Albums most popular in the United States●Prog-Rock/Art Rock

Tracks: 8 Release date: 1969-10-10 $11.99

Comments

1. In The Critique Of The Crimson King - An absolutely phenomenal album that is essential to any music fan. The one major issue I have with this is that Moonchild goes on a little too long, but other than that this album is pure prog perfection. Each song is made to be an intengral part of the album, and build off of each other perfectly. My individual song reviews are as follows st Century Schizoid Man - / I Talk To The Wind - / Epitaph - / Moonchild - / The Court Of The Crimson King - /
2020-07-15

2. Fond memories.... - I remember first hearing 'In the Court of the Crimson King' on my college radio station when it came out. I'll never forget the dj describing the fantastic cover art. This was long before cd's, and cover art was a big part of the album experience. With the tragic recent passing of Greg Lake, (not to forget Keith Emerson), I've been re-listening to the old prog-rock greats. I was so lucky to see ELP perform 'st Century Schizoid Man' shortly after Greg Lake left KIng Crimson. Fantastic! I'm now going to download this album. You should too!
2017-01-24

3. Great...... BUT IN THE COURT OF THE CRIMSON KING ALBUM ONLY ? - While this album is GREAT, I am angry that the song in the court of the Crimson King is album only. This (in my opinion) is the best King Crimson song. This album is amazing but that one song should be available for download without downloading the whole album. I am co playing because I have the album on vinyl and I do not want to download the entire album.
2016-02-15

4. Crimson's best album - While I must admit I'm not a massive King Crimson fan, I have always enjoyed this album. Every track on this record is just fantastic. Of the bonus tracks included the duo version of "I talk to the wind" is surprisingly great and to be honest I like it a little more than the original version. Anyway, I highly recommend this album.
2015-07-22

5. King Crimson, Way ahead of their time... - Finally, King Crimson! (I know I am a bit late, Mar ), but had given almost all hope of iTunes showcasing KC. Their talent is ridiculous. What a collection of music so varied, you’ll never tire of the sound. I can’t wait for Bible Black and Starlight. There will be no remorse when you purchase this album…Wow!
2015-03-29

6. I'm glad this is FINALLY on iTunes! - Let me start by saying that I'm years old and still relatively new to King Crimson. A friend of mine turned me on to Fripp and company about a year ago. I first listened to this album on a YouTube version he sent me and fell in love with it even though the audio quality was mediocre. I was bummed out to see that NONE of King Crimson's stuff was on iTunes and was told it probably never would be. Than I decided to look up this album again this morning just for grins and was pleasantly surprised to see that Robert Fripp has finally allowed his masterpieces to be released on iTunes which means that a whole new generation can discover them. BUY THIS ALBUM!!!!
2015-03-09

7. th Century Magnum Opus - Astonishly crafted with the marvelous and haunting songs available. The first track is incontrovertibly my favorite track, as it structures the heaviest and loudest cacophony of sounds with a quick and active time signature, and most of all, the monsterous riff with a lyrical tecnique that provides the audience with impeccable macabre imagery, "st Century Schizoid Man" is an all time classic in both the hard rock and progressive department. "I Talk to the Wind" is a serene, tranquil melody that is perfect for going to sleep. Then comes "Epitaph", a haunting and dystopian imaged tune. This song provides us with powerful mellotrons, thundering drum toms, and the deep and powerful lyrics of our future sung by one of the greatest vocalists of all history. Side contains the minute long tune, "Moonchild". It is merely a song played freely by the band members for minutes, alas, there is something that captivates us all about the magical beginning to it. Finally, "The Court of the Crimson King" is the last part of the album, lending the audience with an orchestral piece that refers to medieval times. All together, the songs blended in harmony make a monsterous combination that no band has ever had the audacity to complete. This is one of those albums that begs the owner to play it again and again until the needle breaks.
2014-11-14

8. Didn’t think it was available - Heard this album a while ago and tried finding it, but was told that it was not available anywhere online. After a quick search, I saw that that was true. So I ordered the album off of amazon instead. Now it’s finally on iTunes, and even though I already have it, I’m just happy it’s more readily available for others to find. Anyway, I love this album, and definitely suggest anyone who’s into prog rock, such as Pink Floyd (my favorite band), give it a chance. It’s truly an amazing album, especially the title track which caps off the album.
2014-11-07

9. An amazing album - This is King Crimson's first album, and arguably their best one. If you like progressive rock, you should buy this. In fact, if you like music of any kind you should buy this. Buy the whole album, don't just buy one or two songs. You get all five songs from the original album, as well as alternate versions of two of those songs and a live version of a song from their second album. If you have listened to King Crimson before then you know how amazing they are. If you have not listened to them, then start with this album. If you like Pink Floyd, Yes, Jethro Tull, Emerson, Lake and Palmer, and Gentle Giant then you will most likely enjoy King Crimson. King Crimson mixed rock, jazz and symphonic music to create a unique sound that is now classic and an inspiration for much music that followed. I'm glad King Crimson is finally on iTunes and I hope they release all of their other albums on iTunes soon.
2014-10-06

10. Thank You - I'm not sure who is responsible for being persistent and finally getting this classic album on iTunes but…Thank you! Not sure how many of us there are who remember seeing this wild album cover as we flipped through bins and bins of new albums in the late 's. This is a great piece of music that has sustained for decades and has no doubt inspired many other great albums. The music was as original as the cover in it's time. Rock with dissonant jazz, classical music and beautiful melody flowing throughout. Enjoy again or for the first time!
2014-10-06

11. Bob's Yer Uncle! - This music will always be cutting edge. years ago this was the extreme, and it still is today. It is jazz, it is rock, it is confrontational, it makes you think about what a sound can force you... to not accept. Mr. Fripp has made a wise choice to put his art out to a larger, maybe even more open audience than was previously available to. "Said the straight man to the late man...where have you been". You are now in the Court! - Thanx Robert.
2014-10-03

12. Absolute Genius: Expanded th Anniv. Version - Of course, the musical content of this album needs no introduction or defense, but potential buyers may like to know that the three Crimson albums now available on iTunes are the th Anniversary editions with bonus tracks not included on the original releases. The remasters sound very good—crisp, with decent depth—and have additionally been “mastered for iTunes,” apparently meaning that the existing th anniv. remasters (done in late ’-’, according to the liner notes) have been tweaked for maximum impact in this digital format. I have all the newer th anniv. -disc reissues, original Atlantic vinyls--even some of the early-s EG remasters on cassette--and these iTunes versions are still worth $ each for hardcore fans, especially considering the new bonus tracks and the accompanying digital booklets. And for new listeners, this is a steal, considering that many "expanded edition” albums go for $- or more.
2014-10-03

Tracks: 10 Release date: 2018-10-12 $9.99

Comments

1. Musical evolution with every album - People complain this album is all noise and no grooves or songs? LOL. This album is, literally, a musical magnum opus of intellectual mathematical brilliance. Like, this album should be the band members’ proof of entry for Mensa. Engineers should listen to this album while building starships at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. It’s appeasing to my OCD the way the band finds ways to fit beats between spaces, and how they find uses for clever pauses, and how they seamlessly work any time signature they play in. And they do it while infusing metal, jazz, funk, classic dubstep beats, modern (industrial) dubstep, EDM, prog rock, s pop, glitch-waltz, and technical metal techniques into each song. It’s for all-genre music lovers and technical musicians, not for metal heads, pop lovers, etc. This hcking album is sheer brilliance. It stands as a musical masterpiece and musicians in the year , will be dissecting the compositions for a better understanding of Polyphia’s musically stimulated intellect. From the Hispanic-pop flavor of O.D., to the haunting musicbox inspired G.O.A.T., this entire album is, easily, their best, most evolved, and technically-driven compilation of compositions, and some of the best progressive music tracks ever recorded. This album easily rivals anything by Tossin of Animals As Leaders. Pretty impressive for a bunch of young dudes from southern Florida. I am so freaking stoked that the band continued their musical evolution, despite whatever has been said by people who don’t understand the feel. And that is okay. It isn’t for everyone. But just listen to GOAT and tell me this isn’t their best work to date! It is incredible!
2019-03-02

2. talent - its a shame groups like this dont get recognition like the crap out on the radio today. I got to see these guys live early nov. ' and they are pure talent. The main guitarist just shreds . He's def up there with Pilini and others. Killer sound. Love the funk/hip hop they brough into this album.
2018-11-08

3. Cool sounding noises. no songs. - The emperor clearly has no clothes here. Every album before this was amazing. This is just noise. No melodies. Nothing that sticks. You could swap entire sections of these "compositions" with each other and I don't think anyone would even notice. It is fun to listen to the bass playing, but are there any grooves? Nope.
2018-10-22

