Prog Magazine Top 100 Prog Albums of All Time Challenge. Album #30, Lark's Tongues in Aspic, by King Crimson.

 Originally posted to Facebook on May 16, 2024

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Prog Magazine Top 100 Prog Albums of All Time Challenge. Album #30, Lark's Tongues in Aspic, by King Crimson.

For info about the Challenge see this post: https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=6684569734933012&id=100001401549636&mibextid=Nif5oz

When sharing your thoughts about this album, use the following scale to indicate how familiar you are with the album: ( the scale is designed to preface your comments, not to be posted by itself with no further explanation.)

0- Never heard anything from this album, totally new to my ears.

1- I might have heard a song on occasion, or I know a big hit from the album but not the full album.

2- I've listened to the full album a few times, but it's been a while. Slightly familiar with it.

3- I listen to this album periodically, fairly familiar with it.

4- I have listened to this album many times. I know it inside out. Very familiar with it/expert level

I will post links for anyone who needs them to be able to stream it in the comments below. Remember, no matter what your experience level with the album going in, please listen to the album before commenting. I will post album #29 on Monday . You can participate, even if you haven't done any of the previous rounds.)

Enjoy! (And be nice!)

#100greatestprogrockchallenge

From Comments:

Full Review:

I suppose I am at level 2 going into this one. I had it on LP years ago, but never got into it back then. But as songs pop up sometimes from my streaming library, I am developing more appreciation for it. I was in a band in the late 90s with a drummer who was a big KC fan. We did attempt Easy Money a few times, but it never really gelled. (We also did a cut down version of 21st Century Schizoid Man–minus the middle super complicated bit) which worked. But I’ll say I’ve developed a liking for LTIA, Pt. 2 in particular in recent years. Let’s see how I feel about the rest of it.

Track 1 - Larks’ Tongues in Aspic, Pt. 1

We begin with some Kalimba and gradually some tingling bell sounds join in. This is an extremely slow build up .At around 3 minutes in, guitar & David Cross’ violin or viola (not sure which) joins in with some rhythm. A big heavy riff begins at 3:40, but only briefly.after some more strings, the riff returns. Then after some wild Fripp leadwork, they get into a funky groove with Fripp’s wild playing over the top at around 5:00. Bruford and Muir go crazy on drums & percussion while Wetton goes wild on wah-wah bass. Quite a bit of a cacophony which settles down at around 7:45 with a mellow violin part. At times it is so quiet that it is almost inaudible. Rhythm begins to build at around 11:45 and very gradually increases in volume. By 12:30 there is the peak of the crescendo. There are some sounds that sound like someone has the TV news on or something, but I don’t know what is being said. Wetton has a bit of a bass feature which gives way to arpeggiated guitar. The song fades out with some high-pitched bells. It was an interesting ride, to be sure. Personally, I’d have liked more to have been made out of the big riff near the beginning. But what do I know, this album is considered to be a classic more than half a century later.

Track 2 - Book of Saturday

Mellow jazzy guitar chords are joined by Wetton’s vocals and a subtle bass line. A reverse guitar solo comes next, followed by violin. Wetton sings another verse thereafter with violin.

A short mellow piece with nice vocals from Wetton.

Track 3 - Exiles

This one fades in with sounds I can’t quite identify. There are lots of sound effects, including some that sound like seagulls. By 1:55 there is a melody with a light rhythm section, acoustic guitar & a violin solo. Wetton begins singing at around 2:25. Cymbal rolls lead to Cross’ string instruments. The melody returns at around 3:25. Fripp adds a guitar solo after the 6 minute mark. Things sound like they are fading but then there is a crescendo near the ending.

Track 4 - Easy Money

A syncopated distorted guitar part with a steady, almost march-tempo beat underneath begins this one. Nonsense vocaleases in harmony join in. There is a nearly a capella verse with minimal guitar accompaniment, and a bit of percussion. The phrase “Easy Money” is accented and followed by odd percussion bits. The second verse has a bit more accompaniment. An instrumental section follows. Fripp improvises a solo over the rhythm section, with some various percussion. The harmony vocals return around 6:30, then Wetton delivers another verse with more intense instrumentation. A maniacal laugh closes things out.

Track 5 - The Talking Drum

We begin with wind sound effects. There is a sound that sounds like a passing horn of some kind. Soft bongo (or similar) drums sound like a galloping horse. As we pass the 2 minute mark a rhythm begins to fade in on bass & drums. Cross comes in on viola (I believe) at around 3 minutes. By 4:30 Fripp is playing sustained parts along with Cross. Things gradually get louder as we go. I believe a fuzz bass has entered the picture as well. At some point I believe Cross switched to Violin. Screeching noises close the track out.

Track 6 - Larks’ Tongues in Aspic Part 2

This is my favorite track on the album, by far. Nice tight playing. There is an opening set of riffs followed by the main theme. The intro part returns around 2 minutes and Wetton plays a monster bass fill. At around 2:45 the main theme returns, but quieter, then begins a gradual buildup. By around 3:30, some crazier sounds join in, but then Fripp establishes a new riff for Cross to solo over. .The main theme returns at around 4:45. Cool drumming is featured around 5:30. At around 6 minutes the band hits a big chord and holds it for about 30 seconds. Everything seems to fade out with around 30 seconds remaining.

OVERALL IMPRESSIONS:

With the exception of track 6, this album just never clicks with me. I know many KC fans rank it as one of their finest, but it just isn’t what I’m looking for. I don’t hate it, but I don’t love it either. I’ll give it a 3.5 overall, but it’d be much lower without track 6.