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Rating:
Talking about this great album is not very simple for me, considering it was very important for my growth in the music field, as it introduced me to King Crimson and got me started with prog.
Before starting the review, allow me to include some historical notes about this epochal album.
We are in 1974, a very important year for prog rock, which was slowly transforming. In fact, many bands formed just a few years before disappeared, in Italy prog was worthily represented only by PFM, Le Orme, and the newly born Area, and even King Crimson were on the verge of disbanding (which would happen in 1975). But before disbanding, the Crimson King thought it good to leave us their best album (second only to the unattainable debut).
The album opens with the instrumental title track, which immediately captures the listener with its hypnotic and insistent riff. Seven minutes that are worth listening to and leave their mark. A point in favor of King Crimson. The next song is a little jewel: it is the gentle "Fallen Angel", yet even in its sweetness and softness, it shows a hint of unease. Perhaps it's because of Fripp's killer riff or Wetton's magical voice? Mystery. We then move on to the third track, which is the troubled "One More Red Nightmare", where Fripp takes center stage with a fantastic solo, one of the best in the guitarist's career, with King Crimson and beyond. Next is the second instrumental track, "Providence". The predominant instrument in this track is David Cross's violin, which manages to create a truly suggestive atmosphere. We've arrived at the last track and absolute masterpiece of the entire platter: the magnificent "Starless". As per King Crimson tradition, this song, being the last, is also the longest, in fact (fortunately for us) it lasts about 12 minutes. The song opens with an intro made by strings and keyboards, over which John Wetton's warm and enveloping voice is layered. Starting from the fifth minute, Fripp gives us a haunting solo, three minutes long, which flows into the most beautiful finale music has ever given us (second only to that of "Learning To Live" by Dream Theater).
In summary, this is the most beautiful album released by one of the best lineups ever, which would soon disband, releasing the superb live "U.S.A." in 1975.
Tracklist
01 "Red"
02 "Fallen Angel"
03 "One More Red Nightmare"
04 "Providence"
05 "Starless"
Lineup
Robert Fripp - Guitar, Keyboards
John Wetton - Vocals, Bass
Bill Bruford - Drums, Percussion
David Cross - Violin, Strings
P.S.: Sorry for the very boring track-by-track analysis, which I did because
1st The songs are only five, and it would have been a bit sparse to talk generically about this album
2nd All the songs are very different from one another, and it would have been difficult to "generalize" them (I don’t know if this term is correct, but I think you understood me) to make a shorter review
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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By Lucabbrasi
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