4. Best album yet - Polyphia has so much upside on their creative talent, they are so young and so talented, as a prog rock lifer I have to admit that listening to these guys made me regain my faith in the future of music. Honestly guys, you rock! Please continue to outdo yourselves in every album and let innovation be a constant in your career!
2018-10-19

Tracks: 8 Release date: 1973-11-19 $6.99

Comments

1. Spectacular - Buy it! - This is arguably the most electric and stunning progressive rock album of its time. Over the top? Yes. Innovative? Absolutely. Masterful musicianship? Without question. Great music? Stunning. Buy this recording and own one of the all-time iconic masterpieces of its era. This music is the prog-rock equivalent of the Beatle’s innovative, Sargent Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band. As singer, Greg Lake, rings out, “Welcome back my friends to the show that never ends”, you, too, will agree that this is an album for the ages.
2019-04-22

2. Why four stars? - Why did I rate this album four stars you ask? How could anyone be so daft as to suggest that this album isn't one of Emerson, Lake & Palmer's greatest and most ambitious work? Well, now that you ask it is their greatest and most ambitious work. It is also arguably one of the greatest prog rock albums of all time! However, this remaster is probably one of the worst I've ever heard. I have owned multiple versions of this album from first pressing vinyls to this more recent one and many in between. The sound is just flat to me, something holds it back from what I think is the best it could and should be.
2017-08-27

3. ELP rocks! - Incredible album!! This album helped define early progressive rock, and features three of the most talented musicians in rock history. If you haven't listened to it, give it a try!! Sadly only Carl Palmer is still with us. Keith Emerson and Greg Lake both died in . Their music was often "over the top" and isn't always an "easy" listen. It's been described as "high brow", and "pretentious", but I suspect that comes from critics who don't appreciate musicians who take their instruments to the very edge and back. ELP is one of the pillars of progressive rock, and and this is one of their best albums! Give it a listen!
2017-03-11

Tracks: 8 Release date: 1972-03-03 $7.92

Comments

1. Fantastic idea! - Splitting this album up into songs is BRILLIANT! It gives the listener the option of listening to it in its entirety as one very long song OR when in a ‘Jethro Tull’ playlist you can shuffle them up! Fantastic! Everyone is happy. Listen to it as originally recorded as one VERY LONG song or mix the songs up in your ultimate JT playlist! Well done. Three Cheers! Hip hip and hush hush and all those sort of things old chaps! Now have a pint and enjoy! CHEERS! Down the hatch!
2018-08-01

2. Thick as a brick, clear as a crystal. - I listened to my original record of Thick as a Brick many, many times after I first picked it up years ago, it just musically blew me away utterly - one of the most brilliantly creatively successful attempts of a full rock symphony (if you will) with recurring musical themes and melodies that, rather than being simply an assortment of separate songs stuck together with some connective passages, was a full singular piece in its own right. When the CD release came along, I picked it up of course, and was again blown away, this time by the clarity that records, warm as vinyl can be, simply can't provide, at least not for long if you wish to listen to it often (sorry, vinylophiles). When later a newer remastered version came out I enjoyed it as well, but I have to say that this remix is, for me, the one that rules them all. The first noticeable difference to me was that the stereo image seemed widened, giving each separate instrument more room to be heard, and the vocals were perhaps a bit louder - the nuances of Ian Anderson's performance are more distinct than I'd ever heard before. Once the music became fuller and more fully orchestrated with the start of the 'See there a son is born' section, though, the extent of the new mix was immediately unmistakable. I thought I knew this whole album cold, but suddenly I was hearing fine details, and even whole instruments I'd never really noticed before due to the closeness of the original mix; the clarity of every instrument and the new full sonic range was, well, astonishing! It's not confined to the noisier and more raucous bits, either, the quiet moments feel somehow richer as well, the hushes more silent and the instruments breathing like never before. I gotta say, I love it! I should mention, though, I have not listened to this mix on headphones, only through a system with good full-ranged speakers, and as a direct feed from my iPad to a single, decent portable speaker. If you love Thick as a Brick, try this one out, it may impress you as it did me! Thanks for reading! :)
2017-04-13

3. If it ain't broke... - Thick as a Brick is typically presented as a single song split into two "parts" ( minutes each and intended to be listened to in one sitting). This latest remaster is separated into eight pieces, also intended to be listened to sequentially. The album/song as whole is absolutely fantastic and will appeal to anyone familiar with bands such as Yes, Genesis (Peter Gabriel era) and most early 's prog in general. I really can't recommend Thick as a Brick enough. It's one if my favorite prog albums of all time. However, I strongly recommend the remaster over this one. The instruments here sound isolated and the vocals sound somehow detached from the rest of the composition. The previous versions had a certain warmth to them whereas this mix just feels empty (perhaps a real "audiophile" can describe it in better terms). The bottom line: get the album but stick with the earlier remaster.
2014-04-25

Tracks: 6 Release date: 1976-04-01 $9.99

Comments

1. Love It - Absolutely Love this album; however having to pay $. for one song is outragous!!!!!!!!! I can buy the album on Amazon for $.. Is this a RUSH issue or an itunes issue? I also wonder if this is why there is only other reviews? I know some will not review a song/album they do not download.... This also sounds GREAT on vinyl, I think better than digital, just my opinion and yes I know everyone has their own..... Price is why I gave it stars, the album is a
2020-01-25

2. The break thru album - Rush needed this album after the lackluster sales of Caress of Steel. Neil Peart puts together lyrics about a dystopian society where everyone is equal, an old relic is found which upset the order of the Priests of the Temple of Syrinx! A fav is On the Train to Bangkok. Something for Nothing let’s listeners know freedom inset for free. Great album and gave Rush the freedom to continue on their terms.
2020-01-14

3. Rush with me forever - Only reviews, tells you something about kids today? Not enough music in there lives. I got introduced to this album by five daughters of my dad’s friend , it was awesome and they were hot. Never looked back after this album. Look into Jethro Tull when you finish this album and don’t you dare forget Pink Floyd.
2020-01-13

Tracks: 10 Release date: 1981-09-22 $11.99

Comments

1. Greatest comeback ever - Almost years since it came out and I discovered it very very late, but it brings me back. This album is a series of the best ballsy moves, they weren’t even “supposed” to be King Crimson until they decided they would rather be that instead of Discipline, and it’s so amazing because they kept the band going stronger. A bridge of progressive rock and new wave, my favorite two genres. John Wetton may be my favorite singer of the band but Belew is overall the best frontman, considering his overall skill and vocal style, the insane guitar that is on par with Fripp, maybe more, and just the high energy. Fripp is still a god of guitar. Tony is not just one of the greatest bassists they’ve had but also the quintessential Chapman Stick player, nothing ever sounds like it. Of course, Bill Bruford is an absolute mad king of the drums, his return is one of the best parts considering he’s the first drummer in the band to get through albums ( at the time), let alone of them.
2020-08-27

2. Good - This KC offering is actually a good one. Lizard is the best, followed by Court of the Crimson King, Larks Tongue, this, and then Starless. Red is simply horrible with no merit whatsoever. This album is fun to listen to. But in typical Fripp fashion, he wears out notes repeating them over & over, but those notes are in some pretty good songs here. Worth dollars.
2020-06-11

3. Not every day I buy an album for the th time. - But this is one of those albums. You know how it goes. You have the vinyl version, then the tape version for your car. Then the CD version because now you are older and want to hear it on your great stereo...., And NOW, you have your iPhone and want to hear it on that. So here we are.
2019-06-19

4. Makes me dance! - Had this in original release, bought it on vinyl, later recorded on a cassette which eventually melted in my car. Saw them live in NYC, small venue The Savoy ish. Got to chat with my favorite drummer of all time Bill Buford who said it was unusual to have “lady fans”. Downloaded this, danced to those awesome beats once again, love the bonus tracks!!!
2017-11-30

5. New Crimson - I originally wrote a lukewarm review here on this album but I've now realized how much I really love it. Robert Fripp is a genius, bringing King Crimson to a new wave sound but keeping that classic prog rock element to make this album what was a solid, pristine return to the musical scene for the group. "Matte Kudasai" is perhaps King Crimson's most beautiful song, and "Elephant Talk", "Indiscipline" and "Discipline" (the concept of this song is especially fascinating) are fantastic. If you liked In the Court, Red, or Larks' Tongues, get this album.
2016-09-02

6. Best of the "primary color” KC trifecta - This album was a significant detour for KC as the Belew influence gave some tracks (Elephant Talk, Thela Hun Ginjeet) a frat party friendly sound that no previous lineup brought. More in league with the Talking Heads or the Police than their more expansive and improvisational offerings of the ’’s. Not better or worse, in my opinion, just different. This album greatly adds to the lore of the band, and paves the way for the other greatest offering of the Belew-based lineup - Thrak ! I’d expect fans of Bowie, Yes, Genesis, Rush,…to LOVE this album ! Difficult to recommend one or two tracks, as this is an album with a theme that unfolds, culminating in the title track. Undoubtedly Fripp would also want you to experience the album as one event, start to finish, and that’s truly my suggestion !
2016-06-22

