King Crimson - Larks' Tongues In Aspic (1973) [CD+DVD-A] {2012, 40th Anniversary Series}

×

King Crimson - Larks' Tongues In Aspic (1973) [CD+DVD-A] {2012, 40th Anniversary Series}

Close

King Crimson - Larks' Tongues In Aspic (1973) [CD+DVD-A] {2012, 40th Anniversary Series}
EAC Rip | FLAC (image+.cue+log) - 375 MB | Scans PNG - 96 MB | MP3 CBR 320 kbps (LAME 3.98) - 156 MB
DVD-A | ISO+MDS - 7,39 GB | Audio: MLP: 5.1 / 2.0 (24/96) | DTS: 5.1 (24/48) | LPCM: 2.0 (24/48)
Genre: rock | RAR 5% Rec. | Label: DGM / Panegyric | CAT # KCSP5 | 2012

Two-disc CD/DVD-A package. Remixed for 5.1 Surround Sound from the original studio masters by Steven Wilson (Porcupine Tree) and fully approved by Crimson founder Robert Fripp. CD features a completely new 2012 stereo album mix by Robert Fripp & Steven Wilson, as well as three extra, previously unreleased, alt takes/mixes by Steven Wilson. DVD A (compatible will all DVD players and DVD Rom players) features a 5.1 DTS Mix and High Resolution Stereo mix (24bit/48khz). DVD A players, and some Blu Ray players can, additionally access a 5.1 Advanced Resolution (Lossless Audio) mix. DVD A features both the original album mix, new album mix and an album's worth of alternate mixes by Steven Wilson in High Resolution stereo.

×

King Crimson - Larks' Tongues In Aspic (1973) [CD+DVD-A] {2012, 40th Anniversary Series}

Close

DVD A also features over 30 minutes of rare, previously unseen footage of the band, something of a holy grail for Crimson fans. Presented as a 2 digipak format in a slipcase with extensive new sleeve notes by King Crimson biographer Sid Smith along with rare photos and archive material.

Once again, King Crimson shifted lineups, only this time it was far more dramatic– after having toured without lyricist Peter Sinfield, the entire band left, leaving Fripp on his own. A blessing in disguise, the band that assembled for this recording was full of such musical muscle and subtlety that they were able to turn out what may be the best of the King Crimson material (its a tough call, there's a number of stunning albums by them). This is also the first Crimson formation not to feature a saxaphone. Joining Robert Fripp (guitar, mellotron) are David Cross (violin, viola, mellotron), John Wetton (bass, vocals), Bill Bruford (drum kit), and Jamie Muir (percussion). Lyrics this time were handled by Richard Palmer-James– getting away from the imagery of Peter Sinfield allowed the band's songs to flourish in different fashions.

But also allowing the band to flourish is the delicate balance they created– Muir as a percussionist would play everything from mouth harps, thumb pianos, and chains slamming against gongs created his own dynamics without the influence of everyone else, likewise Bill Bruford at the kit could manage both power and subtlety, whereas Cross' violin and Wetton's bass were in opposition, both in register and in expressiveness– Wetton is a brutally aggressive bass player. Fripp somehow counterbalanced all of this.

×

King Crimson - Larks' Tongues In Aspic (1973) [CD+DVD-A] {2012, 40th Anniversary Series}

Close

In many ways, this is also the band shedding their progressive rock leanings in terms of the traditional "prog" sound– there's not the emphasis on harmonied instruments, mellotrons, etc. The approach is a lot cleaner and in many ways far less limiting.

