the set, and screeching horns and guitars. What's interesting through is this album came about a year before Paranoid did. Then, next up is 'I Talk To The Wind'; (my fav) a somber duet backed with clarinets, flutes, harmonics and a playful drum trilling and filling along in the background. Following that is 'Epitaph', which is an expansive and spatial lament reminiscent of tracks from Radiohead's 'OK Computer'. The next song 'Moonchild', just kind of slowly disintegrates into an ambient jam session, that almost sounds like they just forgot to stop recording and figured, "Eh, why not," when it came time to put it on the album. Then 'The Court of The Crimson King' ties all the themes together in an on-again-off-again crescendo. This is such a singularly unique album, and I love it!

Really good album. Liked it a lot

This album is so weird, in the best way possible. It's not particularly melodic. But it covers every facet of prog rock. I don't think it's perfect, but solid throughout.

Not quite to my taste, but the innovation and musical proficiency of King Crimson is undeniable. Robert Fripp's guitar is beautiful, as always. I love his work. "21st Century Schizoid Man" is wickedly good. A squonky, propulsive musical odyssey. Fave Songs: 21st Century Schizoid Man, Epitaph, The Court of the Crimson King

Este disco fue una experiencia muy muy chingona. Para empezar, no conocía nada de King Crimson aunque sabía de su importancia en el progresivo y algo había oído de Robert Fripp (por el 3G). Las primeras 3 canciones son cada una una joya, llenas de subidas, bajadas, virtuosismo, todo. El problema es que llega 'Moonchild' y se vuelve cansado escuchar más o menos 9 minutos de todas las experimentaciones entre percusión y guitarra… nada útil para trabajar. Lo bueno es que retoma con mucha fuerza en 'The Court of the Crimson King', todo psicodelia y letras locas. En Apple Music solo está una version expandida que trae un par de cosas en vivo, no tan buenas como lo de estudio.

Really interesting album

- Capa icônica - Perdi meu ~ranço~ pela banda - Pretendo ouvir mais vezes

"I talk to the wind" is insanely beautiful. Great album.

One of the most renowned prog-rock albums of all time, and well deserved, this album feels like a distopian future. Either way the music is spectacular, sounds recent and has aged really really well. Fav Tracks: 21's Century Schizoid Man, Moonchild.

Very symphonic and influential prog album. I'm not the biggest prog fan because the lengthy songs can make me anxious, but I give major props to king crimson.

Fantastic! I was hooked from the beginning, Moonchild was an out of body experience.

First of all, I will mention this album cover is the recipient of my "Best Album Cover Ever" award. I always find it depicts exactly how I feel at any given moment. As for the music... Well, this is as close to 5 stars (but not 5 stars) as an album could get. History wise, this album was with me, then gone from my life, then (through the unforgettable cover) back in my life, rinse and repeat. Music wise, and atmosphere wise, there's a lot of sheer genius in this album. With just a tad of "what drugs were they on".

This was a fun one for me! Loved it

Pretty sure I've heard this one before. I reckon maybe in like year 11 or something. I didn't think it was particularly memorable then, but I guess it is one of the pillars of prog rock. 21st Century Schizoid Man was sampled by Kanye on Power I think. Wonderful song. I quite enjoyed it. I Talk to the Wind, Epitaph were drained out, nothing really noteworthy. But listenable. Moonchild is avant garde, not really my thing. Sparse, just some dude fuck around on some strings and I think a xylophone. A skip in my opinion. Juxtaposed by the next song, The Court of the Crimson King, a lush intro, then a lull into the sparseness that dominates throughout this record. Then back into the lush. Beautiful. Brings a tear to my eye. So that was it. Good shit I guess. I don't think it has quite withstood the test of time like a Pink Floyd or the Beatles.

I really like the moments where it is going, and not so much the moments where it kinda isn't really? Some of the spaced out sections felt like I was functionally listening to nothing.

ANOTHER prog rock Friday drop, am I being punked? I do like this better than the Yes album, the opening and closing tracks are both pretty sick. Look for all its well-enumerated flaws prog rock can definitely be very cool. It can also be very self-indulgent and pretentious and there’s absolutely some of that in here too (looking at you, Moonchild). This stuff must go totally nuts when you’re zooted off your ass and time has stopped moving and you’re fusing into the shag carpet. Second act montage needle drop in my biopic: “I Talk to the Wind”

Het klassieke debuutalbum van King Crimson, leuk om die voorgeschoteld te krijgen. We kregen al eerder een later album, dat vooral experimenteel was naar mijn idee. Benieuwd wat dit gaat brengen. Het openingsnummer is enigszins bekend, althans niet zozeer in deze versie, maar meer in de sample die Kanye gebruikte. Als tweede komt er een wazig hippienummer, dat me doet denken aan de Amazing Stroopwafels. Wat me opvalt bij het derde nummer, is dat ze nog geen gated reverb hadden, maar wel dat effect proberen te verkrijgen. Verder klinkt het als de Moody Blues, van Knights in White Satin. Vervolgens krijgen we een nummer vol kopjes- en schoteltjeswerk. Het valt me hoe dan ook op dat ook dit best kunstzinnig en soms experimenteel is, en ook bij vlagen best gedateerd door de strijkers. Ik had vooraf toch verwacht dat het allemaal wat ruiger was, en meer de progrockbroertjes van Black Sabbath zouden zijn. Maar zeker in dat middenstuk is het heel rustig en sfeervol, en soms ook weer te experimenteel. Als geheel ben ik er niet kapot van. Zoals Eric al opmerkt, zijn tracks 1 en 5 de moeite waard, de rest is vergeetbaar en zelfs daaronder. Dan wordt de gemiddelde score al snel een 3 ben ik bang.

