Is King Crimson the best rock music has to offer?

[71 dB]

Not that that's a bad thing . . . .

You took to words out of my mouth Karl.  Typical rock music is quite banal.

[Ataraxia]

Typical rock music is quite banal.

Must...control...fist of...death...

[Jared]

Must...control...fist of...death...

I know, there's nothing quite like a sweeping statement from someone who has no doubt tried out less than 2% of what the totality of Rock has to offer.. 

[jowcol]

Yes; and apart from some of the very earliest albums, I like (a great deal) music from all the several incarnations . . . starting with Larks' Tongues in Aspic.

(One of these days, I should revisit the debut album, just for old times' sake . . . .)

I'm mixed on King Crimson and prog in general, but there is definitely some great stuff. 
hard to think of them as one band with all the personnel changes.

73-5 was  a great period.  Not only Larks Tongues in Aspic, but Starless and Bible Black has the same lineup, as I recall, and is fine.  I also thought the Red had a couple of standout tracks.  And the version of Larks Toungues Pt 2 from the Live in the USA may be my fave.

Of the 80s albums, I found the sound a bit fussy for my taste, but  Discipline had a couple of killer tracks-- Indiscipline is brilliant.


I think I lost some of my enthusiasm when I discovered the Mahavishnu Orchestra, which was some righteous jazz rock fusion mixed with some odd time signatures. Like Sgt Rock, I was also drawn towards the Jam Bands, as they stretched out, had some complexity, but more of an emotional core for me.  I also, much to my surprise, found myself falling for the instrumentals of the Allman Brothers, (I could live without most of the more top 40 songs).   Amd the first four Santana albums also had some great moments.

I certainly wouldn't "diss" any for digging into the King Crimson  catalog, though. 

[jowcol]

You took to words out of my mouth Karl.  Typical rock music is quite banal.

Okay, those religious people in the forum should take note that Karl and 71 db have agreed on something.  Clearly this is a harbinger of the Apocalypse.

[Iconito]

Okay, those religious people in the forum should take note that Karl and 71 db have agreed on something.  Clearly this is a harbinger of the Apocalypse.

Hold your Arks! Karl didn't explicitly agree with 71dB on the "Typical rock music is quite banal" bit, so we might be OK.

I'm checking the new Discipline mix right now. It sounds great. And there's an instrumental version of Thela Hun Ginjeet! I can see some wild Karaoke parties in my near future   

[Ataraxia]

Karl's remark wasn't offensive in the least.

[jowcol]

Hold your Arks! Karl didn't explicitly agree with 71dB on the "Typical rock music is quite banal" bit, so we might be OK.

I'm checking the new Discipline mix right now. It sounds great. And there's an instrumental version of Thela Hun Ginjeet! I can see some wild Karaoke parties in my near future   

This is a dangerous place.... 


in the more recent world of prog I like some of Tool and Porcupine Tree. 

Tool has a pretty dark metal focus, but some pretty challenging time signatures and lyrics.  Aenima and 10000 Days are my faves, but a lot of people like Lateralus.

Porcupine Tree is somewhere towards Pink Floyd with maybe more emphasis on groove, but some nice sound and writing.  Stupid Dream is a pretty strong album, as well as Light Bulb Sun.  The latter has song I adore called the "Last Chance to Evacuate Planet earth. "  a song that starts out very innocuously,but then the overdubbed voice from the leader of the Heaven's Gate cult announces it's time to let go of everything human, and the music becomes both beautiful and unnerving.

http://www.youtube.com/v/jwm5AgCC21M


An earlier track to lookout for is their first of four remixes of "Voyage 34" .  It starts with some late 60s anti-drug album about the horrors of LSD narrative by Dick Clark with a very groovy musical accompaninment.  As bad trips go, its very good. 

http://www.youtube.com/v/GR75Qv3Mv5A


Although I tend not to be follower of the "album as an art form" approach, I'd say there Fear of a Blank Planet is one of the best examples I've ever seen of one.

[Ataraxia]

If you guys haven't discussed Van der Graaf Generator, I think you need to. 

[Mirror Image]

If you guys haven't discussed Van der Graaf Generator, I think you need to. 

I have a serious problem with Peter Hammill. The guy can't sing to save his life. I remember hearing Pawn Hearts, which is supposedly one of the band's best recordings, and I almost vomited.

[Iconito]

This is a dangerous place.... 


in the more recent world of prog I like some of Tool and Porcupine Tree. 

[...]

Thanks! I like what you posted. I think further exploring is in order.

I have a serious problem with Peter Hammill. The guy can't sing to save his life. I remember hearing Pawn Hearts, which is supposedly one of the band's best recordings, and I almost vomited.

You have a serious problem, alright. But on the bright side, you are lucky my Death Ray doesn't work through the internet.

[Mirror Image]

You have a serious problem, alright. But on the bright side, you are lucky my Death Ray doesn't work through the internet.

Well I just don't like Peter Hammill. He doesn't deserve the accolades he seems to garner. As far as 70s progressive rock goes give me King Crimson, Gensis, Yes, Pink Floyd, Rush, or Camel any day.

[Iconito]

Well I just don't like Peter Hammill. He doesn't deserve the accolades he seems to garner. As far as 70s progressive rock goes give me King Crimson, Gensis, Yes, Pink Floyd, Rush, or Camel any day.

This probably won't change your mind, but I feel like posting it anyway 

http://www.youtube.com/v/wre4J8UGOao

[Mirror Image]

I like this much, much better:

http://www.youtube.com/v/01CnBGWvBpE&feature=related

[Bulldog]

I like this much, much better:

http://www.youtube.com/v/01CnBGWvBpE&feature=related

Why did you post what might be the worst song Genesis ever recorded?

[Iconito]

I like this much, much better:

What Bulldog said. Now go to your room and think about what you just did, young boy! 


(Funny: The drummer on the Fripp song I posted earlier is Phil Collins. It really makes you think what this World could have been...)

[Mirror Image]

Why did you post what might be the worst song Genesis ever recorded?

Nah, I like this song a lot. In fact, A Trick of the Tail is one of Genesis' finer moments. I could have posted Dance On A Volcano, but I felt it was too predictable.

[Mirror Image]

What Bulldog said. Now go to your room and think about what you just did, young boy! 

This is coming from somebody who actually likes Peter Hammill. You're a sad, little man.

[Iconito]

This is coming from somebody who actually likes Peter Hammill. You're a sad, little man.

Check PM 

[Mirror Image]

Check PM 

Checked...nothing...