Islands

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Customer reviews

review by: date: 2008-06-13 rating:
Love it or leave it
I first heard this album when I was in high school during the end of the '70s, and found it pleasant and intriguing but seldom placed it on my turntable. Then I grew accustomed to it along the years, and about a decade later all along the '80s it became my ONLY KC album constantly played. Nowdays about 20 years later, I still play it on a regular basis and enjoy all the "nuances" it can develop, all the reviews stating it as a fantastic album or as an average quality for KC (which anyway means stellar for other bands) or even as a poor and weak album, tell a part of the story, they are all true simultaneously, depending on your mood and inner state of mind. So this is the only recomendation I can make, this is no easy listening stuff, it is an album which is made to survive time and fashions, in a way it is a classic. If you want music made to endure get it, otherwise leave it.

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review by: jnbp date: 2007-11-17 rating:
Chill out prog
Islands isn't exactly the people's favorite King Crimson album, with so many brilliant releases, it's inevitable that some get left behind. Another thing is that, after you've bought this you probably wont listen to this record too often.
However, when you are in the mood, this is a brilliant album, very spacey and slow paced with great flute and sax that really floats along beautifully.
On the heavier tracks, like 'Ladies of the Road,' there is a touch of the Schizoid Man/Pictures of a City style crimson fans have come to expect, however this album is mostly a kind of sprawling open minded cosmic jam.
The difference between the loose sprawling nature of Islands and the loose sprawling jams they play at other times, is that on Islands, they are great and beautiful, not just a mess of noise.
The two best racks are, in my opinion 'Sailors Tale,' (a brilliant building instrumental with a jazzy kick to it) and the title track 'Islands,' which is just plain wonderful.
Islands is a great record, that you deffinatly should buy, even if you don't listen to it every day.

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review by: Nuks date: 2007-06-07 rating:
Hmmmm...
Trouble with King Crimson is that most of their albums have at least one weak track, be it too long, too quiet in parts or just over-indulgent with nothing to get your teeth into. Don't get me wrong, I like King Crimson and put up with the odd poor track (even if it might be 10 mins or more in length) because there's normally a wealth of good stuff there as well. Unfortunately, most if not all of Islands is like the aforementioned weak track. It lacks any real oomph.

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review by: date: 2006-11-07 rating:
Another KC original
It is difficult to know if this or the previous album (Lizard) is the true end of the first incarnation of KC (first incarnation as far as style of music is concerned - not personnel). The soloists on this album (Fripp and Collins) are the same as the previous album but vocals and bass were now handled by Boz Burrell and drums by Ian Wallace.

The music is certainly different and if this is the end of the first incarnation it is a hell of a way to end. Do not expect easy listening but have no doubt that frequent listening, preferably on your own with no distractions, will be very rewarding.

The first track (Formentera Lady) builds brilliantly from quiet beginnings before is segues into 'Sailors Tale' - a truly innovative and top quality instrumental. Two vocal tracks 'Ladies of the Road' and 'The Letter' have original and interesting lyrics which are a million miles away from '21st Century Schizoid Man' and some superb instrumentation to take them home. 'Song of the Gulls' and the tital track are orchestral based and benefit from a number of guest musicians - just sit back and enjoy, fantastic.

Don't hesistate if you like truly original music played by top quality musicians


review by: curbsforengand date: 2004-11-25 rating:
Islands
Used to own this on vinyl but have recently re-puchased in CD format. It is truly timeless. The title track is immense and amongst my favourits of all time. The combination of the melotron and the vocals with mel collins sax are incredible. Sort of rock meets extemperised jazz! I think this album is KC's high point. A must for any serious collector of 70's prog rock!

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