Perhaps one of the most well regarded albums (at least in online music discourse spaces), I am always apprehensive of listening to albums with such a legacy surrounding them. Surely any fan of prog rock will find plenty to enjoy, and I did find myself getting lost in the music at times, but I can't help but feel this album has been surpassed by the many prog rock albums/artists that came after.

The cover art is a disconnect with the music, I never would have put the two together. This isn't something I'd probably seek out again but it was an interesting listen. 3.25/5

A bit experimental and hence some good and less so

I should like this more than I do. But it just wasnt that much fun. I respect it, but I dont want to listen to it again

I guess it was just customary to have a bunch of noise right next to your music. The title track though? Next level.

I have a weird prg rock soft spot from listening to Genesis as a kid so I didn't hate this. Also I'm so tired from cycling today that it was kinda nice low effort background after catching up on Raw Power first.

Ion really get why this is so high in people’s lists. Like it’s fine. Nothing too crazy. The title song is clearly the best here

I like prog. I knew a couple of these songs. I screamed when I heard the Kanye sample.... that was something that I wasn't expecting! Around the 7-minute mark of the last song when it goes into child's toys sounds, I rolled my eyes and sighed.

Its not for me 😭

That was surprisingly good. I think in a dark room with headphones would take it to another level

Good

Not my style

Alright

I'm a fan of the rock, not so much of the prog. Solid album, though.

Some parts were pretty good and others were pretty odd. Interesting to hear the original sample used for Kanye’s “Power”

Classic album cover. First time listening to this. I would say for me it was mostly just OK but maybe if I listened to it a few more times it would grow on me. 2.5

Talvez eu tenha pego um momento bom pra ouvir esse disco, um momento de mais calmaria e sossego. É definitivamente um disco que não se pode ouvir somente pra acompanhar alguma atividade, tem que se ouvir com atenção. Rock progressivo nunca foi minha vibe, confesso que não me apetece o lance de músicas extremamente longas, pra que músicos possam explorar milhares de coisas em uma só música (tipo Dream Theater). Mas esse aqui é bem diferente.. Não vou dizer que me apaixonei pelo disco e que vou ouvir mais vezes (talvez, quem sabe), mas gostei da atmosfera, dos elementos até fantasiosos que lembram estética de sonhos (Moonchild). Da pra sentir que existe realmente uma ideia trabalhada sobre tudo. Vi que o disco trata muito sobre questões políticas, guerra, críticas. É algo bem conceitual e acho isso muito bacana. Sonoramente, como eu disse, tem muitos aspectos legais, mas ainda não é AQUILO que me prendeu de fato.

First heard this in the mid seventies when an English teacher suggested I might like it. I thought it was weird then but remember liking the title song. Now, I can understand a bit more of why this is held in such high regard. Can hear what influence this was on other music that came after that I love. But as for listening to the whole again, probably not

I would say, this is a pretty unique album, I find it quite interesting but not necessarily really a knockout. I'm not huge on the opening track but I also feel like it's very different to what the rest of the album is going for. I think this album is very open to trying different ideas. I quite enjoy the blending of instrumentation, almost gives the album an orchestral feel to it at points. I'm Always a fan of a jazzy section or jazz in my music. In general, I do feel, however, that the the improv does start to feel a bit like it's dragging on at points in this album, and it kind of makes the length noticeable. It's a decent and off album, I think if I were to give this a few more listens, I might like it more, but it's just not something that was lingering with me. Fav Track: I Talk To The Wind

Foundational to progressive rock. Jazzy elements with sax and hard rock guitar. Craziness of 20th century psych. Dissonance. Flute sounds like wind. Nice synth. Who is the wind?

Amazing new sounds. It felt like playing mario bros but with a melody that is pleasant to listen to.

Jazzy psych rock, preferred the harder sounding songs over the choral-sounding bits

60ndate proge rokk, mis kõlab isegi tänapäeval hästi. Seda albumit saaks ikka korduvalt kuulata, aga esmasel kuulamisel jääb kõige enam meelde see "21st Century Schizoid Man", mis on tuntud kui sample Kanye Westi loos "POWER". Ülejäänud muusika on ka hea, aga ei jää kuidagi pähe ega kummitama. 3.4/5

good, a little weird. pink floyd psychotic era like

Too low fifor my personal tastes - Kanye West proving again his knack for god tier sampling and trash tier humanity

A decent album. Obviously seminal at the time and a few high points even now. Title track the standout.