Tracks: 6 Release date: 1970-11-20 $5.99

Tracks: 14 Release date: 1977-03-17 $9.99

Comments

1. ELP’s Exit - Towering Performances - Pirates: This single song is worth the price of admission on this double record set. It’s arguably ELP’s most fully realized composition. As the curtain set on ELP, this recording roared with thunder. Although this offering is essentially a collection of music that showcased each individual musician, Pirates and Aaron Copeland’s, Fanfare for the Common Man, are towering group performances - powerful and fun. Buy, listen and bask in the band’s glory. Long live ELP.
2019-04-21

2. Great Diverse ELP album - This is a great collection of diverse works by Emerson, Lake, and Palmer. It really shows and highlights each one's own very talented skills even great talent in songwriting by dummer Carl Palmer in his own right. Overall, though Volume did feature some good tracks on there, This is The Better Half of the Works records. Also, RIP to both Keith Emerson and Greg Lake.
2016-12-29

3. My teenage crush - I drive hundreds of miles multiple times to see this group perform when I was a teenager. Greg Lake's voice is silky, rich, and stunningly beautiful. Listen to 'Closer to Believing' and you'll fall in love a little. I am so sorry you're gone. You made a teenage girl happy. Rest In Peace, Greg and Keith.
2016-12-09

4. Classic group - I read such wildly divergent terms such as avant-garde and narcissistic applied to this album and ELP. So from someone who is an admitted novice in music, I play no instruments and cannot read music. I enjoy a wide variety of styles and love this album. There are elements of gospel, rock, ballads, and classical present here. I enjoy and have enjoyed Works since first hearing it on my audiophile friends superb system in . That being my introduction to ELP. This album and Brain Salad Surgery my favorites of their work. All these years later still two of my top albums of all my collection.
2016-10-22

Tracks: 11 Release date: 1971-03-19 $9.99

Comments

1. Well Done. Crisp sound. - It would be interesting to hear how they go from analog masters to digital masters. I presume the analog to digital conversion is just so much better now than we had earlier. The instruments are very clear here and not muddled like on the LP that I know I wore out long ago. I think this is an improvement over the original. What a famous record. Jetrho Tull at their best.
2023-03-18

2. Both Wilson’s are good - just different - I bought this LP when I was a kid in and the music is in my bones, I’ve listened to it so many times since then (almost half a century). The is the cleanest for the instrumentation - details that I have not noticed in any other version, even his . As someone who knows the album very very well, it’s fabulous, bringing out nuances that have been passed over on previous remixes. If you are actually interested in musicianship and composition, you’ll get a level of details in this one that the others will not provide. Otherwise the is fine and very much worth owning.
2021-07-23

Tracks: 21 Release date: 1973-11-19 $15.99

Tracks: 6 Release date: 2023-03-17 $10.99

Tracks: 14 Release date: 1971-03-19 $10.99

Comments

1. What a string of classic albums - The only thing more remarkable than this classic work of rock is that it's sandwiched in among a group of equally incredible albums: Benefit, Thick as a Brick, Passion Play, and Minstrel in the Gallery. This was Jethro Tull's glory years, and Aqualung is packed with now classic songs. As others have pointed out, Aqualung belongs with a handful of other rock albums of that era that have now attained legendary status, and which belongs on any list of greatest classic rock albums of all time. This would definitely be in my top ten.
2017-02-12

2. An Improvement in Sound Quality - Let me start by saying that I do still have my vinyl copy, I had it on track, cassette and finally on CD. That being said the question for me wasn't is this an album I should get because it is great, but rather, is the sound quality any better than the CD copy that I have transfered to my iTunes library that has a very muddy sound? Well I am here to say that YES it is remarkably better, a huge improvement over my CD copy. Who ever was incharge of the Re-Mastering did a GREAT job. So if you are like me and already own all the previous lesser quality versions you will not be wasting your money if you purchase this copy. One noticeable difference is in the song Aqualung that almost sounds like it might be a different version because it does sound so much clearer and cleaner, maybe it is, but still great.
2016-11-17

3. Made Tull a Household Name - The album that made Jethro Tull a household name...well, maybe not a household name, but a very well known name among the rock and roll public. Theme of the album lyrically centered on God. But not anti-God, just anti-religions. And how organized religions had screwed up many people's individual lives and messed with entire countries outlook on the rest of the world. Strange for an album with such a message to be that popular, but it was released around the time of "Jesus Christ Superstar" and religion, God, Peace, Love, etc. were the fashion of the day. Some of their hardest rocking numbers ever are included on this. (But still not heavy enough to warrant the Heavy Metal Grammy they received years later--late 's:-) But beside Ian Anderson's trademark flute as a lead instrument, Martin Barre's guitar work is some of his most blistering ever. Everything seemed to work on Aqualung---songwriting, singing, musicianship, lyrics, and it brought Jethro Tull to the attention of millions of new listeners.
2016-08-24

4. A Must-Have - For the hard-core fan of rock music, there are certain albums deemed to be a must-have in the collection because they stick out among all the others. For those of us fortunate enough to have grown up during this period, the early ''s produced a disproportionate share of these albums. We can quibble over some but albums such as Who's Next, Dark Side of the Moon, The Captian and Me, all of Led Zeppelin's work and Jethro Tull's Aqualung are indisputable. There is nothing quite like this album in the annals of rock 'n roll and nothing Tull did before or after really compares to it either. Buy it and listen to it!
2015-07-19

Tracks: 12 Release date: 1982-04-19 $9.99

Comments

1. Great Album!! - I bought this in when there was no internet & you had to go to the record store (Import Section) to get this album . I was when this came out, it was really weird for that era. But I loved this album. EVERYONE should purchase this album!!! Walking & Falling is great ! A must for anyone who thinks we were not hip, the bomb!!
2012-05-11

2. Recherche du Temps Perdu - Twenty-five years after I first listened to Laurie Anderson, through the works on this album, Big Science still entertains and stimulates the mind. These works all interesting (something I don't find consistently true of her other albums) for their own sake--from the sarcasm of "From the Air" to the misleading minimalism of "O Superman." They also take me back to those years when digital synthesizers sounded new, portable CD players were $ and weighed five pounds with the battery, T-fare was twenty-five cents, and college friends and lovers made this part of the soundtrack of our lives.
2009-06-14

3. More influential than first meets the ear. - To call Big Science "quirky" is a little like calling an A-Bomb "loud and hot." While technically correct, the description utterly fails to describe the phenomenon. Laurie Anderson has been flying around just under mainstream media's radar (intentionally) for over three decades, occasionally popping up in eclectic settings like Saturday Night Live, Nickelodeon's "Rugrats," the Lifetime Network, and as NASA's first ever artist in residence (and last ever, thanks to a amendment by former Indiana Representative Chris Chocola). To contemporary listeners, the vocodered vocals and synthesized ambient settings of Big Science may seem almost quaint, yet the influence of Anderson's innovations on later popular music are undeniable. Electronic performers like Imogen Heap, T-Pain, Dido, and Moby owe a considerable debt to Anderson's undaunted experimentation, as exemplified by "Let X X" and the classic "O Superman." Even at its weirdest, in the nails-on-the chalkboard nasal refrains of "Sweaters," the seamless blending of vocals and harsh violins presages Anderson's later (and more musical) collaborations with Bobby McFerrin, as well as McFerrin's solo vocal work. Fans of Allen Ginsburg and William S. Burroughs will appreciate the spoken-word experiments of "From the Air" and "Born, Never Asked," which showcase the deadpan wit that charms Anderson's fans and galvanizes her detractors. Tracks added in the re-release are "Walk the Dog," the highly avant-garde B-side of the "O Superman" single, and "Big Science ," a new piece that transposes the original track into a decidedly st century context. For fans of Philip Glass, John Zorn, The Velvet Underground, and Brian Eno, this album is required listening. For those with more mainstream tastes, though, this album won't necessarily be easy listening. Laurie Anderson is an artist's artist, the kind of person Peter Gabriel, Lou Reed, and Andy Kaufman might look to for inspiration during a dry spell. Big Science is avant-garde, unfettered and experimental. Much of it was created for live performance, and something IS lost in translation to audio-only. For a more aurally palatable introduction to Laurie Anderson, give a listen to her album, Strange Angels, and come back to Big Science when you like what you hear.
2009-05-25

4. Gasseously Pretentious - Incredibly pretentious flapdoodle lacking in both form and content. No singing here; just Anderson's lifeless voice-overs which are about as exciting as an airline attendant explaining how to close a seat belt, which they sound quite similar to. "From the Air" is for all intents and purposes, a skipping record that goes on for some four and a half minutes. THe themes expressed lyrically in "Big Science" were more poetically and effectively dealt with earlier by Peter Gabriel, and "Sweaters" sounds like something a spurned teenage girl might come up with her first day at band camp while still figuring out how how to play her instrument.
2009-03-26

