King Crimson - In the Court of the Crimson King

King Crimson, an English band formed by the guitarist Robert Fripp and the drummer Michael Giles. Since the lineup has gone through so many changes (18 different musicians and two lyricists since it's formation, in 1969), it would almost require a dedicated biographer to actually write the history of the band. So i'll just stick to the original lineup. The formation of geniuses which recorded this historical record - a record with 5 tracks which altered he course of music since it's release - Robert Fripp (guitar - probably my favorite guitarist of all time), Greg Lake (bass and lead vocals), Michael Giles (drums, percussion, and backup vocals), Ian McDonald (keyboards, vibes, backup vocals, and woodwind instruments), and Peter Sinfeld who did not play an instrument in the record, but wrote the beautiful lyrics for this and other King Crimson albums (until Larks Tongues in Aspic).

I first heard this record when lent to me by an old philosophy teacher of mine and friend of mine. From the moment I put the CD in the drive, I was in bliss!... the first track, "21st Century Schizoid Man", started after about 25 seconds of what sounded like a train in the distance, closing in slowly and I immediately found to be a perfect intro, not only for the song, but for the album, and for the band, it sounded like something big was coming. And it really was. What i first noticed was how immaculate and creative the drumming was. As I finished listening to the album for the first time, it became my favorite drumming album of all time. By far. Though the guitars and the saxophone screamed for mercy in that song, powerful, strong, visceral, what really captivated me right away was the rythm section. "21st Century Schizoid Man" has a part which is called "Mirrors", which consists, basicly, of an instrumental part, in which bass and drums that the lead (although Ian McDonald's kickass saxophone is following them as well), in which both the instruments seem to battle each other constructively, and immediately you realize about the uncanny brilliance of the rythm section you are listening to.
"I Talk to the Wind" comes after, and it's one of the both saddest and most beautiful melodies I have ever heard. Peter Sinfeld's lyrics fit the feeling, harmony, melody of the song perfectly. A very soft, gloomy, yet full drumming sound. The high point of it, to me, is the woodwind section - a transcendentaly beautiful melody. And when you think the song is going to end (as you're listening to it for the first time), it comes back with both a stronger and faster drumming and woodwind section, ending majesticly.
"Epitaph", the first song where they use the Mellotron keyboard (a very innovative instrument at the time). It creates an immense orchestral sound, as if you actually had a full orchestra behind you. However, the high point of the Mellotron use, to me, is the track "In the Court of the Crimson King". We'll get to it in a while. The strenght in this song, lies in the power full meaning on the lyrics, and the strenght and emotion with which they are sung, lyrics such as:

(...)

Knowledge is a deadly friend
If no-one sets the rules.
The fate of all mankind i see
Is in the hands of fools.

(...)

Then comes "Moonchild", a completely experimental track, which is not quite likable in the first or first few listenings, but it grows on you as you unravel the that strange sense of wierd musicality behind it, the genius behind actually being able to play such a thing. A very peaceful song. One of the most beautiful guitar tones ever recorded, to my ears.
The closing track, "In the Court of the Crimson King", is the culminating point of the album. And, to me, is one of the epitomes of what great music is, what it should be. Everything in this track is completely perfect. A brief drum intro followed by the orchestral sound of McDonald's Mellotron keyboard, it hits you in the guts like a brick of walls, you are forced to feel it, to be immersed in the beauty and painful emotions behind the music. The lyrics are written and sung beautifuly, the drums complement everything in a perfect way. Everything is simply perfect. There's even a bit of experimentationin it, particularly in the last part of it; experimental but completely musical, which is a rare thing to be able to achieve.

This is, i must say it again, one of THE records, and no collection of any music lover could ever be complete without it. Simply perfect. This is what music should be: undescribable. Listen to it. It will change you.

My rating of this album: an innevitable - 5.0 / 5.0.


King Crimson songs:

"Epitaph" (in the album "In the Court of the Crimson King"):



"In the Wake of Poseidon" (in the album "In the Wake of Poseidon"):



Robert Fripp (live improvisation for TV):