Of the exceedingly long song genre this album was okay. Some of the length could definitely be cut, or even divided into a separate track as they just feel like musicians fiddle-farting around on their instruments after the song is done, or a reprise. I enjoyed the musicality and probably would find the lyrics evocative on a few listens through. The kind of music I would put on in the background while prepping ttrpg content. As with some of the other albums on the list these early progenitor albums are exceptional for their place in the canon.

Album sympa, pose les base de pas mal de musique moderne, un petit coté cowboy beebop par moment

Prog rock is a thing that I have dabbled in as a listener over the years, and King Crimson is one of its earliest progenitors. ITCOTCK remains one of the great prog rock records, but I find myself returning to it less and less. Taste changes over time, and my love for King Crimson may be fading.

Einige Banger, aber auch einiges mit dem ich nix anfangen kann... Aber sicher stilprägend für die Epoche

Nice mega catchy aber zum großen Teil schon cool 3.5/5

Started OK, even pretty decent, then went downhill fast.

Fantastic album. Reminds me of the Moody Blues. A beautiful melody that meanders but the tracks were a bit too long for me. Favorite songs were 21st Century Schizoid Man, Moonchild(the beginning of it), and I Talk to the Wind.

A foundational prog rock album that is all over the place tonally.

Listening session: july 28th, while eating dinner Listened to before: no Thoughts: interesting album which must have been influential and refreshing at the time, so I could appreciate it. I wouldn’t listen to it in its entirety though because I found that some tracks were dragging on for too long Favourite tracks: I Talk To The Wind & The Court Of The Crimson King

Once they get "21st Century Schizoid Man" out of their system, I like this quite a bit.

You can't convince me to listen to this so giving it a 3 not to.spike the curve. Pls no prog. Big up my man Kanye, hope he hasn't gotten up to shit

i largely do not care for prog rock so i was a little afraid going into this. enjoyed more than expected, not too many weird noises

Very interesting and cool and out there especially for the 60s. I appreciate the vibe but gonna be honest won't be listening again.

Big Robert Fripp fan in particular his work with Bowie, great progrock album. Love the use of Mellotron.

ok prog isn't as bad as i thought it would be but it is still long and boring and probably easier enjoyed when acid obstructs your perception

Songs were a little long for me, but they have a cool sound. I couldn’t help but hear an ancestor of jam bands from them—I’m not sure if this is the case, but I def got a “jam” vibe from them.

Hmmm ik krijg bij progressive/art rock toch wel een beetje een beangstigend gevoel. Dat klinkt een beetje alsof ik nu 50 minnuten naar een onsamenhangend experimenteel tyfuszooitje ga luisteren. Maar het eerste nummer is, op de eerste paar seconden na, best wel lachen! Goh ja, de stukken waarin hij zingt zijn echt oprecht wel tof. Maar de instrumentele ztukken gaan soms, naar mijn mening, iets te ver het experimentele in.. Jammer! Maar aan de andere kant, het zal de bedoeling zijn geweest. Ja, ik vond dit eigenlijk wel een prima te behappen album, absoluut minder vreselijk dan ik vooraf had gedacht. 3 reten.

gran album todo sampleado palo te quiero toda y te amo mas

Not really my taste but well produced and very theatrical. I did like a track or two but found a lot of the songs lengthy.

Some great songs and a cohesive whole. Many songs overstay their welcome though.

I like it but there was so much empty space. Only 5 tracks, 3 bonus tracks, but over an hour long. It was ok.

The record that invented prog rock arrived in 1969 fully formed and completely confident, which is either inspiring or slightly exhausting depending on which track you're on. Robert Fripp's band had no real precedent — jazz complexity, classical structure, rock energy, and a darkness that the era's psychedelia was actively avoiding — and the ambition is audible in every bar. That ambition is also occasionally the problem. "21st Century Schizoid Man" is the opening statement and the strongest argument for the record — Greg Lake's distorted vocal and Fripp's guitar creating something genuinely aggressive that still hits hard fifty-five years later. The title track closes the album as a complete contrast, gentle and medieval and orchestral, the Mellotron giving everything its distinctive lush-but-eerie texture. Between those poles the record moves through enough genuine ideas to earn its reputation without fully earning a four. What keeps it there is Moonchild — twelve minutes of sparse improvisation that tests the patience of even devoted listeners and tips the balance decisively. A record that earns a four needs to justify its worst moments, and Moonchild is too much to ask forgiveness for. The three is honest rather than dismissive — this is cool and genuinely impressive and something worth hearing once. It just isn't something you'd inflict on a room of people who didn't specifically ask for it. Respect without love, delivered cleanly.