A couple of the tracks here have their origins in the past– the album opener, "Larks' Tongues in Aspic, Part One" (themes of which showed up in Crimson improvs from Fripp's guitar in '71/'72), is a signal of the future, from its delicate intro percussion, aggressive violin lines, and explosive guitar riffing, this clearly illustrates something else is happening here. Dynamically challenging, musically complex, and capable of both directness and subtlety, the piece is a sign of brilliance to unfold, both on this and throughout the album. Structurally, its looser than any of the previous instrumental Crimson material, when you want a musician to explode, he does. Also developed from older material is "Exiles"– the opening theme was originally performed by the '69 band live as "Mantra". Both this and "Book of Saturday" are the ballads on the record– "Book of Saturday" illustrates the softer side of the band, pretty violin figures and delicate guitar are the highlights of this piece. "Exiles", having its old origins, has a slightly older feel to it, almost similar in content to "Epitaph" or "The Court of the Crimson King", the piece has a more timeless quality to it brought about by the use of the mellotron as a highlight rather than a driving force. Wetton's voice is full of passion that was too often missing in the earlier band.

The second half of the album, as though to underplay the dynamic complexity and delicacy of the first half, is aggressive– the band assumes a muscular stance right away with the obnoxious and stunning riff on "Easy Money"– Wetton sings largely unaccompanied but the band falls upon themselves with a furious nature. A laughing box fades and "The Talking Drum" begins– quiet a first, then building a repeated bass figure under which percussion work thrives, a soaring, aggressive, almost insistent violin lead bleeds into sustained guitar phrases from Fripp until almost like the train hitting the breaks– the squeal arrives, and the piece transforms into the mighty "Larks' Tongues in Aspic, Part Two". Probably the highlight of the album, Larks 2 is a driving and insistent guitar riff in 9, phrases that turn each other around, and an explosive bridge, the piece boils over and is pure magic.

For fans of unique and powerful music, look no further, this album is genius. Probably difficult to get into if you're not ready for it, but without a doubt some of the most stunning rock music ever recorded.

David Cross – violin, viola, mellotron
Robert Fripp – guitar, mellotron & devices
John Wetton - bass, vocals & piano
Bill Bruford – drums
Jamie Muir – percussion & allsorts

01. Larks Tongues In Aspic Pt I
02. Book Of Saturday
03. Exiles
04. Easy Money
05. The Talking Drum
06. Larks Tongues In Aspic Pt II

bonus tracks
07. Larks Tongues In Aspic Pt I (Alternative Mix)
08. Book Of Saturday (Alternative Mix)
09. The Talking Drum (Alternative Mix)

×

King Crimson - Larks' Tongues In Aspic (1973) [CD+DVD-A] {2012, 40th Anniversary Series}

Close

DVD (original album audio only)
01 - Larks' Tongues In Aspic (Part I)
02 - Book Of Saturday
03 - Exiles
04 - Easy Money
05 - The Talking Drum
06 - Larks' Tongues In Aspic (Part II)

2012 Surround Remix - MLP Lossless 5.1 and DTS 5.1 Digital
2012 Stereo Remix - MLP Lossless 24/96 and PCM 24/48
1973 Original Mix (2000 remaster) - PCM 24/48

DVD (alternate takes and mixes audio only)
01 - Larks' Tongues In Aspic (Part I) (Alt mix)
02 - Book Of Saturday (Alt take)
03 - Exiles (Alt mix)
04 - Easy Money (Jamie Muir solo)
05 - The Talking Drum (Alt mix)
06 - Larks' Tongues In Aspic (Part II) (Alt mix)
07 - Easy Money (Alt take)

2012 Stereo Remix PCM 24/48

DVD (video content)
01 - Improv: The Rich Tapestry Of Life
02 - Exiles
03 - Larks' Tongues In Aspic (Part I)
04 - Larks' Tongues In Aspic (Part I)
(as broadcast on Beat Club)

×

King Crimson - Larks' Tongues In Aspic (1973) [CD+DVD-A] {2012, 40th Anniversary Series}

Close

×

King Crimson - Larks' Tongues In Aspic (1973) [CD+DVD-A] {2012, 40th Anniversary Series}

Close

×

King Crimson - Larks' Tongues In Aspic (1973) [CD+DVD-A] {2012, 40th Anniversary Series}

Close

×

King Crimson - Larks' Tongues In Aspic (1973) [CD+DVD-A] {2012, 40th Anniversary Series}

Close

Thanks to gerrV & tjana!