Larks’ Tongues in Aspic

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

Larks’ Tongues in Aspic · After the end of the Islands tour, Robert Fripp took leave of the other band members and put together an entirely new line-up. The bassist and singer John Wetton, the violinist and keyboardist David Cross, the drummer Bill Bruford and the percussionist Jamie Muir formed, together with him, the fifth King Crimson, which released the album on Island Records in 1973. Fripp now wrote harder music, inspired by Béla Bartók, Igor Stravinsky, Jimi Hendrix and free improvisation.

The violin took the place of the wind instruments, and Muir built around himself a row of found objects, bells, chains and small drums. He left the group shortly after the recording sessions, so this is the only album by this line-up. Easy Money came together bit by bit: Fripp wrote the verses, and Wetton added the chorus later. The instrumental pieces sometimes sound like jazz fusion, sometimes almost like heavy metal. The reception was mixed, but later one writer called it the most important progressive rock record of 1973.

Listening

Track list

1. 1Larks' Tongues In Aspic, Pt. 1 (2023 Elemental Mix)15:14Apple Music ↗
2. 2Easy Money (2023 Elemental Mix)8:04Apple Music ↗
3. 3The Talking Drum (2023 Elemental Mix)8:05Apple Music ↗
4. 4Larks' Tongues In Aspic, Pt. 2 (2023 Elemental Mix)7:56Apple Music ↗

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