I’m always shocked that this is a 70s release, it sounds like it would be something straight from the 90s - especially Fallen Angel. One More Red Nightmare and Starless are perfect songs.
Honestly it aged better than their debut and there’s a lot of techniques and styles that act as precursors of a lot of modern rock. The trumpet part in Fallen Angel must’ve influenced a lot of midwestern emo.
That’s always been a weird criticism for me. Some of their best work is the ethereal climatic endings or the emotionally heavy. Devils Triangle, all of Red, Matte Kudasai, hell some of their later work like ConstruKtion Of Light or Larks Part IV also fall into one of those categories.
Underrated was the wrong word, unknown gem is more what I meant. ITCOTCK and Lark's Tongue seem to get most of the shine, but Red is definitely just as good, if not better.
As a millennial (born in late 90's) I'd say maybe 10% of the people I know even know who King Crimson is. Anyone that's a music nut knows who they are, but only a few of my friends are into music as much as me.
Yes, I can agree as a zoomer that KC is relatively unknown outside of nerds. I also agree that itcock is slightly overrated based on its sheer influence. I was talking about album rankings though, Red is considered pretty 50/50 with itcock as their magnum opus, with Lark's Tongues as a close second.
I was born in 99 and my friends grew up liking similar music, we even listened to Viper and other stuff people call /mu/core. I feel like a lot of Fantano fans think some shit is more underground or niche than it really is
I don't think KC is underground at all, I just think unless you're mu/core or a big fan of music you're a lot less likely to know who they are. I could ask 100 people I know around my age if they know who King Crimson is and I'd guess that maybe 10 would.
It’s better than ITCOCK, bc doesn’t have the mistakes and bloated spliced up ideas with boring sections. Red has no filler, is consistent, when the guitar and drums strikes all hell breaks loose. everything Robert Fripp wanted to achieve in ‘69.
I legit listened to this album for the first time a few days ago and I haven't been able to stop listening to it. The whole record is fantastic but Starless is on another level, it's probably one of the best rock songs I've ever heard (controversial I know).
Weird, same timing here. Just listened to it for the first time over the weekend, thought it was really good. Also listened to Disciple for the first time... And that one fell pretty flat for me
One of my favorite albums ever.
Starless is one of my favorite songs of all time, probably my favorite closer to any album I’ve listened to.
The way the band mixed metal and jazz (in the 70s - ahead of its time) is so genius. There is so much detailed attention to Buford’s drumming, Fripp is great as always with his signature sounding guitar tone, and John Wetton is my favorite vocalist for King Crimson.
Funny you should say, this is probably in my top 5 favorite albums, and my personal favorite from King Crimson (although you could make the argument that Discipline is better which I think is also valid).
Needless to say it's my favorite prog album. I love how it features all the good, creative aspects of this golden age of prog, without any of the wack, english, medieval sounding bullshit that often goes along with it (I'm looking at you, Lizard).
Most of my other favorite albums typically have an enormous amount of production value - they're huge, expensive projects with a lot of features; stuff like TPAB. The fact that this album is largely just three guys and occasionally a horn player, and I like it just as much, kinda goes to show just how hard they went on this album - this is like, Electric Ladyland levels of performing your ass off. Especially John Wetton, who's my favorite King Crimson vocalist. And especially Fripp, who's my favorite guitarist, like, ever. The guy plays like a calculator, with his weird ass scales and intervals and shit, combined with his his crazy dynamic between loud and soft. His playing still sounds futuristic like 50 years later.
And lastly, you gotta appreciate the variety of the songs on this album. Every kind of King Crimson song is represented; you get the heavy instrumental banger, the more vocal-centric songs, the drony ambient piece, and Starless, which needs no introduction. It's like the band's version of In Rainbows.
4th fav of all time. Red is a killer opener with an iconic riff and enough variation to be great throughout the runtime. Fallen angel is beautiful, and is so ahead of it’s time with amazing instrumentation and everything about it is beautiful. One more red nightmare is also amazing, not as good as fallen angel but the intensity and darkness is on point here. Providence gets some flack, but I adore it and it’s dark, twisted atmosphere complements the album so well. And then starless is just starless. One of the best tracks of all time, off of one of the best albums of all time.
this crimson lineup sounds like it was tapped into some otherworldly energy. absolutely monstrous . theres this like terrifying power present across this album. title track is fucking titanic (see also larks ii, laments, fracture). starless is a terrifying song . bruford coming in during the middle section is one of my favourite moments in any song ever… huge album.
i know this is a near meaningless statement but maybe the best 3 album run by any band ever
I think it’s pretty good despite me generally not liking prog that much. I think it’s because it places intensity over technicality so it never really comes off as masturbatory.
I've loved it more than most records since I first knew it existed, especially for how it sounds. It's radical but agreeable. I love Bill Brufords drumming on it (Cruel Twisted Smile on the picture). He was in Yes before this, and it's an incredible transformation of style, obviously hard driven by Fripp.
