#94

King Crimson

Starless and Bible Black (1974)

Odds are good that you already know whether you would like an album one could describe as "British jazz/rock fusion".  Each of those words, particularly the compound one, is heavy with musical meaning.

Like a lot of fusion, this album manages to be simultaneously difficult and easy to listen to.  If you actively engage it and listen intently to everything that is going on, you are rewarded with novelty and groove.  If you just want to throw your headphones on while you read, you are rewarded by comforting, structured noise punctuated by some stunning moments of musical release.

My favorite thing about King Crimson is their ability to marry the "difficult build-up taking its time to reach an awesome payoff" tendency inherent to most instrumental/experimental/electronic music with a respectable pop sensibility.  No band I can think of off the top of my head accomplishes this as well as King Crimson.

My favorite King Crimson album is In the Court of the Crimson King which is waaaaay geekier (as in Tolkien geekier) than their later stuff, but which I enjoy more because it leans more toward the rock than the jazz.  I also prefer Red, but that one is coming up later.

If this is what you are into, you cannot go wrong with King Crimson, and this album is no exception.  As solid, dark and classy as a mahogany desk, if you could make a mahogany desk out of difficult time signatures, dissonance, and ball-rocking break downs.  It even manages some removable singles.

MIX SINGLES:

(please to click into new tab or window so for better listen and read?)

The Great Deceiver

Sounds like a jazz band caught in a garbage disposal that somehow manages to both hold on to and play their instruments.  High speed destruction.  Put it on the mix that you were going to make for when you tear out that wall between your kitchen and living room with nothing but a sledgehammer and crowbar. 

The Night Watch

A haunting melody and not too much noise to cloud it, good for just about anything you will be listening to mostly by yourself.

Trio (sorry can't find it anywheres)

Delicate, sad and instrumental.  Use it anytime you need something that fits any of those criteria, if you happen to download the album from somewhere.

NEXT:

Jimi Hendrix

Band of Gypsys (1970)