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Rating:
Forty minutes of a 'turning point' towards the end of progressive rock, according to Robert Fripp. "Red" is also this: a season now at twilight, even if, perhaps, it charts new paths for 80s rock.
It's 1974 and the punk wave is approaching: one could say that with this album, King Crimson closes their dazzling journey that began in 1969. Almost a swan song, before resuming production in the 80s with a completely new lineup which, in my opinion, is absolutely not up to the standard of the golden years. In ‘RED’ the typical 'symphonism' of the past emerges in a few tracks (Starless, Fallen Angel) often mixed with disruptive and abrasive sounds.
"Red" is the continuation of a stylistic change initiated in the previous works ("Lark's Tongues In Aspic" (1973) and "Starless And Bible Black" (1974) where Robert Fripp's tendency to dismantle the conventions of progressive rock was already evident.
The magical trio of Robert Fripp-John Wetton-Bill Bruford is joined by David Cross on violin and the past ex-Crimsonians Ian McDonald, Mel Collins on saxes, along with Robin Miller and Marc Charig.
Romantic soul in the jazz-rock ballad "Fallen Angel", calm and tension in "Starless", the rough and technically excellent new course in the other three tracks.
The 200g vinyl edition just released in May 2013, is of superlative quality like the previous reissues of "In the Court of the Crimson King", "In the Wake of Poseidon" and "Lizard". All marked by Robert Fripp's obsession for perfection who supervised the remix.
Tracklist Lyrics Samples and Videos
05 Starless (12:18)
Sundown dazzling day
Gold through my eyes
But my eyes turned within
Only see
Starless and bible black
Ice blue silver sky
Fades into grey
To a grey hope that omens to be
Starless and bible black
Old friend charity
Cruel twisted smile
And the smile signals emptiness
For me
Starless and bible black
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Other reviews
By Lucabbrasi
No, I was never the King of progressive, don’t ever compare me to Genesis and Yes because I have nothing to do with them!
The needle, in the end, returns to the end of the run, exhausted but happy to have been there, near the extreme red, at the extreme emotional limit...
By mauro60
"Red is a great record, an example of Rock that everyone should have or at least know."
The finale leaves the listener breathless, emptied of strength as one is after the peak of a passionate act of love.
By piccolojedi1991
"Red" is more than just an album... it is the perfect intersection of Psychedelia and Hard Rock.
It’s incredibly challenging to put into writing what this album gives, and the best way to understand it remains to listen to it.
By Federico95
The album opens with the instrumental title track, which immediately captures the listener with its hypnotic and insistent riff.
The magnificent "Starless" is the absolute masterpiece of the entire platter, lasting about 12 minutes with one of the most beautiful finales music has ever given us.
By GinoMerci2
"Starless is an absurd suite, from every point of view."
"Bruford is extraordinary in his existentialism and nihilism."
