King Crimson - Larks' Tongues In Aspic (LP, 2023 Reissue)
- LP
- 1 piece(s)
- 1973
- 8 tracks
- 1 uur, 7 min
- progressive rock
Larks' Tongues In AspicCheapest atmusicmagpie.co.uk
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4.5
Average of 46 reviews
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Purchased brand spankin' new, still in its shrink wrap, from Amazon for approximately 40 bucks CAD. My copy is perfectly flat and centered. The sound separation is phenomenal, with excellent resolution and powerful dynamics. SW has absolutely crushed this mix, just like they've done with my other King Crimson records. It's an easy decision, just like the rest of my KC albums. There's a bit of surface noise, but it's not too bothersome. Truly fantastic... 4.85 / 5
Based on what I've heard, this album presents a "choose your challenge" scenario on CD, particularly for the original 1973 mix, as each release on this format has its own set of problems: noise reduction and "smiley" equalization on the Definitive Edition, compression and limiting on the 30th anniversary CD, and in this case, an "enhanced" high end. Despite its flaws, I find this edition incredibly enjoyable: it's sharp, gritty when it needs to be, and astonishingly full, detailed, and dynamic, which is surprising given Robert Fripp's statement that it (like the other King Crimson CDs from the Jem era) was sourced from a cutting tape several generations removed from the master. Kudos to the low end on this one: the bass is remarkably deep, and it not only showcases John Wetton's prowess with a four-string, but also makes the rumble that concludes the album even more powerful. A prime example debunking the notion that you can't have both bass and dynamics simultaneously. Of course, its full utilization of the dynamic range means it requires listening in a controlled environment -- you'll miss a lot if you're listening to this, say, through earbuds on a train. Musically, this is also outstanding work. In the Court of the Crimson King, despite being a home run of a debut album, was quite a fluke in retrospect, evident in the significant growing pains Robert Fripp experienced on the next three albums (a decent retread of Court followed by two peculiar and diametrically opposite attempts at jazz fusion). Here, however, King Crimson finally discovers its identity, such that everything that came after 1973 owes more to this album than to the band's monumental 1969 opus. Merging heavy metal with European free jazz and Russo-Hungarian modernist classical music, the result is something that still stands strong over half a century later. The whole thing sounds, to its benefit, like it was recorded during a collective trance, and it lingers with you long after your first encounter. By far the band's most essential album.
This British debut release boasts an incredibly warm, potent, and lively sound that's packed with detail. The bass on this album is so captivating, it might just inspire you to pick up the bass guitar, even if you already play one! The dynamics and soundstage are incredibly immersive, drawing you into the music. The record was mastered by a highly skilled individual who dedicated countless years to their craft, even managing to salvage parts of the notoriously distorted original mastertape. Due to the album's astonishing dynamics, it's wise to invest a bit more and secure a copy as close to mint condition as possible. It's pricey, but you'll understand why once you hear it.
King Crimson has truly outdone themselves with this one. It's packed with a mix of delicate and intense moments, featuring a violin that's straight out of a classical masterpiece, some signature Frippy guitar work, and Bruford's drumming is simply phenomenal. The execution is top-notch, and the sound quality is impressive. This reissue is a treat – the vinyl is pristine and noise-free, the cover art is stunning, and the audio is decent. The dynamics might be a tad compressed, and there's some tape hiss, especially on side B. An original pressing would be the dream, but it'd need to be in VG+ condition to avoid any crackles during the softer parts. Otherwise, snag this reissue and you're good to go. 4 stars, highly recommended.
Never having heard the original, I can confidently say this is one of the finest sounding records I've ever experienced. The vinyl is incredibly quiet yet incredibly dynamic. The way Bruford's drumming comes through is absolutely mind-blowing.
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