This actually kinda slaps when they stop fucking around and play proper music. That said, it has probably the worst album cover I've seen so far. 3.5

I call this drunk prog rock.

some of it i really like, some of it's funky, some of its honestly kinda lacklustre overall not mad, would listen again

1 good song

Seems good if you are into this type of thing!

spoko takie do polecenia w tle ale nic takiego takie okey

i don't like this quite as much as i probably should. the puttering around that happens is a trope with progressive rock i'm not really a fan of. but still has some massive moments in the closing and opening tracks. deserves to be one of the 1001? obviously

Interessanter Sound der so ins psychedlische ging, hab mich an so alten Pink Flloyd Alben erinnert gefühlt

Very Pink Floydish, psychedelic, think I'd have to be in the right mood to listen to something like that as the songs are very long

I want to like this more than I do. It's great in places, but then it also spends a lot of time in that twiddly nowhere that I dislike about prog rock.

It's ok

Difficult one to score as it’s known as the first prog album so do I give it a little extra leeway? Posh hippy fare mainly. A lot more orchestral than I remember.

Was fine! 3.5

This is the type of album that makes this project so enjoyable - discovering new albums and music that is enjoyable. It wasn’t perfect for me by any means - but a good solid record by a band I didn’t know much more than one song from.

This was some of the best instrumentals I’ve heard from a late 60s album!

wow what an opener! -surprised to hear jazz in a rock song -i love how each song is different and even though i know they're long i'm glad it doesn't sound the same the whole way through -don't think i fully know what 'rock' music should sound like but King Crimson has been identified as releasing 'progressive' rock, i'm vibing with it. top picks - 21st century schizoid man - i talk to the wind

Idk, good but missed the sparkle 👀

I didn't mind this - proggy but still tight and focused, never overindulgent

É legal, mas músicas muito longas e ai fiquei com dor de cabeça

Some very good ideas and an impressive display of supreme technical command, but dragged in places (at least for me).

Regarded as 1st progressive rock album, jazz, classical, even flute 21st century schizoid man

'21st Century Schizoid Man' hits like a bolt of lightening. The final track has a woozy majesty that's hard to resist. The rest of the album often sounds like a different, less interesting band , with ballads that are more Moody Blues meets Henry Mancini than the starting gun for progressive rock. The extended improvisation on side 2 has its charms, but not enough to help elevate the record as a whole.

This album is like "Let's begin with one of the greatest songs ever written. Got that? Okay, now let's never do it again." I'm surprised /this/ is their big one. Only one of two on this list, but I feel like I hear a lot more people talk about Red or Discipline nowadays. This made me want to check out the band's heavier stuff, which I guess I'll do after I'm done with this list, hahaha. Four 3s in a row. Run DMC better kick my ass tomorrow.

21st century schizoid man is my jam!

I had never heard this all the way through. Quite liked it. Nice surprise.

I always struggle to get my head around the fact the guy that sang “I Believe in Father Christmas” is also a member of King Crimson

really high highs but some weird ass lows manages to hook you with interesting compositions that give a sense of moving forward, only to completely change the atmosphere they have created through certain creative decisions and risks that, in my opinion, dont quite pay off

Very interesting hearing the source song for a famous sound bite. Perhaps a bit too experimental for my tastes

Not bad, but kinda “out there”. Not something I’d just put on in the background

Decent

i think most people would agree this is a definite must-hear-before-you-die album, but i don't think i was king crimson's intended audience unfortunately. that being said, the one song i did really appreciate was i talk to the wind. hearing that for the first time gave me lots of hope for the rest of the album, and while the songs after that didn't end up peaking my interest, hearing the duo version completely brought it back. the two tracks are probably the ones that sound least like the rest of the album though, so this makes absolute sense. favorite tracks: i talk to the wind, i talk to the wind (duo version)

It was kind of a lot, some of it just felt like noise but the guitar and instruments were interesting

Yeah these songs long

How come this is seen as a prog rock pioneering landmark yet isn’t a tiresome double album? I quite enjoyed it. The opener was a banger and there was far more variety than I entitled to expect.

It's a classic prog album that stays a tad too long in spots.

kijk het is oke maar sommige liedjes waren echt langdradig

Love some good prog-rock. I had heard Court of the Crimson King before. It still rocked. The rest of the album was solid. I'll probably explore their discography more. I have been itching for some prog-rock recently.

Interesting prog rock album, version on YouTube Music blended songs together to make a 1.5 album version. Likely won't listen to this again, but it had its moments.

overrated as hell but not bad

Some days I just wish I was on acid Sounds like somebody gave a preschool class drugs and told em to go apeshit on the xylophones

5/10 - Weird one hearing the original of whatever the Kanye song is (all I can think of is "gold powers, Austin Powers"). Some boss instrumentals and vocals but falls flat for me generally with song length being excessive; stretches of time in some songs where nothing is really happening and doesn't seem to further any aspect of the song. Not bad but wouldn't actively listen to again.

Rather better than I thought it was going to be. It’s obviously still a bit much, but it’s clearly massively influential and I heard precursors to lots of music I enjoy.

It's really good but it's not my cup of tea. It was very interesting the comments and seeing a lot of Jojo references so that really stood out to me. I wonder which of the Jojo's has this album.

