I would contest that they have constantly progressed or innovated. Their 1980s reincarnation was definitely innovation, but not sure about their 1990s stuff at all. there is definite ifluence of other bvans (thrash metal bands maybe?). As for Robert Fripp being the only constant member, well it's HIS band!

Really it's been several bands over the decades, only called King Crimson because Fripp was at the helm and had rights to the name. Did you know that the 1980 band was originally called Discipline (whilst touring the material for that album), but recorded it as King Crimson? Probabably a commercial decision.

Bruford was perhaps right to leave when he did - they were stagnating. Not sure about the two drummers thing either.

I've been listening to King Crimson for a while, but seriously I have a long way to go. With a band as complex and diverse as them I think it will take another few years at least, maybe a lifetime to fully appreciate them.

I sometimes have to force myself to listen to their stuff because it doesn't exactly draw you in, but I know it will be worth it in the long run in terms of appreciation, enjoyment, and influence once I start writing my own music.

I've decided to stick to "Court of the Crimson King".
I've always thought this was a brilliant piece of work.
I never really got to like any of their other albums, apart from this one track called "one time", which is nice. It's from the Album "Thrak" which, unfortunately, doesn't appeal to me at all...
I'm glad to have CotCK, but it seems like that's all for me.
If anyone would like to suggest me another album, please feel free :)

I recently obtained the 2010 remasters of In The Wake Of Poseidon and Islands, and I think they sound ****ing excellent. :)

Hopefully their 80's stuff will get a nice Fripp/Wilson remaster-treatment next!

Wow, replies in my thread!!!

Well, I would suggest Red since it's the most amazing album in existence :D But maybe I should direct you towards In the Wake of Poseidon instead? It's the follow-up to ITCOTCK and is often seen as the companion album owing to its roughly similar structure and approach. And it's more consistent IMO.


Yeah, the ITWOP remaster sounds great! I still haven't listened to the Islands one yet. And here's to hoping :beer:

ICTCK is one of my top albums of all time. I also thought Posieden was pretty solid as well. Have not dabbled too much in other Crimson. I listeneed to Lizard, and Islands, but not enough to become familliar with them.

Your next step should be to check out Red and have your mind blown :D

Speaking of which, I started writing up my review for it a couple of days ago but I haven't gone back to it because I'm afraid that I simply can't do it justice. I end up scrapping everything I write about it.

Seltzer, I'm new here but a long time KC fan (since 1969) some insightful stuff--the only thing I'd disagree with is the use of the term "dinosaur" for KC--that implies the band became extinct because they couldn't adapt.

Otherwise, some thoughtful observations about their albums. KC is like The Pretenders in that the latter band is Chrissie Hynde and whomever is in it at the time--the same is true of KC; when all the other members left Fripp was, by default (for awhile with Sinfield), KC.

I don't know that I would call the 80's version all that innovative initially--Fripp had been hanging with Eno, Talking Heads and other bands in NYC at the time and absorbed much of their sound including taking on Adrian Belew as guitarist. While Belew had been around the block a time or two in a variety of bands, his vocal delivery was strongly influenced by David Bryne, John Lennon and David Bowie at the time (not just Bryne who was also strongly influenced in his own way by Bowie and others although Bryne's idiosyncratic delivery was a bit...unique at the time although it always reminded me MORE of Eno's vocals or with a touch of Bryan Ferry thrown in for good measure).

Having said that, I love the 80's incarnation as well which found their own "voice" bringing the influence of the past into the present and molding it into a "contemporary" progressive sound.

There's a lot of hate directed at Belew by some long time KC fans because he brought a distinctive "pop" direction to the songwriting. I never understood that--I think it was a refereshing change and Belew could be as avant garde as Fripp but also could recognize and follow up on a good melody without over complicating it when it wasn't necessary. He's a brilliant guitarist (easily Fripp's equal although is style is very different--as many here know he was hired by Bowie and even Talking Heads because he COULD imitate Fripp when necessary) and an outstanding songwriter when the muse is with him.

Ah, Gavin Harrison is also the drummer for Porcupine Tree, another "prog band".

I'm haven't listened to King Crimson much, but from what i have heard i'm not the biggest fan. It's not bad, just not something i'd go out of my way to listen to. However, i do respect the influence they have had on my all time favorite band Porcupine Tree.

Great review, you really did your research and I learned some things I didn't know.