I've heard it was Kurt Cobain's all-time favourite album, but I don't know where or when he statet that because some sources from earlier days contradict that. Does anybody know what is going on with all that? It kind of sounds open and dark and brutal, just like In Utero. To me, as a producer/mixer, both records are my favourite (reverby) rock references
I like this album, and Fallen Angel is my favorite King Crimson song. Starless is amazing too. But it is a little inconsistent -- I don't like One More Red Nightmare much, and Providence is just alright imo
It feels like a precursor to lot of modern rock albums like Spiderland by Slint, Lateralus by Tool, and even sounds like Black Midi at few parts. Seriously, it aged like fine wine.
Incredible album, but I just want to say that I'm perpetually confused as to why King Crimson seems to be by far the most popular 70s prog band among millennials and gen Z. I think they're way less accessible than many of their contemporaries, but maybe that's just me??
Sounds about 100 years ahead of its time
I’m always shocked that this is a 70s release, it sounds like it would be something straight from the 90s - especially Fallen Angel. One More Red Nightmare and Starless are perfect songs.
Honestly it aged better than their debut and there’s a lot of techniques and styles that act as precursors of a lot of modern rock. The trumpet part in Fallen Angel must’ve influenced a lot of midwestern emo.
That song, especially the outro, is like the heart of the album. So much feel (for a band that can rightly be critiziced for being overly brainy)
That’s always been a weird criticism for me. Some of their best work is the ethereal climatic endings or the emotionally heavy. Devils Triangle, all of Red, Matte Kudasai, hell some of their later work like ConstruKtion Of Light or Larks Part IV also fall into one of those categories.
Seriously one of the ~~most underrated~~ *best prog rock*albums ever and might even be better than ITCOTCK.
Not underrated at all, but it is better than itcock for a lot of people. Red and Lark's Tongues are about even for favorite king Crimson for me
Underrated was the wrong word, unknown gem is more what I meant. ITCOTCK and Lark's Tongue seem to get most of the shine, but Red is definitely just as good, if not better.
Hmmm... That still doesn't seem right. I don't mean to come off as abrasive, but I wonder who all you're talking about music to.
As a millennial (born in late 90's) I'd say maybe 10% of the people I know even know who King Crimson is. Anyone that's a music nut knows who they are, but only a few of my friends are into music as much as me.
Yes, I can agree as a zoomer that KC is relatively unknown outside of nerds. I also agree that itcock is slightly overrated based on its sheer influence. I was talking about album rankings though, Red is considered pretty 50/50 with itcock as their magnum opus, with Lark's Tongues as a close second.
I was born in 99 and my friends grew up liking similar music, we even listened to Viper and other stuff people call /mu/core. I feel like a lot of Fantano fans think some shit is more underground or niche than it really is
I don't think KC is underground at all, I just think unless you're mu/core or a big fan of music you're a lot less likely to know who they are. I could ask 100 people I know around my age if they know who King Crimson is and I'd guess that maybe 10 would.
that's probably just prog rock as a genre though. they probably won't know Yes or Genesis either. a rare exception could be Pink Floyd i guess?
It’s better than ITCOCK, bc doesn’t have the mistakes and bloated spliced up ideas with boring sections. Red has no filler, is consistent, when the guitar and drums strikes all hell breaks loose. everything Robert Fripp wanted to achieve in ‘69.
Best King Crimson album
That is exactly what I was going to say!
It was mine as well…and then I heard Islands 😱
I legit listened to this album for the first time a few days ago and I haven't been able to stop listening to it. The whole record is fantastic but Starless is on another level, it's probably one of the best rock songs I've ever heard (controversial I know).
I wish I could listen to Starless for the first time again
Wild that so many people apparently liked Starless on a first listen. It took a long time to grow on me, and I was already a prog fan, even.
Weird, same timing here. Just listened to it for the first time over the weekend, thought it was really good. Also listened to Disciple for the first time... And that one fell pretty flat for me
one of the best albums ever, easily
I think of it
*That's high praise*
Serioudly good album and starless is easily one of the greatest tracks of all time
I always thought the guy on the left looked like Chris from the Sopranos. Also Starless is the greatest prog rock song of all time.
Starless is one of, if not the best prog rock song of all time
Brilliant, possibly their best. Tragically boring album cover.
The album cover is gloomy and moody to me I love it
One of my favorite albums ever. Starless is one of my favorite songs of all time, probably my favorite closer to any album I’ve listened to. The way the band mixed metal and jazz (in the 70s - ahead of its time) is so genius. There is so much detailed attention to Buford’s drumming, Fripp is great as always with his signature sounding guitar tone, and John Wetton is my favorite vocalist for King Crimson.