Eh.. Ikke helt min greie.

Very well put together. Easily a well done album. Like I like my steak

I didn’t have high hopes for this album, but I was pleasantly surprised. It’s not going to be a high rotation album for me, but it’s not awful.

legendäres sample mit 21st century scizoid man, aber sonst bisschen underwhelming. 2.8 sterne

This would be good if not for one thing: it’s prog.

This album was hard to rate. Most of the songs are two-parters where half the song is great and the other half is terrible.

I can see where many of the bands I listened to in the 70s got it from, but this does all seem rather self-indulgent. It’s some far out ideas set to numbers.

This is prog rock in its essence, as only King Crimson can do it.

Creo que es el primer album de Rock Progresivo que escucho. Me gusta toda la vibra de fantasía medieval. Vale la pena seguirlo escuchando.

Baladas psicodelicas, es lo que se me viene a la mente al escuchar este álbum Muy adelantado a su época definitivamente, no parece del 1969 Solos muy buenos La voz del vocalista es cruda en ocasiones, pero puede armonizar para las baladas que vienen en el álbum Personalmente me gusta más el lado psicodelico que la parte de las baladas, pero no está mal, no es que desentone con la propuesta del álbum, más bien lo hace sentir muy diferente a lo que uno acostumbra de artistas al inglés en el buen sentido de la palabra Un agasajo de álbum 3.4

Not the biggest fan of prog rock but this is ok as far as prog rock goes. 3/5.

Ganz gut, aber für mich nichts Besonderes: 7/10. Die Leute hypen dieses Album viel zu sehr.

Fine. Long winded.

all over. experimental. jethro meets bardcore with a splash of floyd.

Hmph. Interesting to say the least. Would I listen again? Doubtful. Playlist? No. 2.5 rounded up to 3 for it's influence on bands I really like.

Never heard of this album or band. Sounds like a 90s band, so I'm shocked to see this came out in 1969. The band that anointed prog rock. Some parts are cool. Some just feel like experimental because they took too much LSD and stretched a 4 minute song into 10. I guess I should've been there in the 60s.

For me, this is a “sit down and listen” kind of album which demanded attention from the listener. There’s a lot of variety in instrumentation. A few sections felt a bit drawn out and where I lost interest, other parts were able to draw me back in. Not usually something I would listen to but enjoyed the immersive listening experience.

I enjoyed this intellectually, but I couldn’t connect with it for some reason.

Interesting will have to try another spin..doesn’t grab me right away.

Starts very strongly. 21st Century Schizoid Man is to me, the Beatles crossed with Led Zepellin. And the last song The Court of the Crimson King finished the album very well. But in between too much long meandering prog for me. In particular Moonchild's 12 minutes of prog noodling can get to fuck.

Ihan hassua proge-antiqueta. Ei kuitenkaan jatkuvaan käyttöön.

personal rating: 4/10

1. No 2. someone put this on a playlist for me like over 10 years ago and I never really got into it. This song is actually pretty nice now that I'm giving it another listen. 3. Actually kinda cool 4. I like the weird gentle melody towards the middle. Wait actually they can wrap it up now 5. not for me

A melodia, a voz, a atmosfera da segunda faixa me ganhou. Muito diferente. Triste. Melancólica. Densa. Mas o albúm precisa maturar, ainda. Rock Progressivo não costumo gostar de primeira.

7/10 - long riffs, some iconic tunes, recommended

Interesting instrumentation, chaotic and beautiful at times. Something I world have to really be in the mood to put on, can’t think of a time where it could be in the background.

Always loved this album.

킹구크림슨...베스트: I Talk to the Wind

A little proggy for me but enjoyed some of the musicality

21st Century Schizoid Man is a classic, if not in its own right then as the basis for Power. I remember it as being impossible in Guitar Hero, might need to go back to it now. Could chop off a minute or three as it doesn't really develop in a particularly interesting way. The flute solo on I Talk to the Wind took it from just pleasant to pretty good. Epitaph kinda surprised me with how much I enjoyed it. I think that one's going into (semi)regular rotation. The back half (two-thirds? hour?) of Moonchild is absolutely asinine and a real time-waster, which sucks because the actual song part of the song is really nice. At least when the last track kicks in it reminds you that music exists, even if it's underwhelming.

L: 6 M: 8 F: 7 O: 7

very 1969 english rock band. great album, i can appreciate but not my jive

Pretty dang good, some songs went way too long tho. 21st century schitzo man obv good.

Cool album, fun to listen to, but won't be going into my normal rotation.

6/10

Weird British rock

I thought this album was pretty good, but it was definitely too experimental for my taste and had a very similar sound throughout. I enjoyed it but there were definitely some parts of it that I did not enjoy as much.

it was okay... high point was i talk to the wind, i liked it more than i was expecting to like anything from this album, esp the flute solo at the end low point was moonchild after they stopped singing... it was too understimulating for me

Rest of the album never rises to the level of 21st Century Schizoid Man but I can respect the craft.

already had 3 songs peak 3.5/5

Know schizoid man which is great but haven't heard anything else before. Court of the crimson king was also pretty good too. Middle tracks didn't stand as much and there was the classic 8 minutes of random guitar sounds that certain prog bands seem to be fond of. Considering this was released in 1969, the good stuff is incredibly ahead of it's time. Balanced against the middle bits, the album is okay. 3.5.

