I was thinking about picking up some King Crimson albums, haven't heard much by them, figured I need to catch up. Any suggestions where to start?

I'd say the best place to begin would be the beginning -In The Court of the Crimson King. "21st Century Schizoid Man", "Moonchild", "I Talk to the Wind" and the title track are great winners. Been ages since I've heard the 2nd album, In The Wake of Poseidon. Though I don't own a copy, I recall liking the record. After these two releases, I only heard one of their '80s albums, whose title escapes me now though I didn't care for it. So I'd recommend the debut album first and foremost.

I'm not really a King Crimson expert, but I can tell you that pretty much all practical knowledge points to In The Court of the Crimson King as their masterpiece. Along with Red, it's really their album that people other then King Crimson enthusiasts can agree on. Most of their other work that I've heard just shows the band getting a bit too big. In The Court of Crimson King can be a bit too big at times, but it comes back down enough times to keep my attention. It's also an early (maybe the first?) representation of "progressive" rock, so it's got quite a bit of historical significance as well.

I've been a fucking mad in the Crim-head Crimson fan for over 20 years, and the most important thing to know about King Crimson is that Robert Fripp, the guitarist/songwriter is the only constant over their recording career.

This means that you may find yrself enjoying one K.C. incarnation much more than another.
For example, The 80's Crimson is a beast of an altogether different, leaner, poppier style than say, the mid '70's lineup.

So, with that in mind, I shall recommend three starter albums from the three distinct periods we Crim-heads have identified in the fosssil record, plus Thrak, a rather lonely studio effort from post the '80's group.

1. In the Court of the Crimson King remains the best place to sample the early style; florid, wordy and full of strange and wonderful arrangements.

2. Starless & Bible Black. The second period begins in 1973 with Larks' Tongue in Aspic, and ends with Red late in '74. But for my money, Starless is the best of the three, much as I adore all the others. Here Crimson get really heavy, ferocious, abso-fucking-lutely mental...but to hear the best of this lineup, I recommend the box set, The Great Deceiver.
This lineup is my favourite: Bill Bruford, an exemplary drummer just to begin with....

3. Discipline. 1981 Very difficult for me to choose between this and Beat. New lineup, new trilogy; rounded out by Three of a Perfect Pair.
Watch as Crimson, with the very heavy input of Andrian Belew mutate into something very Talking Heads-ish.
Groovy, romantic but still utterly K.C.

4. Thrak . 1995 Enter the 'double-trio', and one motherfucker of a band. You wanna be blown away by a rock band who understand improv....this is brilliant.

After this, there is a deluge of live recordings from seemingly every year the band ever worked!!!
Particularly good of these live efforts is West Coast Live, where you will hear stuff unlike anything else on Earth.

As evidenced by my writings, I am head over heels in love with all things Crimson, so with all my heart I urge you to try them out.
I hear 'The Night Watch' for example, and I go beyond bliss....it just feels like existence itself....

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Kulturtrager,

I'll go with Thrak and Discipline.

Great albums. Some of the prog-rock purists didn't like it when Belew got involved, but they aren't using their ears enough - he's incredible. Amazing voice and a brilliant guitarist - although Robert Fripp is still the main attraction.

If you get into this stuff, it's also worth looking into Brian Eno's back catalogue if you haven't heard him already. He's worked with Robert Fripp a few times.

thanks for the advice, i picked up In the Court of the Crimson King and i like it.

I'm a *bit* of a KC fan. The two albums I own are In The Court... and Discipline. I've heard others but these two made the biggest impression.

It real 'Head' music, great for getting stoned to. LOL.

I hear what Ishmael Coffin said and am considering delving a bit deeper!

I'll second Duncan when he suggested you check out Fripp's solo work. That guy is a beastly guitarist without coming off as showy.