5. Genuine Insight - A review of this album must first point out that when released in the last two songs – “Walk the Dog” and “Big Science ” – were not included, These have been added subsequently. I know because I have the original vinyl album. And, I must say, in my opinion they really add nothing to the original artistic endeavor. Having said this I can now substantively deal with the merits of this work, which are very considerable. Being a scientist by basic disposition and training, I have often balked at the common observation that artists interpret what surrounds us in new and insightful and meaningful ways that the rest of us, especially scientists, ignore or fail to see. Having a lengthy career focusing on science, research and its integration with what might be considered a more artistic orientation in the realm of design, I can now say I was wrong in having been so skeptical of the artistic disposition. Genuine artists do offer acutely insightful, and sometimes frightening, observations about the rest of us. In my opinion, this album is one such example that probably has no equal when it comes to elucidating the essence of Science – its goal of continual progress, its emphasis on controlling the environment, and its basically consensual and social nature (Big Science). And, of course, its most fundamental premise – fact versus illusion (Let X X, or what is equivalent, X Y). It is most astute that what is the core of this album called Big Science is entitled “Let X X.” But what is equally important is that in the original album on vinyl the last song is entitled “Let X X/It Tango.” The two imperceptibly blend into one another, as they do on this release. Why I find this most important is that as soon as she is finished with her illumination of what science is all about (Let X X) she moves right into a contrast between Art and Science with the dialogue of the “It Tango” and the traditional gender stereotypes for art and science in this culture. This is a marvelous work of art, and by now, it should be considered an historical document, aside from the fact it is wonderful music.
2008-06-23

Tracks: 10 Release date: 1977-02-11 $9.90

Tracks: 25 Release date: 1971-03-19 $12.99

Comments

1. An Essential Buy for Prog Fans - This is easily the best version of Aqualung out there. iTunes also has the remaster, but I urge you to get this one instead because the sound quality and mixing is LEAGUES better. Though Aqualung was (and still is) a great and groundbreaking album when it came out, it unfortunately has had issues with the sound quality since day . As awesome as the music is, it's just missing a certain kick that the previous albums had. This version however, fixes all the problems that the original and subsequent remasters had, and has a bunch of bonus stuff to boot. Buy it now.
2016-09-01

2. Steven Wilson Mix Rules !!! - The first time I heard this LP was on a small fidhing boat in Homer, Alaska. . What a great experience and still is today what with the excellent stereo mix from Mr. Steven Wilson. It is so alive and vibrant. I'm a Christian but i can identify with the spiritual vibe of this album. It's in good taste and not really a slight against God at all. It's Hunmans that mess up the Beauty of God. We are so hard on ourselves and each other. Where is Grace when you really need it??? The kingdom of self gets in the way of Living in the now with God INSIDE you. Go figure right ??? It blows me away. This set of songs has a grerat tragectory: the on the street not good to meet Agualung staring at Cross eyed Mary who is being used for the ways of this world. Such cool imagry and a certain cinical attitude runs about like a little imp within Jethro Tulls work over all which I adore. The Wind Up is an amazing song with some of the greatest lyrics ever. The second CD with the faster version is to show germination on the tune. My God is one heck of a ride and another perfect song. Really daring for the time and still is. This album has a timeless quality as most of Tulls' work has. Ian Andersen is an interesting lyricist which I really enjoy. This a a Worthy Album and a Great Experience. He's not the kind you have to wind up on Sunday !!! He's an everyday God. My Best Friend and my biggest Mystery. I Love Him and am puzzled that He can Love me. It is an Honor and a learning experience for sure. This is a fantastic record. Love from Alaska. Space Quinlan
2015-07-03

Tracks: 8 Release date: 1972-03-03 $9.99

Tracks: 4 Release date: 1972-03-03 $11.99

Comments

1. Thick as a brick - What a great way to get lost in the textural rock sine waves of this LP, whether driving on a road trip, running or with starting the day with coffee and a newspaper. I love Van Morrison albums during these moments too, but this album injects its own version of caffeine to the experience.
2015-10-18

2. Iconic Concept Album Parady And Great - Above all a masterpiece of music and musicality. Concerning its origins front man, Ian Anderson, has stated that their previous release, Aqualung, had garnered the label "concept album" and in his mind it was no such thing. Thick as a Brick was his way of showing the world what a real "concept album" was. "the album was a spoof to the albums of Yes and Emerson, Lake & Palmer, much like what the movie Airplane! had been to Airport," Ian Anderson said in a telephone interview in the late 's.
2014-10-06

3. Why can't I give this more stars!? - I've personally been a huge fan of long songs, but this by far is my absolute favorite long song, maybe even my favorite song all together. Like come on, what other song has a keyboard solo, drum solo, guitar solo, and flute solo. I'm shocked that I haven't heard this song long ago. I first found out about this by googling "longest classic rock songs".
2014-07-18

Tracks: 8 Release date: 1974-09-27 $11.99

Comments

1. Horrible - If you want a good KC album buy Lizard. Fripp disbanded KC after this album as well he should have. Die hard KC fans call it a classic. And they should because it’s the sound they love. The first track is repetitive annoyance. Fallen Angel, track , is a very poor attempt at a KC ballad. The title of track pretty much describes this album. It truly is a nightmare. Track is a total waste of time. The final track “Starless”, is one of KC’s better prices of work. However, the minute song essentially ends after the first minutes. The remaining minutes is another waste of time for more of Fripp’s repetitive annoyance. Robert Fripp is obviously a gifted artist. But Red is a disaster today as it was when it was originally poorly received. If you’re still looking fro Fripps best work, start with KC’s first two albums. That is typical of many bands. They put out their best stuff on the first couple albums, and only the die hard fans hang on for the rest.
2020-06-08

2. Light-Years Ahead - Capping the early s period when Crimson really took flight as an avant-rock-whatever band, the instrumentals here, as on the previous Lark's Tongue and Starless, are stunning, challenging, virtuoso, and unlike anything any other rock-ish band was doing then, except maybe the equally brilliant Soft Machine. Never really warmed to the songs with vocals -- they always seemed like holdovers from the s -- but never mind. For the instrumentals alone these were -- are -- three great albums, light-years ahead of their time.
2019-02-04

3. Awesome - What can I say that hasn't already been said? This is one of the true masterpieces of the prog rock genre and one of my favorite albums. This album the th and last before a long hiatus, and as well as being the the rd album in the trilogy of the Bruford/Wetton lineup. So it has "finale" written all over it, and boy does it deliver. Red takes all the distinctive elements of previous albums (the heavy guitars, the improv, the wind instruments, the mellotron) and wraps into one package. The last song Starless is one of my favorites of all time, the last two minutes of this song are incredibly moving. Essential listening.
2017-11-18

4. The Sundown of a Dazzling Day - By late , King Crimson had recently completed a major tour in support of the Starless And Bible Black album, and were, despite the recent firing of David Cross, reaching a new peak of compositional and improvisational skill. After finishing off the US leg of the tour, Fripp and company entered the studio to complete Red, which would sadly be their final record together, KC's final record of the s, and one of their greatest albums of all time. Paring Crimson down to a trio meant losing the talents of two very fine players, but also opened up a lot of space within the music for the new trio to work with. This is immediately apparent on the fiery opening title cut, which was, along with "Larks' Tongues Part Two" and the occasional "st Century Schizoid Man", one of only three pieces to survive KC's demise. "Red", despite its intensity, is one of the simplest compositions KC cut during their initial run. It features Mark Charig, a former contributor on Poseidon, Lizard, and Islands, on bass cello in the extended middle section, the first of many guest appearances used to flesh out the group's sound over the course of the record. Next up is "Fallen Angel", which has the sad honor of being the final appearance of an acoustic guitar on a KC album, and also features Charig, this time on his main instrument, cornet, as well as Robin Miller, another former collaborator, on oboe. Their contributions lend the song's dynamic middle section a significantly jazzy feel, echoing the albums on which the had previously been a part. "One More Red Nightmare" closes out side one, and features a major usage of tritones, giving the piece a savage quality that is matched by the flurried solos of former member Ian MacDonald on alto saxophone. The tracks lyrics, penned by Wetton, mirror the dark nature of the piece in their depiction of a man's nightmare of a doomed flight while fast asleep on a Greyhound bus. A brilliant closer to a brilliant first side. Side two opens with the improvisation "Providence", named after the tour stop on which it was performed. The piece does not really develop until well over its halfway point, and is easily the weakest part of the album. I wonder why King Crimson chose this piece for Red when, in my opinion, other improvisations from their previous tour were far stronger and more dynamic. At any rate, this track marks the final appearance of David Cross on a KC track, and in a way serves as an extended prelude to what is probably the greatest KC song of all time, "Starless". While I could write an essay on my feelings for "Starless", I will make a long story short by saying that the piece acts as a musical encapsulation of all King Crimson was capable of and had accomplished during their initial year run. Opening with an ocean of mellotron, the track runs for nearly for minutes as an elegiac ballad, featuring truly beautiful lyrics that remain some of the most powerful KC has ever devised. This gives way to a lengthy instrumental movement that builds from a skeletal Robert Fripp guitar riff into an explosive climax that touches on many of the styles KC had employed over the course of their career, even featuring both of the bands previous woodwind players, Ian MacDonald and Mel Collins, on alto and soprano sax respectively. Returning to its opening theme after nearly minutes of a truly epic buildup is one of the most cathartic musical experiences I have ever had, and is even more powerful now that I can say I have seen it live (I caught the reunion tour; this track as the closer brought the house down!). Though Robert Fripp would tragically end the band immediately following its release, and abandon most of the material he had worked on before KC's s rebirth, Red stands as one of the all-time masterworks, and is clearly in the running for one of the greatest records of the s, if not all time.
2014-10-07