Was ok to listen to, recognize the sample

liked

it doesn't have the version of i talk to the wind that i like

Des bons moments et d'autres bien chiants. Je ne sais pas quoi en penser

Nice background music for working/studying.

Enjoyable listen but probably won't be back for another

Overrated

182/1001 First listen. I feel like I should like this. I want to. The bands I like, like this. I like what they’re doing, I just don’t like the sound of it. The instruments. The singing. Meh. I’ll try again sometime perhaps. 5/10

No esperaba que fuera tan bueno, muy melódico con excelentes cambios de ritmo, solos increíbles, los instrumentos de viento lo hacen mucho más único, me encantó

i like i like yes yes

Hivenen liian progea mun musamakuuni. Tykkäsin eniten albumin nimi kappaleesta.

21st Century Schizoid Man - Including "Mirrors"

I understand this is the ur-prog record by reputation, and yet it strikes me as exactly right on the edge of what I find tolerable in prog. "21st Century Schizoid Man" makes the Mars Volta, of all things, sound derivative, and it's from the 60s! I liked that. Despite the hippy-dippy shit, I liked "The Court of the Crimson King." A lot of the rest of it verged into more drummy-jazzy nonsense than I'm willing to stomach. This is yet another point confirming my previous instincts that I'm extremely hot and cold on prog as a genre.

- 21st century schizoid man is a great and crazy song. I've definitely heard it before but hadn't realized that before listening. Not something I would listen to frequently when just chilling but definitely a cool piece of music - I really liked I Talk to the Wind - intro of Epitaph is great - most of these songs are too long, I was really losing it during Moonchild - Court of the Crimson King reminds me of something Jack Black would have written/sang in School of Rock

I need to give this another listen. I know it's better than 3 but I'm cranky and nauseous so it's getting a 3 for now. 3/5

I like Epitaph the most so far.

I gave the whole album three listens. It has a cool, pretty unique atmosphere, and I respect the creativity behind it, but it doesn't really click with me. I'm not that much into progressive rock, but I'm glad that I gave it a listen, tho it won't stay in my library.

Classic

Has not aged well

0/8 bekannt 6/10 Beste Songs: epitaph, 21st century schizoid man, the court of the crimson king Ich könnte schwören, dass ich den einen Teil von 21st century schizoid man aus einer Werbung kenne. Ich kann es nur noch nicht beweisen.

I've never listened to King Crimson before. I wouldn't say I loved the album, but it was enjoyable/interesting enough.

Didn’t do it for me

A little too out there and long “silences” that were nice at times but too long at other times

Prog Rock seems to have originated from this album. It demands careful listening, which I didn’t give it. Later Prog (Genesis, Rush, Yes) all sound okay to me, but I prefer music to be direct and to the point. I would prefer pure rock and roll or pop over this. It’s excellent music, for sure, just felt like the songs took forever. 3 stars

Cannot deny the musicianship but KC has admittedly never been my thing.

6.3/10 - sorry josh fav song - epitaph

голос нагадує горіллаз картинка база

I did not know that a jazz version of Iron Man existed, but now I do.

Best tracks: I talk to the Moon, Epitaph Worst: Moonchild Notes: Trippy Prog mixed with lovely calm melodies.

Demasiado desorden para mi guato

Not my style but pretty good. Long songs so you can enjoy it for a while

Nunca lo habia escuchado ni ningún álbum con este estilo que mezcla el rock con el jazz o la música clásica. Es un buen descubrimiento, me gusta la exploración musical que desarrollan, los momentos de tensión que logran con la unión de instrumentos y silencios. No es un álbum que escucharía diariamente pero que definitivamente inspira mi creatividad.

enjoyed this a lot more than i thought i would never fully listened to it till now

Done

Prog rock has always been a bit of a guilty pleasure of mine, but the last 10(!) minutes of Moonchild makes that almost as an embarrassing of a proclamation as the DNC makes being a democrat

I'm familiar with this one, and much prefer it to Lark Tongues In Aspic.

I waffled on this one because I didn't really *enjoy* most of it (especially the middle tracks), but I do really enjoy a lot of the prog rock albums it inspired and appreciate its importance. So I'm meeting in the middle.

Tä oli samaan aikaan yllättävän hyvä ja huono. Myös yllättävän vieras. Rauhalliset biisit oli hyviä ja miellyttäviä, tuli jotenkin Opeth mieleen aika paljon. Erityisesti I Talk To The Wind oli ihana. Yllättävän huono siks et raskaammat biisit oli yllättävän raskaita. Mä vaan en oo proge 😅

im becoming increasingly aware that prog rock is just not my jam. but overall a pretty good album. I liked the first song on the track a lot.