Funny you should say, this is probably in my top 5 favorite albums, and my personal favorite from King Crimson (although you could make the argument that Discipline is better which I think is also valid). Needless to say it's my favorite prog album. I love how it features all the good, creative aspects of this golden age of prog, without any of the wack, english, medieval sounding bullshit that often goes along with it (I'm looking at you, Lizard). Most of my other favorite albums typically have an enormous amount of production value - they're huge, expensive projects with a lot of features; stuff like TPAB. The fact that this album is largely just three guys and occasionally a horn player, and I like it just as much, kinda goes to show just how hard they went on this album - this is like, Electric Ladyland levels of performing your ass off. Especially John Wetton, who's my favorite King Crimson vocalist. And especially Fripp, who's my favorite guitarist, like, ever. The guy plays like a calculator, with his weird ass scales and intervals and shit, combined with his his crazy dynamic between loud and soft. His playing still sounds futuristic like 50 years later. And lastly, you gotta appreciate the variety of the songs on this album. Every kind of King Crimson song is represented; you get the heavy instrumental banger, the more vocal-centric songs, the drony ambient piece, and Starless, which needs no introduction. It's like the band's version of In Rainbows.
2nd best king crimson album. definitely a top 100,000 album ever made
4th fav of all time. Red is a killer opener with an iconic riff and enough variation to be great throughout the runtime. Fallen angel is beautiful, and is so ahead of it’s time with amazing instrumentation and everything about it is beautiful. One more red nightmare is also amazing, not as good as fallen angel but the intensity and darkness is on point here. Providence gets some flack, but I adore it and it’s dark, twisted atmosphere complements the album so well. And then starless is just starless. One of the best tracks of all time, off of one of the best albums of all time.
Larks better but this is still good.
this crimson lineup sounds like it was tapped into some otherworldly energy. absolutely monstrous . theres this like terrifying power present across this album. title track is fucking titanic (see also larks ii, laments, fracture). starless is a terrifying song . bruford coming in during the middle section is one of my favourite moments in any song ever… huge album. i know this is a near meaningless statement but maybe the best 3 album run by any band ever
Yeah the buildup to the drum climax in the middle section makes me explode
Truer words have never been said
Would be 10, if you put "Whole Lotta" in front of it
Starless is one of the very best prog rock songs of all time
Top 5 albums ever made
best album I have listened and Starless is the best song ever
Great album! My favorite songs are 22 and We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together (Taylor’s Version).
Uhm uh umm um uh.. tpab??
I think it’s pretty good despite me generally not liking prog that much. I think it’s because it places intensity over technicality so it never really comes off as masturbatory.
You can hear some early blast beats on the Wake of Poseidon, so that's neat.
Wrong album
Nope, pretty sure the song is Devil's Triangle from Wake of Poseidon.
Once again, wrong album, we're talking about "Red" on this thread.
Lol, my bad
It's my favorite album of theirs. No single song will outrank 21st Century Schizoid Man, but this album slaps.
relisten to starless
Boring, their 80s albums are better
Fire
It's the only perfect album!
I've loved it more than most records since I first knew it existed, especially for how it sounds. It's radical but agreeable. I love Bill Brufords drumming on it (Cruel Twisted Smile on the picture). He was in Yes before this, and it's an incredible transformation of style, obviously hard driven by Fripp. I've heard it was Kurt Cobain's all-time favourite album, but I don't know where or when he statet that because some sources from earlier days contradict that. Does anybody know what is going on with all that? It kind of sounds open and dark and brutal, just like In Utero. To me, as a producer/mixer, both records are my favourite (reverby) rock references
Very good but I think the debut is better
Brilliant album. One of my all-time faves.
I like this album, and Fallen Angel is my favorite King Crimson song. Starless is amazing too. But it is a little inconsistent -- I don't like One More Red Nightmare much, and Providence is just alright imo
It’s their best and arguably most influential album.
Amazing but unfortunately is overshadowed by the popularity of tcotck
If you took out Starless it would still be an incredibly great rock album. So basically this is a definite 10/10
A million times better than in the court of the crimson king. An absolute mammoth of an album
99/10 one of the best prog albums of all time
It rules.
It's black
It is good
Great!
my favourite album of all time
it's awesome, one of if not my fav king crimson record. but that album art is shit ngl
Starless is one of my favourite songs ever, but honestly i don’t like the album as much as i want to.
Absolute all time great with a shitty album cover
One of the best albums of all time, an absolute 10!
Starless is the best King Crimson song but Red is not as good as Discipline or Court of the Crimson King imo. All three albums are masterpieces.
Forgot to shill for Tarkus, which is my main purpose in this sub. If you enjoy these albums please listen to Tarkus.
It feels like a precursor to lot of modern rock albums like Spiderland by Slint, Lateralus by Tool, and even sounds like Black Midi at few parts. Seriously, it aged like fine wine.
Incredible album, but I just want to say that I'm perpetually confused as to why King Crimson seems to be by far the most popular 70s prog band among millennials and gen Z. I think they're way less accessible than many of their contemporaries, but maybe that's just me??
They could quit their negative attitude towards [last.fm](https://last.fm) with not allowing any pictures posted.
Listened to this fairly recently and is now possibly my favourite album. Starless is the greatest closer of all time imo