5. Must have - King Crimson's best albums are now on itunes. Just wait for Tool to follow suit. Along with ITCOTCK, Red is their most celebrated album, and "Starless" is generally considered their best song if not the greatest song in all of progressive rock. This is where King Crimson showed their heavy yet melodic side, and it has inspired everyone from Nirvana to Tool.
2014-09-19

6. Their finest hour - So glad these will be available for iTunes now. I own the albums, but am excited for those at least curious about this great band. This in particular is the culmination of greatnes that started with Larks' Tongues in Aspic, continued with Starless And Bible Black and a long touring schedule where their chops were refined. Kurt Cobain cited this as one of his favorite records, and is arguably the first progressive album with overt heavy metal elements.
2014-09-18

Tracks: 14 Release date: 1975-11-14 $7.99

Comments

1. How could this masterpiece not have a review - I believe I can measure my life as a before and after snapshot. The life I was and what experience now because of my exposure to Eno. This is one of the masterpieces of the art rock/ambient movement and the best of the jaw dropping albums he made in the early s. Strange but yet accessible at the same time. No one was making music like this then and now and it sounds completely modern and current. Brilliant. Buy it now. You need to have this music in your life.
2014-02-05

Tracks: 8 Release date: 1973-03-23 $11.99

Comments

1. Mega Frippage - I saw this tour. It was without Jamie Muir who'd already headed to the ashram or wherever, but it's one of my most memorable shows. It featured this music which was the direction Fripp would be going until the bands with Belew and Levin. Bassist John Wetton was the man who made fans begin to forget the one who got away, Greg Lake. Very strong live, also. For me though, this album is about Fripp and Bruford. Ah, the magical dynamics. I can still remember early listens of this album and marveling at the guts it took to do this music with a rock audience. The audacity of Fripp! To this day--
2020-04-24

2. The first of great LPs - Into the early s, a period of squishy so-called soft rock and prematurely geezerish arena rock and lots of treacly pop rock, Crimson launched astonishing albums -- this, Starless, and Red -- that redrew the leading edge of everything rockfish. The blistering instrumental tracks like Lark's Tongue Part were light-years ahead. Not so into the songs with vocals -- they harked back to the band's prog-rock s, and they'd soared far beyond prog by this point. But never mind. This is the first of great, great LPs.
2019-02-04

3. Awesome - One of the most challenging and unusual records in the Crimson catalog, and ultimately one of the most rewarding. I did not understand "Larks Tongues in Aspic" when I first heard it, but even so I could not help but feel as if the deficiency was on my part. This was King Crimson, after all! But soon it all made sense. Initially I was infuriated by the first three minutes of the record, which consist of repetitive but quiet percussive sounds that don't seem to be going anywhere. But then BANG! It explodes into pure chaos, and lets the listener know that the mad scientists are at work. There is such dynamic contrast here that is carried not only within individual tracks, but over the course of the entire record. There is a logical flow here, and the whole record feels like a big crescendo, culminating in one of Crimson's most well-loved tracks "Larks Tongues in Aspic Part Two." There is beauty here too. "Book of Saturday" and "Exiles" are played with such incredible subtlety, you forget that they are a rock band at all. Given the high degree of creativity that was occurring in , it is really an impressive feat that "Larks Tongues in Aspic" stands out as particularly imaginative. While, it was hinted at in Crimson's first four records, this was the first time that Fripp fully incorporated atonality into a rock framework. This alone is worthy of a great deal of attention. "Part Two" sounds like it is a direct homage to Bartok's String Quartet No. (fifth movement). The use of post-tonal harmony within the texture of rock allows Crimson to achieve a musical affect that others have not. Now it's the twenty-first century, but we have still yet to come up with a good answer to this curious disc.
2017-11-18

4. Beautiful - I love this album and the new expanded editions sounds so clear. Everything about this album is great: "Larks’ Tongues in Aspic" Parts and are harrowing and "Book of Saturday" and "Exiles" are beautiful. "The Talking Drum" is haunting and "Easy Money", my favorite off the album, is spectacular. Definitely recommended for any aspiring prog fan.
2016-09-02

5. Larks in Aspic - This is the one I would take into exile. For guitar players, the opening solo Is the most difficult to play of the era. Well worth the effort. This is a recording that gets better as it goes along. Close your eyes and listen to it. You will learn a lot more than anything I could impart here. Michael Davis
2015-07-17

6. Show the Colour of your Crimson Suspenders... - By , Fripp had tired of the conflict inherent in the Islands-Era lineup of the group, and desired to reconfigure the band to fit a radical new vision of King Crimson. The first recruit of the th Lineup of the Crims was improvisational percussionist Jamie Muir, whose use of found objects and unordinary sound effects would prove vital to the coming sessions. Next up was legendary drummer Bill Bruford, who would make the longest association of his career by leaving Yes at the height of their popularity due to dissatisfaction with the material; feeling that the more experimental Crimson freed him up to expand his creative talents. Singer and bassist John Wetton was secured from the band Family (who he had turned Fripp down to join nearly two years earlier), and the resulting lineup was completed by music teacher David Cross on violin. Within a month of forming, the new band had composed much of the material on the album, and set about honing their challenging compositions live. First up was the mammoth "Larks' Tongues In Aspic, Part One", which laid all of the skills of the new members out for all to see: replete with searing guitar, walls of percussion, thundering bass lines, and punctuating bursts of violin, the piece has remained a KC classic, and spawned a number of sequels over years of recording. Next up was the relatively simple ballad "Book Of Saturday", the sole respite from the chaos surrounding it; a beautiful track, it demonstrates the beauty KC is capable of when they tone down their grand ambitions. Side one closes with the epic "Exiles", a holdover from the late s that was completed by musical contributions from Wetton (including a rare KC piano showcase; the last ever in KC's discography) and lyrics from Wetton's friend, former Supertramp guitarist Richard Palmer-James. The song is a truly wonderful piece that echoes the powerful nostalgia present in its lyrics. Side two opens with "Easy Money", a piece that more than any other on the album displays Muir's talents at percussion. The wet slap he provides to accompany Bill Bruford in the track's opening really makes the song's abrupt intro stand out all the more, and he drums alongside Bruford fantastically in the song's extended instrumental middle section. Next up is "The Talking Drum", which builds very slowly to become a frenetic drum showcase, also featuring blistering guitar from Fripp and a typically monstrous bass line from Wetton. The high-pitched screech that ends the track bleeds into the immortal classic "Larks' Tongues In Aspic, Part Two", which is hands down the most brutal cut KC ever laid down. A thundering riff played on both guitar and bass is repeated throughout the song, held down by stunning rhythmic work from Bruford and Muir. My only criticism of the piece is what is, in my opinion, a truly awful violin solo from Cross that is atonal, screechy, and just plain bad; a sad counterpoint to the genius work he put forth earlier in the record. Larks' Tongues is probably my favorite overall Crimson album; if you have to own one, you could do a lot worse. Sadly, Muir would quit early in , never appearing on another Crimson album, but the lineup itself would endure past this loss, and David Cross' firing, to produce two more albums, both of which easily stand as KC classics in their own right.
2014-10-07

7. perfection - King Crimson: Robert Fripp – guitar, mellotron, devices, electric piano John Wetton – bass, vocals Bill Bruford – drums, percussion David Cross – violin, viola, mellotron, electric piano Additional personnel: George Chkiantz – engineer Peter Henderson – assistant engineer Richard Palmer-James – lyrics Tom Phillips – cover design "Equipment by Chris and Tex"
2014-10-07