Prog rock classic but a bit too cluttered playing on some tracks

Sympa mais sans plus, je ne suis pas hyper fan des musiques sans paroles et il y en a quelques unes, mais sinon certaines sont sympa comme 21st Century Schizoid Man

Good album. Think I’d listened to it at work but still a pleasant listen. Maybe not top of my listening but nice nonetheless.

I don’t like you, but I respect you.

Es ist ein monumentales Debüt, das 1969 den Progressive Rock definierte und bis heute als stilprägend gilt. Die Mischung aus wuchtigen Bläsern, Mellotron‑Wänden und epischen Songstrukturen wirkt beeindruckend, aber auch schwerfällig. Tracks wie „21st Century Schizoid Man“ oder „Epitaph“ zeigen enorme kreative Kraft, während andere Passagen – etwa die langen Improvisationen in Moonchild – heute etwas aus der Zeit gefallen wirken.

I have listened to this album a few different times and it never hits quite like other people say it does. It's just too experimental for me. I probably won't listen to it again if I had a choice. I am glad Pink Floyd got some influence from these guys and decided to follow the more blues instead of the jazz influence

Feel that I should like this more but I just kinda don’t

Never a great attraction to this album but I know it’s an important moment in time.

Unique instrumentals that I actually like Gives Beastie Boys vibes in the first track but before that type of music was a thing, after that all I hear is Pink Floyd. I like the variance in music from track to track Feels Like an Epic. Overwhelming at times. Least favorite song- 21st Century Schizoid Man Favorite Song- I Talk To The Wind

one hit wonder

Quite interesting, but a little too experimental from time to time

Was not familiar with King Crimson’s work. Truly beautiful. Obviously recognized the first track given that Kanye’s “Power” sampled it.

Surprisingly a vibe, it was cool to hear some origins of samples from other songs I know

Never listened before, nice mix of prog, folk and even jazz elements. Didn't really grab me but pretty good

Solid and interesting.

3 1/2 Stars: And after all this time King Crimson, a band I'd always heard of but never actually heard, didn't turn out to be the death metal band I always thought they were.

DOES EVERY ALBUM HAVE TO HAVE SUCH LONG SONGS! I DON'T HAVE THIS KIND OF ATTENTION SPAN! I HAVE A TODDLER! Ok but I do remember Moonchild from when I was young and I thought I was so cool and ethereal listening to it. Definitely a save.

Very Interesting album. It’s like The Beatles went full jazz and dropped some acid. First listen was not pleasant but by the 3-4 time thru I could start to enjoy the music.

Definitely of a time but I can see why it is loved.

A little indulgent at times, as expected, but at only 5 tracks it's a welcome tonic to some of the overly long albums in this list.

First two songs relate to what’s going on now

On a sunday last summer, I had the opportunity to see either King Crimson (or whatever group of people were calling themselves that) for $5 and separately Hanson for $12, both in downtown LA. I couldn't decide and ended up going to neither. In retrospect I should have done Hanson.

The proggiest prog that ever progged. Not bad in places, but drifted off into weird introspective pseudo-Tudor twaddle a bit too often for my liking.

I'll be honest here: I never got the hype behind this album. Yeah, it's arguably the first true prog rock album, but that doesn't automatically make it great. As it is, two monumental songs bookend an album that is full of meandering and aimless songs in the middle of it. Personally, if I'm going to listen to a King Crimson album it's going to be one of the three of their 80s albums with Adrian Belew as the frontman.

Very good album is jazz rock with a lot of improv jams full of energy and ups and downs. Really unpredictable and fresh. Loved it

The beginning of this album feels like it influenced Queens of the Stone Age. It starts off as really fun album to listen to but after the first three songs if tapers off and feels like they forgot they were spending money on a studio and just started jamming and is no longer interesting to listen to. Stand out tracks: 21st Century Schizoid Man - Feels ahead of its time. I talk To The Wind The Court Of The Crimson King - This is the only song that I recognize from this artist.

Not really my style but it was interesting, the instrumentation was cool. I enjoyed the bonus tracks more than the album tracks given more of a jazz influence - this brought it to 3 stars for me.

My rating 3.3. Experimental? Yes. You can see a blueprint for other bands but beyond the first song it’s just odd.

Deze hoes boezemt me altijd wat angst in, maar gelukkig is het album zelf een stuk minder schreeuwerig. Sterker nog, bij Moonchild durven ze hun instrumenten op een gegeven moment amper aan te raken. Alsof ze stiekem moeten warmspelen. Wel een geinig album voor een keer. Een ultiem snob album, waarbij de snobs lekker kunnen doen alsof ze hier vanalles aan snappen wat aan mij compleet voorbij gaat. 3.5 ster. Momenteel staat het album met 3.61 gemiddeld net wat hoger op deze site, dus kan ik beter een 3 geven dan een 4. Wiskunde.

