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Islands

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Work

Islands was released on 3 December 1971 and is King Crimson's fourth studio album. The line-up consisted of Robert Fripp, Peter Sinfield, Mel Collins, Boz Burrell and Ian Wallace, and stayed together for this one album only. Afterwards Fripp dismissed Sinfield from the band. As on Lizard, the album before it, jazz improvisation plays a part. Sinfield was looking for a softer, more sensual sound, like Miles Davis with vocals.

The Letters builds on an old song by Giles, Giles and Fripp. Ladies of the Road is about groupies, a lyric that Sinfield himself later called one of the most sexist lyrics of all time. Reactions were mixed. AllMusic called it the weakest studio record of the group's first period. Others praised Sailor's Tale as a masterly instrumental piece.

Listening

Listening tip. Listen to Formentera Lady. Notice the calm, flowing build-up, in which the piece slowly changes mood.

Track list

  1. 1Formentera Lady (Elemental Mix)10:16Apple Music ↗
  2. 2Sailor's Tale (Elemental Mix)7:33Apple Music ↗
  3. 3The Letters (Elemental Mix)4:03Apple Music ↗
  4. 4Ladies Of The Road (Elemental Mix)6:38Apple Music ↗
  5. 5Islands (Elemental Mix)9:32Apple Music ↗
  6. 6Prelude Song Of The Gulls (Elemental Mix)5:58Apple Music ↗

30-second previews via Apple Music. Listen to the whole album on Apple Music ↗

Categories: Albums and songs