There were a handful of records that, approaching this list, I already knew where I stood on them. They were ones that I had already established through my music listening career as ones that I loved, and even found to be perfect albums. Yet, as I listened to two of my favorite albums today (this and the soon to be reviewed “Wish You Were Here”) I challenged myself to ask the big, hard “WHY?” question. Is this really a perfect album, or have you just put it on a pedestal but upon applying critical gaze there are some major flaws with it? And while it’s been fun to apply this sort of lens, the answer for this particular album is a resounding “no, it is indeed perfect.”
“In the Court of the Crimson King” is a masterpiece, one of the first great progressive rock albums that completely pulverized the music world when it was released in 1969. Recorded within the first nine months of their conception as a band, completely self-produced, and catapulted to instant buzz by the glowing praise of Jimi Hendrix and their opening gig for the Rolling Stones (July 5th at Hyde Park), this album is legendary from within its own historical perspective. Add onto that the fact that it literally helped define the genre, and you have an album that is destined to hold a mainstay not only in the hallowed histories of its perspective genre, but in music history itself.
Still, an album shouldn’t be considered perfect just because of its context, as I’ve stated before. Most music on this list is considered as highly regarded as it is because of its experimentation, its willingness to look ahead to the future, and because of this we still see the ripples of it echoing out into the music of our present time. “In the Court…” is no exception. Infusing the improvisation of jazz, the use of recurring motif and multiple movements of classical, instrumentation of folk, and even blistering tempos and aggressive riffs of metal into their songs they created a new sound along with bands like Pink Floyd and Moody Blues that ushered in a new era of music. “21st Century Schizoid Man” is a continually referenced prog staple, a song that alludes to jazz fusion and even punk with its blistering tempo and jittering melodies. “Epitaph” is a haunting composition that feels like it should be performed in a concert hall instead of a rock venue. And even by today’s standards, this album continues to push the envelope (looking at you, the second half of “Moonchild” titled “The Illusion”).
In many ways, this journey is an adventure, an experience that one cannot jump into lightly (yes, I’m alluding to Venture Brothers reference). To step into the Court of the Crimson King is a life changing event, one that broadens your idea of what music can be. It feels in many ways like watching a movie, grandiose at times while subdued and quiet at others, and by the end of it you feel like you’ve gone somewhere and seen something different. This album is one I hold in high regard, not only for its historical context, but its continuing ability to draw me in and captivate my attention. Every song is a master class in experimentation, improvisation, and how taking a risk and having a vision can pay off in creating a timeless piece of art.
My Rating: 5/5
The Word and The Song 