King Crimson
In the Court of the Crimson King: An Observation by King Crimson
Caroline/Virgin
By David Chiu
For better or worse, King Crimson’s debut album In the Court of the Crimson King, released exactly 40 years ago, inaugurated the progressive art rock movement of the ‘70s. It still remains to this day a challenging yet rewarding listen because of its dynamic musicianship and bold musical mix of rock and jazz. Fronted by Robert Fripp’s piercing guitar and Ian MacDonald’s sax and Mellotron, In the Court…’s divergent sounds include the heavy, screaming rock of “21st Century Schizoid Man”; the mellow jazz of “I Talk to the Wind” and “Moonchild”; the haunting Epitaph; and the dramatic finale “The Court of the Crimson King.” The band’s music has certainly evolved stylistically as if not to replicate the uniqueness of the debut. Four decades later In the Court… still remains one of King Crimson’s greatest works, arguably the best.
NewBeats 
I love this album, but like many others, I think “Moonchild” hurts it. It meanders without direction. Some people love for just that reason. As much of a landmark as this album is, I much prefer “In the Wake of Poseidon.”