8. Amazing album! - Finally! Crimson is on iTunes! To bad I have all three of the albums. Hopefully they’ll Release USA or Thrak on iTunes as well. Anyway this album is a must have for prog fans. Bill Bruford and Jamie Muir’s drumming combined with John Wetton’s bass and vocals, David Cross’s violin and mellotron, and of corse Robert Fripp’s guitar combine to make an album that will leave a lasting impression on you! By all means buy this album! You won’t regret it.
2014-09-20

9. KC classic - Apparently "Easy Money" has some explicit lyrics? I never noticed. Anyways, Larks is the beginning of KC's classic lineup of Fripp, Bruford, Wetton, and Cross and is their most experimental album. I would only suggest this to seasoned progressive rock fans after they've bought Court and Red, but it is very rewarding with several listens.
2014-09-19

Tracks: 14 Release date: 1969-07-25 $9.99

Comments

1. Great album cover!!! - My favorite album cover of all time. Great music, too! I think six of these ten songs are great and I like how the three last song titles together form a sentence! My four favorite songs are A New Day Yesterday, Bouree, Look Into The Sun and Fat Man. My favorite line of Fat Man is my favorite, "Roll us both down a mountain and I'm sure the fat man would win". The only two songs that I don't love are Back To The Family and For A Thousand Mothers, which sound a tad sloppy and Anderson's vocals are buried in the mix. Other than that, a great five star album.
2015-12-30

2. Best cross section of Jethro Tull - I had most of the Tull library….. I wore out Benefit and Living in the Past among others until I decided to “finally” get Stand Up. This is now my favorite. Tull’s musical diversity and sheer virtuosity on every instrument. Rock, ballads and just plain whimsical they can do it all and have solidified them as one of my all time favorite bands.
2014-06-13

3. A 'Classic—Must Have’ album for the Rock Collector. - I can’t believe there is not a review for this album. Tull was an rock icon in the late ’s and early ’s. Suppose the reason it has not been reviewed is that it so well accepted as one of the hottest sounds that defined the times. You can put this album on again and again, yet it remains so fresh.
2013-12-15

Tracks: 11 Release date: 1970-05-15 $11.99

Comments

1. First impressions can be misleading - Upon my first full listen of the complete album start to finish, I was not particularly impressed. However, I gave the album another few listens all the way through and the music grew on me. Some of the tracks are very noticeably jazz-influenced, which I personally enjoy. "Pictures of a City" strongly resembles the opening track to the group's debut album ITCOTKC with the fast guitar licks and drum fills, as well as the stop-and-go rhythm. The title track has also grown on me in part due to the mellotron accompaniment, but also resembles "Epitaph" from the previous album a bit. I think the group kept some of its key musical ideas from the previous album, but added more jazz and experimentation to this album. While I would not consider any of the tracks a "masterpiece," the experimentation is a central idea to King Crimson which I really appreciate. My current favorites are "Cadence and Cascade" and "Cat Food". The former is soothing and uplifting, the ladder is humorous and jazzy. "The Devils Triangle" is a track I have not quite understood yet. I believe the track is based on one of Gustav Holst's pieces, so I will have to do some comparison there in musical themes. I enjoy Haskell's vocals particularly, and I think his vocals are central to his featured tracks. Overall, the album is not stellar but it is enjoyable for listening. If you are serious about exploring Crimson's music, this is certainly worth the purchase.
2019-05-04

2. Great album, love the cover. - A terrific album. Not too dissimilar from the first album, which is no surprise and no disappointment. My favorite songs are Cadence and Cascade, In The Wake Of Poseidon and Cat Food. The only song I don’t care for is Pictures Of A City, which to me sounds like a re-write of st Century Schizoid Man. Wonderful gatefold cover, which makes it essential to have on vinyl.
2019-01-08

3. Not their best. - This is pretty much In the Court of the Crimson King part two. The songs are not as strong as the songs from their first album. Not saying that it is a bad album because it is far from bad. The best songs from the album are “Pictures of the City”, “Cadence and Cascade”, and the weird but enjoyable “Cat Food”. I am not a big fan of the title track which is pretty much an inferior version of “Epitaph” or the “The Devils Triangle”. One good thing about this album is that it still had Michael Giles on drums because he gives a great performance if not better than the first album. Great album, but there are better Crimson albums.
2018-04-01

4. Time Has Flown By - I remember this from my childhood (eight year old) beginning to learn to play the guitar,In The Wake Of Poseidon was and is still my favorite from the album.These guys along with Yes,ELP,and The Dregs shaped the way I listened to music for life (very genre free) I love Music and listening to any music from the pass takes me back in memory of times with loved ones who are no longer here and some times I sit on the patio headphones on looking into the blue sky and do just that (go back in time) This is great Music,Peace Hector V. (The One)
2018-03-10

5. Rediscovered this masterpeice - Back when In the Wake of Posiden first came out, I was a little dissapointed because I wanted m ore of In the Court of the Crimson King. I can apprecieate this music so much more now, though, now that I'm not a teenager with narrow tastes. I saw King Croimspon live a few nights ago and they played a killer rendition of "Picutes of a City".
2017-10-24

Tracks: 24 Release date: 2015-12-21 $15.99

Comments

1. Incredible - It is people favorite undertale songs but spiced with rock. I recommend it largely to those who love undertale! The only problem is that people think it’s all cover but it’s not. They must’ve put a lot of work into to the music for it to sound so unique. Also I look forward to more like this and maybe subscribing to their channels.This music fills you with Determination! -DarkComet
2019-05-21

2. Ok, I guess - The first few were super good quality. They were really more than just covers, they're amazing pieces of work. Anything just about after Nihilist just isn't good. The first half of the album is great, high quality rock covers that give a new feel to the undertale soundtrack, however the second half sounds like a completely different album, and not in a good way. Would totally recommend the first half, but I'm super disappointed with the second half.
2018-03-02

3. Making What's Great Even Better - I had nearly forgotten about this, right up until I started thinking about how I haven't gotten around to finishing Undertale. Then I remembered the amazing work these two did to take a great game's soundtrack, and make it into something even more enjoyable. Whether it be a satisfying metal cover of your favorite battle theme, or a version of Undertale (the track) that hits you like a freight train and takes you on a feels trip, there's a little bit of something for just about anyone who adored Undertale here. A must have for any Undertale fan.
2016-06-21

4. HOII IM TEMMIE AND THIS ALBUM ROCKS! - Hello, I'm here to rate this album. This album is covers, but given life in a newer form. There's two people took making covers of songs to next level, it's just that amazing. Yes, the songs/covers have been renamed so it may be hard to find a certain song in here, but all covers have been put in here, and it's amazing. Overall, I love listening to this in a long car ride, I rate this / stars!
2016-05-31

5. DETERMINED - LOVE Undertale. Toby Fox is amazing and so are RichaadEB and Ace Waters!!!! I bought this before it was available on iTunes because I just couldn't wait!! I make everyone who rides in my car or comes to my house listen because it's just too good not to share. I am SO GLAD this is an official thing!
2016-01-09

6. “Oh yesss” - I cannot remember exactly when I stumbled on Richaad’s original metal covers on YouTube, but I ca at least say that I am VERY glad to be able to download song from his (and Ace’s) album. The music is powerful, and there are a couple instances of differing interpretations of the same song/theme.
2016-01-09

7. More than covers. More like reimagining. - For anyone not aware, this is an dual album made by two talented youtube musicians, Ace Waters & RichaadEB, inspired by and remade from music from the indie hit game Undertale. For anyone ready to write these tunes off as “just covers”, you’re only a quarter of the way right. Yes, these are the same songs in the game. But, they’ve been given new life twice or thrice over with either a hard hitting Prog-Rock sound or a sweeping electronic (and even orchestral) music-scape. Each song was crafted with love and patience necessary to make something better than “good” and it shows through the readily available Youtube videos with songs from this album. The defined term for the word Fantastic is "imaginative or fanciful; remote from reality”. This music is fantastic, in that, it takes you away to the game or any other fun place in your mind and gives you an enjoyable ride from start to end. This album is Fantastic and you shouldn’t waste anymore time not listening to it.
2015-12-28

Tracks: 11 Release date: 1974-03-29 $11.99

Comments

1. Still the Sibilance - After half a lifetime, this remains my favorite KC opus—despite the sibilance that clips the treble off most of these songs. I was hoping that the iTunes mastering might have alleviated it (and it did to a certain extent) but the hiss still degrades the beauty of "Great Deceiver" especially. Oh well.
2017-12-22

2. Peerless - The whole album is genius, but it is worth a buy for The Night Watch alone. One of the two greatest rock songs about a classic painting (the other being Tales of Brave Ulysses), The Night Watch masterly combines evocative lyrics about the Dutch Golden age with innovative guitar work. When I saw the painting in a museum in Amsterdam I immediately hummed this tune.
2017-06-25