I know these guys are supposed to be super influential and they're on everyone's list. I've given them several listens. "21st Century Schizoid Man" is a great track. The rest of the album kind of fades into the background for me, though I totally recognize how awesome this must have sounded in....(checks notes)...1969!!!! It's hard to believe this was released then. It sounds like it came out in the 90s. 3.49 solid stars.

Opener "21st Century Schizoid Man" makes a compelling case for adding more prog to my musical diet, but the rest of the album makes a superior case for NOT doing that. You could blame the giant drop from "Schizoid Man" into the light-rock flute of "I Talk to the Wind," but the plodding "Epitaph" and "Moonchild" are more tedious. "The Court of the Crimson King" brings things back to life, but doesn't make me want to return to this. Turns out my prog diet is just fine, thanks.

Actually the only reason this song is on this list is because it has a lot of good sampling music

not bad, just a little weird

What a weird album. Different to what I normally listen to. Schizo was good. Epitaph different. Moon child was rough 10 mins of disjointed mess. Court also good. Court and schizo into normal rotation.

Not my fav but it works for work!

Wanted to like it more but the songs are sooo long

This isy 2nd King Crimson on the list and I enjoyed this more than the last one. These guys were excellent musicians and they make room for everyone to show off without getting into jam band boringness.

Maybe I would enjoy this more if I wasn't sober. Good but I didn't like it. For now, a 3.

Kule låter. Kult å ha hørt igjennom, det gir meg allikevel ikke noe stort kick.

The opening track is just incredible and the highlight for me. It gives me the same feeling as the German band Can where it doesn’t feel attached to a specific time and still rocks. I liked a couple more and was ambivalent to the other two. I can see why this album has such a following. Im not as in love as others but still a fan. Rating: 3.5

I like the artwork and there are some really melodic songs (and some less so).

Heard the first song, 21st Century Schizoid Man, I didn’t like it. The lyrics are too macabre and the harsh mechanical sounds are too chaotic for my liking. It’s unsettling, even if it’s intentional. This may be the narrator freaking out about the cruelty of humanity? I really liked I Talk To The Wind, it reminds me of T.S. Eliot poems with a man personifying his surroundings, speaking to the wind (which may be God). A man who is non-religious, though he seems lonely and just wants to be one with the world. He is trying to find some sort of comfort in God, though the act is futile - he gets no response. It feels like the narrator is in conflict with the chaotic reality of the world, and why things happen the way they do. Epitaph was really interesting as well as the narrator falls into complete despair, believing the world is doomed. Set in the Vietnam/Cold War, it highlights the futile nature of religious practices. The traditional definitions of right, wrong, good, and evil as seen by our predecessors are too simple and naive, though we continue to place as the centre of our lives. And when the one thing you seek security and comfort does not live up to its role, man crumbles as they possess no hope for the future. This conflict continues in the lyrics: "Confusion will be my epitaph", highlighting the self-destructive nature of man. I also liked this lyric: "Knowledge is a deadly friend, If no one sets the rules", as knowledge ≠ wisdom. Moonchild feels more like a retreat into a fantasy escapism because the world is too horrible to face - he is forever lonely and confused, and is waiting on some hero or "sun child" to rescue him, but they never comes. The Court of the Crimson King is also quite interesting, obviously being an alias for the Devil himself. It feels like the narrator has come to a new realisation that the reason why the world is so horrible is because we are just dancing to the tune of the devil, like puppets on a string. No wonder it felt a lot like T.S Eliot - he similarly believes humans are horrible creatures that will keep fighting. Also his religious conflict of God as He does not exist nor does He care. Though, he plays more into the macabre nature of human cruelty, mostly because of the Vietnam/Cold War context. The narrator will be lonely and depressed and everything is playing out exactly according to Crimson King's plans. https://www.reddit.com/r/KingCrimson/comments/ili08w/what_is_the_court_of_the_crimson_king_exactly/ https://medium.com/@aliinwonderland/song-review-king-crimson-epitaph-4c86928535e8

song i went back to first after first full listen: 21st century schizoid man (a ska song)

I enjoy progressive rock for the fun they have with it. They push the envelope and tool around with the genre to create unique and interesting mixes. Unfortunately, this can lead to things getting a little esoteric, and the Court of the Crimson King is not immune to this. Don’t get me wrong. 21st Century Schizoid Man is a blast and helps to define the story of the album. But then Moonchild comes along and hits a midpoint filled with what sounds like orchestral warmups. Overall, I enjoyed a lot of this, but it got itself twisted at times trying to tell a story and descending into chaos. Which, y’know, might have been the point, but that really hurts the accessibility of this album.

Alles was ich an Prog mag (das schnelle, freie Chaos aller Ideen und Einflüsse auf einmal) und alles was ich nicht mag (der Rest).

It has sparkly moments, and I do see it for most of it. It just so over hyped by a category of people, you know, the ones that fancy themselves music connoisseur, that would say this is the only music worth listening to, that it felt flat. I knew that album, I liked it more than I did the first few times I listened to it and some of it is brilliant, but some of it is also boring nothing burger adjacent, and I land in the middle. Good, important, should be here, but not as good as your uncle says