King Crimson's debut album, and the first thing that happens is that the monster 21st Century Schizoid Man brutally runs you over. What a start to a career. Maybe you need the rest of the album's considerably quieter songs to pick up the pieces and assemble you again.
This album, subtitled An observation by King Crimson, is considered as one of the most important progressive albums, and must probably also be considered one of the most impressive debut albums. 1969, right at the start of the existence of the progressive genre. Bands like Moody Blues and The Nice had been sniffing at the area, but King Crimson took it to another level. I'm no expert on King Crimson, but this album feels much more accessible and enjoyable than lot of the stuff they recorded later in the 70s (of which I only have heard bits and pieces). On later records, I get the impression there were more difficult and complex pieces, which often were so advanced that the beauty for the ordinary listener got lost somewhere along the way.
The band produced the album themselves, after the producer Tony Clarke, who among others had produced Moody Blues, had begun a collaboration with the band. Apparently it didn't work out. The band's original members, participating on the album, were Robert Fripp, Greg Lake, Ian McDonald, Michael Giles and Peter Sinfield, who was the lyricist. King Crimson's history is then filled with changes of members, and Robert Fripp is the only one who has been in the band at all times.
I really like the cover, and the artwork inside (it's a gatefold). It's paintings by Barry Godber who unfortunately died a short time after the album was released. According to Robert Fripp, the person on the front is the 21st Century Schizoid Man, while the person inside is the Crimson King. Just the cover is reason enough to own the album.
Although the song 21st Century Schizoid Man is regarded as one of King Crimson's greatest classics, I'm not so fond of it. It is just too loud and brutal for me. However, I appreciate the rest of the album. It's nothing but calm, gentle songs, progressive ballads I guess you could call them, which display a lot of beauty. The powerful and mighty Epitaph and The Court Of The Crimson King, are my favorites, if I must choose. At the same time, there is something in the sound that evokes a somewhat solemn, bordering on an unpleasant, atmosphere. The vocals, the mellotron, the dark lyrics. There is something which produces an uncomfortable feeling. It's not an uplifting album, nevertheless, you can't do anything but to recommend it. With this album, King Crimson opened the door wide to a new musical landscape.
Tracklist
Side A
1. 21st Century Schizoid Man (Including "Mirrors") 6:52
2. Talk To The Wind 5:40
3. Epitaph (Including "March For No Reason" and "Tomorrow And Tomorrow") 8:30
Side B
1. Moonchild (Including "The Dream" and "The Illusion"), 12:09
2, The Court Of The Crimson King (Including "The Return Of The Fire Witch" and "The Dance Of The Puppet") 8:48
Most of King Crimson's music is not available on Youtube in its original form, copyright laws... The first video is an original (as long as it stays on Youtube), while the second has the original song, but with new instruments recorded.