3. Better than you thought - In neither the iTunes Album Review nor any of the current reviews (four of them at this time) is it noted that the majority of the music on this album was recorded in concert. The concert recordings were carefully edited (to remove almost every trace of audience noise) and in some cases were spliced with segments of studio music, in others studio tracks were mixed in with the live recordings. One of the most incredible things on this most incredible album is the song "Trio." It starts slowly and subdued (and kind of remains that way), but give it a minute or two. The essence of melancholy distilled into a pure musical form. Most amazing of all: it was recorded in concert, and was completely improvised. Note that the credits for the song are "Cross, Fripp, Wetton, Bruford." Bruford didn't play on it, but Fripp felt he deserved a songwriting credit (for an improvised piece on which he does not play, mind you) since he was free to join in at any time. His choice to NOT play was considered a contribution in itself. I want this song to be played at my funeral. All great tracks, "Fracture" is a particularly menacing piece of work. Worth noting, most of the original concert recordings have subsequently been released.
2016-09-06

4. Genius - Pure Genius. One of KC's best. It uses the best elements of the band excellent moments of dissonance, long slowly changing songs. Songs bubbling over with evil or creepiness. It also features some shorter energy filled songs such as the great deceiver. It also features some of rock's best drumming from bruford and fripps superb guitar playing.
2015-04-14

Tracks: 12 Release date: 1975-09-05 $9.99

Comments

1. Minstrel in the gallery - I’m sorry, but Jethro Tull is one of the greatest bands of all time. Ian Anderson and Martin Barre are both geniuses. The song Minstrel in the Gallery is a compendium of everything good about the band and about the music of the s. It is such an ambitious song - it is both a history lesson and a modern story. But the guitar playing is truly spectacular and sublime. The rhythm section had to be spot on at every turn. All kinds of odd time signatures and the difficulty of keeping it all straight and anticipating each section (strung together by excellent and difficult musical and percussive transitions including the use of the cowbell). I cannot even imaging the clear-headed work that went into producing this one song. As a kid, Minstrel in the Gallery was one of my favorites and still is. Thank you to JT for many years of creative, interesting, and engaging music and poetry!
2019-12-05

2. : Minstrel In The Gallery - While few would say this is Tull's "best" album, I will say it is my "favorite" one because of where I was in my own life---geographically and existentially---in , and what the music meant to me at the time. If I had to pick just one Tull song to listen to---a cruel task indeed---it would be Baker Street Muse.....it's the "full Tull."
2018-07-25

3. I love the title track. - I love the song Minstrel In The Gallery, especially the second half, which I was introduced to on the Repeat compilation. I just wished I liked the rest of it as much. I find that there is too much of Ian Anderson and his acoustic guitar and not enough contributions by the band themselves. Some of this I find quite dull. Yet, I do like Cold Wind To Valhalla and parts of Black Satin Dancer and Baker Street Music. And Ian Anderson is still in great voice here. It is so sad what has happened to his voice the past two or three decades. He was one of my singing influences when I was a wee lad. Not a bad Tull album but not a great one unfortunately.
2018-04-14

4. Blues travel lore - saw Jethro Tull working through critical reviews of a couple of their previous albums ; this one breaking free of that criticism . The song listing is fresh ; polished ; energized . About this time the band were building / recording from an alternative studio ; resulting in more control / time for their sessions and having a more relaxed sense about them . musicianship is superb on this one .
2016-07-10

Tracks: 8 Release date: 1978-03-01 $7.99

Comments

1. Blew Me Away - Wow. Bought this in Mertyl Beach, South Carolina while on leave from Parris Island /. My hick roommate from Macon Ga. Used to say: "you're weird" because I'd play this along with the Dixie Dregs and Pink Floyd. I was ahead of my time too. Was the first time too hear Holdsworth. Who else plays like that? No one! I still have the LP and will always keep it. Highly recommend.
2019-04-02

2. top shelf - Where prog and fusion merge, but with more than a dollop of anticipation for the New Wave to come. This album captures a fortuitous but brief moment in these musicians' histories. Bruford is a language unto himself and is near the height of his powers here. Holdsworth's exceptional dexterity is simultaneously precise, dark and dissonant. Jobson's career is launching at this point after cutting his teeth with Zappa. And this was really the last time Wetton satisfied.
2017-06-22

3. One of the greatest albums of all time - These reviews are all great but I wanted to add a note on the sad passing of John Whetton today. I have lovingly and attentively immersed myself in music for years and the UK album stands out as one of the all-time greats. I'm particularly a fan of Bill Bruford (check out his "The Autobiography") where he talks about the majesty of the Holdsworth solo on In The dead of Night. But beneath it all was Whetton - and so many of the groups whos music I loved - King Crimson, Asia, and UK. RIP John - you and this amazing album will live on for a long time...
2017-01-31

4. U.K. - As stated by other reviews.. Band was FAR ahead of the times..and never had a chance because of changes in the line up shortly after the release of this album. Bruford was replaced with Bozzio..!! Hollowsworth left the band and was not replaced. So, future albums were as a trio. Was very fortunate.. Saw the original line up in Los Angles and then.. Saw Trio... For me.. The threesome was actually better. At the time.. Bozzio was just infectious and they just played the material so well together. I was so disappointed when they released the last album .. Which was live... I knew that was the End..!! Of one of the greatest Progressive Bands that ever existed..!! Until their Reunion some years later... This album " IS A MUST HAVE ".. if you are lover of Progressive Rock..!!!
2015-08-06

5. Ahead of its time - This is a notable example of a band too far ahead of its time to garner wide acceptance. John Wetton bass & vocals, Bill Bruford drums, Allan Holdsworth guitar & Eddie Jobson keyboards, violin are all powerhouse musicians; together they are almost too talented individually to be in one group. It was the era of disco, punk & the end of the "classic" rock era. They didn't exactly fit into any of these categories well but like all great art their work here is timeless and can be appreciated outside the context of what was cool or fashionable in its time.
2014-02-25

Tracks: 7 Release date: 1970-12-11 $11.99

Comments

1. Their best in my opinion - I know a handful of their albums are ranked above this one. But in my opinion, it’s not even close. Lizard is head and shoulders above the rest. This is their second release, and I think they really expanded everything here before going back to their standard formula. Normally a KC album opens with a head banger, followed by a lovely ballad, back to some middle of the road music, culminating with the best song on the album last. Lizard opens with some very unique songs that can be heavy and jazzy. The instrumentation and mixing on this album sets it apart from the others. Then it finishes with the Lizard suite that can be mesmerizing. I recommend this to all who want to dip their toe into their music. I can go back and listen to this one over and over, and I do that less frequently with some of their other albums that critics rate higher. This one is a classic.
2020-06-07

2. Lizard - Lizard is a very strange album in s Crimson. It starts off with "Cirkus" which is a dark, spooky song with incredible instrumentation. The Lizard suite features Yes vocalist Jon Anderson in the "Prince Rupert Awakes" section. The second half of the Lizard suite has a very haunting atmosphere to it very similar to "Cirkus". I would recommend this album.
2017-08-18

3. Superb, as always from KC - Along with most of their work from the period of its founding in to , Lizard stands out as a completely unique style and sound, unlike any other King Crimson project. This album showcases a heavier Jazz focus than some other works by KC, but still retains the same signature prog rock sound that is present in all of their other projects. I especially enjoy the little cameo of Jon Anderson from the band Yes on part of the title track, another one of my favorite bands. If you like any of King Crimson's early stuff, you'll definitely love this. Highly recommend it.
2017-06-07

4. My god this sounds good - Already a fan of the band and this album, this might be the eight time I'm purchasing this in yet another configuration since the early s and this is BY FAR the superior version. It sounds brand new. Not going to review the albums contents other than to say it's a high point of their early output and frankly I love everything they ever did. Robert Fripp is vastly underrated both as a guitarist and musical visionary even though he is revered he is even better still.
2015-10-18

5. unique - Completely unique. No one else sounds like King Crimson, and no other King Crimson sounds like Lizard. The title track alone contains several of my favorite moments in music. I can't speak to the added tracks in this version, but every song from the original stands out, yet fits well into the entire album. Personally, I'd suggest listening to it from beginning to end if you do. It's what I used to do as a kid, when I was supposed to be sleeping... The whole thing has a haunting otherness to it. It's rock with a much heavier dose of jazz and classical influences than usual, but even that description is reductive. And the lyrics. At the end of Indoor Games, the singer cracks up at the absurdity of what he's singing. I believe Fripp has been quoted as saying that King Crimson was less a band, and more a way of doing things. In that sense, Lizard may be the most Crimson of all their albums.
2015-08-05

6. May not be everyone's taste, but I love it!! - I am a long time Crimson fan. Lizard is one of my favorite albums of theirs. It is different from traditional albums and may not be everyone's cup of tea. Casual Crimson fans may not enjoy the minute Lizard title track. But for me, I can't get enough. Lizard is a master piece. So deep and multi layered. I often pick up something new when I listen. It's like looking at a complex work of art. Jon Anderson from Yes on vocals! Nice. The guitar playing on Cirkus from Fripp is haunting and I just can't get enough of it. It draws you in. This album is more Jazz-rock. Peter Sinfield's lyrics paint a poetic picture through out. Happy Family, written about the Beatles breakup, great. Download this album, put the headphones on, and sit back and take the journey. I have owned it for years but am buying it again here so I can get the studio take of Cirkus. Can't wait to listen!
2015-04-26

7. Deep - Robert Fripp – guitar, Mellotron, synthesizer, organ, devices Peter Sinfield – lyrics, VCS, pictures Mel Collins – saxophone, flute Gordon Haskell – bass guitar, vocals Andy McCulloch – drums Additional musicians Keith Tippett – acoustic and electric pianos Robin Miller – oboe, cor anglais Mark Charig – cornet Nick Evans – trombone Jon Anderson – vocals (track ) Other personnel Robin Thompson – engineering Geoff Workman – tapes
2015-04-14

Tracks: 14 Release date: 1970-04-20 $9.99

Comments

1. A neutered Bunker nearly ruins it. - This album puts the bravura drumming of Clive Bunker on some kind of tranquilizer and it really effects the overall quality. Bunker's hard bop swing and furious, propulsive fills are conspicuously replaced by straight ahead, unremarkable time keeping and one can only speculate that this lead to his eventual departure from the band.
2021-04-10

2. A sad album - Some great songs here, like Nothing To Say, Teacher, Sossity and A Time For Everything, but also some filler, like Son and For Michael Collins, Jeffrey and Me. I have always considered this to be a sad album. It’s lacking the sense of humor and variety of Stand Up. Still, this is a very good Jethro Tull album.
2019-06-21

3. Blues Travel Lore - This album is / was a very good album of its time ; the songs are quite good and the musicianship of this band would continue to evolve with the bands line up . I venture to say that in the many years to come that critics will still have good things to say about Jethro Tulls music into the future ..............
2019-03-19

Tracks: 11 Release date: 1978-04-10 $9.99

Comments

1. Quite a charming album. - I really like this album. I don’t think there is even one bad song on it. And I love the sound of the album, with it’s blend of acoustic and electric guitars and flute and keyboards. Quite a classy album. The only downside to the album is Ian Anderson’s singing voice, which started to get a little rusty and scratched (it unfortunately would get much worse). My favorite songs are No Lullaby, Rover and Weathercock. Ripping good stuff!
2018-04-14

2. Awe-Inspiring - There is not one single 'lesser' song on this whole album. Simply amazing from start to finish. I was not really a Tull fan until I found this album, originally in a cassette that I had, for some forgotten reason, checked out of the Richmond, VA public library, of all things! That was twenty-four years ago, and I could still listen to this every day and it would be just as impressive to my ears. Everyone should hear 'No Lullaby', one of the greatest musical works ever recorded!
2017-04-10

Tracks: 5 Release date: 2012-03-12 Get

Tracks: 15 Release date: 1984-03-27 $11.99

Comments

1. The album that got me into King Crimson oddly enough... - When I first heard Three of a Perfect Pair and Model Man, I couldn't get enough of it. I still remember driving back from work some nights blaring Sleepless out of my car. A year or so later and now I'm a huge 's KC and Adrian Belew fan. Great album.
2016-09-05

2. Dig Me…but don’t bury me - King Crimson’s trifecta of Discipline, Beat and Three of a Perfect Pair was the soundtrack to my wry, erudite group of friends’ high school years. The musicianship is so phenomenal and intricate that it rolls over the considerable pretensions to the point where they can be enjoyed on their own terms. I would be interested to see the reaction of someone who had never heard this music before - I would imagine it would be almost shocking. Highly recommended.
2016-03-29

Tracks: 2 Release date: 1973-07-13 $6.99

Comments

1. The Tour - Saw this tour which was synched to various short films and done of a piece as is the album. It was even more technically rigorous than Thick as a Brick but in the era of Yes, Emerson, Lake and Palmer, and Mahavishnu Orchestra, Ian's lads blasted right through. Quite impressive and an evening I still recall fondly. The point: an intense studio album of progressive music that the band vividly presented live.
2017-04-04

2. One of Tull’s best. - Couldn’t agree less with the iTunes review. A PASSION PLAY sustains itself musically throughout its entire length, and the ext a frills taken with the classic Tull sound (saxophone, synths, etc.) blend in quite well. I think Ian Anderson, who wrote the lyrics, was doing another p-take on concept albums, much as Tull (and Gerald Bostock) did on THICK AS A BRICK—and it’s not as if rock, progressive or otherwise, hasn’t seen its share of inscrutable lyrics before! This is not as immediately accessible as was BRICK, pays off with repeated listens.
2013-12-31

Tracks: 10 Release date: 1982-06-18 $11.99

Comments

1. FINALLY ON ITUNES - You guys don’t even understand, this is the first time King Crimson’s albums are available digitally! This is one of my favorite albums, it’s like a Talking Heads album that I enjoy more than any real Talking Heads album. Definitely buy “Heartbeat” and buy the whole thing if you’re cool
2016-04-08

Tracks: 15 Release date: 1993-10-12 $19.99

Comments

1. Not Squire and White for a reason - Not labeled as Yes for a reason. Squire and White were in Yes at the time of this and Anderson Bruford Wakeman and Howe could not use the name Yes. When the studio album came out in they were at the Spectrum in Philly. one of the greatest three hour show I've seen.
2017-06-28

2. Incredible!!!! - Just bought a brand new, copy of this (all fifteen() songs!! And I don't know how anyone can say these songs are too weak! This is without a doubt the best collection of Yes music, my stereo and headphones have ever had electricity running through them!!!!! How I never had a copy of this is beyond me! INCREDIBLE-----
2015-03-23

3. Great Live Recording - Nice live recording of the ABWH tour but sorely missing what this group represented during its short formation. It's a shame the actual studio album is not available here. Perhaps one day there will be a release. Until then younger generations will miss out on discovering some fine music.
2012-06-27

4. Superb Performance - ABWH was a revelation when the studio album hit stores, restoring what for many of us was the true Yes sound, albeit mixed with a little playfulness in such tunes as "Teakbois." The virtuosity is perhaps most evident in Rick Wakeman's frenetic version of "Catherine Parr," which he plays at a pace that, had I not seen it for myself during the Seattle show, I would have found difficult to believe. Anderson, as always, soars on vocals, adding his unusual spirituality. Howe takes his guitar playing from achingly delicate to drivingly powerful. Bruford, meanwhile, keeps all of the elements together with a playful style and meter-shattering skill, perhaps most evident in "Heart of the Sunrise," one of my personal favorites. I can't say I was sad to see the Yes name revived not long after with the "Union" album, but it lacked the strength and cohesion of this outing, and while individual Yes songs have reached great heights, I don't feel that any Yes album released since has matched what ABWH achieved.
2010-09-04

5. Too Weak. - I love the idea of the ABWH songs, but without Chris Squire & Alan White it just lacks any emotion. At that time Bill Bruford used way too many electronic drums. The harmonies that YES are known for are also missing. I would love to here YES with Squire & White take on these well written songs.
2010-05-31

6. Attn: stilllookingforit - The idea behind giving reviews is to review the album presented, which in this case is the live ABWH. It makes no sense for you to rate it one star for the simple fact that you can't find the studio album by ABWH. At least Bobby Vox and karibourgous (sp?) gave legit reasons for their scores. I may not agree with them, but I can respect them. Not you. My stars serves a duo purpose. To give my ranking and to soften yours. Good day, sir!
2009-06-22

7. Yes! - I first heard Yes in , and it's amazing to me that these guys are still cranking out their classics after all these years. If you are looking to discover Yes for the first time, this is a wonderful place to start. If, like me, you have been a fan of yes for years this live performance is just incredible. Rick Wakeman is just lights out extraordinary, and while Jon Anderson's vocals are still as powerful and passionate as ever, the rest of the boys in the band display their remarkable talent and really carry this album. While bucks is not a small price to pay, this is album for the ages and worth the price for any audiophile.
2008-06-08

Tracks: 9 Release date: 1989-06-19 $8.99

Comments

1. This album got me into prog. - This album was a gateway for me into the prog world! Before listening to this album, all I listened to was Emerson, Lake, & Palmer and The Moody Blues. One day though, dad played this for me in the car…. I got hooked o the wonderful voice of Jon Anderson who I than found out guested on a King Crimson album. So I ventured beyond the Greg Lake era and brought it. Then, after that, I began listening to all kinds of prog. That probably wouldn’t have happened without hearing this album. PLEASE BUY THIS ALBUM, IT IS EPIC!!!!
2015-01-18