Ranking The King Crimson Studio Albums

Scot takes you through all 13 studio albums from the inventors of Prog Rock, King Crimson!!!
0:00 Introduction
0:10 King Crimson
0:39 Beat (1982)
1:08 The Reconstruction of Light (2000)
1:37 Three Of A Perfect Pair (1984)
2:13 The Power To Believe (2003)
2:42 Islands (1971)
3:28 Thrak (1995)
4:35 In The Wake Of Poseidon (1970)
4:57 Discipline (1981)
5:53 Lizard (1970)
6:39 Starless And Bible Black (1974)
7:30 In The Court Of The Crimson King (1969)
8:14 Red (1974)
#kingcrimson #progrock #progressiverock #prog

[@marcbergeron8690]

Through the years Lizard has become my fav KC album. Prog at the time of the prog.

[@TheProgCorner]

It's so good.

[@Mikino1976]

Same here

[@The-Metal-Cooler]

The criticisms of that album are merely a product of the echo chamber in the community

[@TheProgCorner]

And Fripp’s longstanding distaste for it did not help. I’m glad he re-evaluated it!!! Many Prog fans should do likewise. It’s AWESOME!!!

[@The-Metal-Cooler]

@@TheProgCorner I remember he always spoke fondly of the Bolero segment, would love to see his updated take on the album I know Lizard and Islands were essentially Robert Fripp solo albums as he was the only creative force in the band during that time

[@richardwadholm4019]

Lizard will always be my favorite King Crimson album. Taught me to love Miles Davis and Arnold Schoenberg and atonality. And to appreciate art that is most vivid when glimpsed out the corner of my eye.

[@TheProgCorner]

Nice way to look at it!!!

[@Flegetanis]

My first two full-on prog albums were Lizard and "The Power & The Glory" by Gentle Giant. And then came "Nursery Cryme" & I was gone. Irreparably damaged.

[@TheProgCorner]

Awesome!!!!!

[@rporta]

I love Islands, it's their most relaxing and has amazing vocals/bass by Boz, imo their 5th best

[@TheProgCorner]

Man, I hated it at first. The years have been VERY kind to Islands!!

[@rporta]

@@TheProgCorner surprisingly I liked it on my first listen 👌🏼🤣 but yeah I know what you mean

[@TheProgCorner]

It was so different than the others!!

[@harryberry474]

Funny, Islands is my favorite. It's best listened to in a dark room I imagine being in some sort of spacecraft passing thru the universe at least while listening to Formentera Lady and Sailors Tale. Then there's Ladies Of The Road which reminds me of The Beatles. IMO the whole album is great and so happy to hear many of the songs from this album recorded Live...finally

[@TheProgCorner]

It has grown on me over the years!!!

[@Blogspierre]

Agreed.

[@josedealbuquerquejr.941]

Islands is the hidden gem of Crimson’s discography, very overlooked, but incredibly beautiful. My 2 favorites are In The Court and Islands

[@TheProgCorner]

Islands took years for me to appreciate!!!

[@harryberry474]

@@TheProgCorner ...I know it's not a studio album BUT OMG their LIVE triple album "Meltdown: Live In Mexico" is my #1 King Crimson recording, hopeful you have it or at least have heard it. It came out in 2018 and the recording and sound quality is the best Live recording of Crimson I've ever heard and should be a "must have " for anyone that likes King Crimson

[@marcelob4132]

I have all of KC's studio albums and totally agree with your first 6-7 selections, but will include Beat on my top 10

[@TheProgCorner]

I know a lot of people who love Beat. It just feels like Discipline’s little brother!!!

[@DRichardson00]

I go back and forth on the Debut and Red for which one is my favorite, Ive been going back to some of the early stuff (Lizard and In the Wake of Poseidon) and I have to say those are some great records that are over shadowed by the big ones but I have gained a new appreciation for the early catalogue

[@TheProgCorner]

Those early KC albums hold up so well over the decades!!!

[@Signal451]

Loving your content, I'm 15 and I love Prog Rock, so it's good to see you making content on it!

[@TheProgCorner]

Thank you for being awesome!!!! Prog Rock will never die!!!

[@quentinmichel7581]

I saw them doing the THRAK Tour. Great show.

[@TheProgCorner]

Amazing!!!

[@cloudstrife8833]

Thanks to you i discovered what an amzing album is larks tongues in aspic, what a masterpiece

[@TheProgCorner]

It really is!!!! It still terrifies me!!!!

[@bumpdunlop]

I listened to Larks Tongues in Aspic last night. Finally a good quality listen to side one. It shot up my rankings. Awesome first side.

[@TheProgCorner]

And Side Two is pretty amazing also!!!

[@antoniogalianojerez9942]

To me, red is the best, but thanks for your ranking, that shows a good knowledge of the group discography. Larks and in the court in my podium also. In almost every other record of the first period there is at least one incredible song: in the wake from in the wake, island in island, the night watch in starless &bible black...

[@Poseiden2]

A fine selection in the top spots, sir! That's kind of where I rank the best, and many others too. It's a great trio of albums - the debut for the symphonic & sometimes shocking grandeur, Red for the brutal crunch that helped launch alternative rock, and Larks for being totally off-the-wall: like the first album on speed! And as you say, the kind of album no-one likes initially, and remains unique, scary and unhinged after countless spins. What a band!

[@TheProgCorner]

Indeed they were. Long live KC!!! ❤️

[@jessicafrank1716]

Best channel on KZbin!!!

[@johnpresnell]

My introduction to them came through Beat, which I love, but lists like these help me navigate their catalog. I now own the debut and Discipline, and will take a cue from you for what to buy next - thanks! ♥️🙏🏻♥️ Btw, I see you have a video on XTC, another amazing band; I’ll definitely see it. As I own all their albums it’ll be interesting to see how our tastes compare.

[@TheProgCorner]

Yeah, definitely let me know where we disagree!!! XTC mean a lot to me. After the Golden Era of Prog was over I felt lost. I liked some punk but I needed something more substantial. Enter XTC!!! 💕

[@TrentsTailgate875]

My ranking 1: Red 2: In the Court of the Crimson King 3: Larks Tongues in Aspic 4: Three of a Perfect Pair 5: Discipline 6: Starless and Bible Black 7: The Power to Believe 8: Pictures of A City 9: Islands 10: Lizard 11: Beat 12: Thrak 13: The Construkction of Light (haven't listened to it yet)

[@TheProgCorner]

Outstanding!!!!

[@willyupshaw]

Damn right. I'm also a big Three of a Perfect Pair fan, the best of the 80s.

[@zsatsfm]

Great list Scot. Back in the day, I was a Bowie fan and when I heard 'It's No Game', I thought WOW!, who is THAT playing the guitar!? Which led me to a life long love of King Crimson. The first album of theirs I got was Lark's Tongues In Aspic - (I loved the weird title), and like you it scared me, but it's still a favourite, along with Red and their supreme debut album. I was like you with 'Islands', took a few listens over the years to fully appreciate its melodies. And 'Discipline' is another great record. Tough to rank them, but you did a mighty fine job sir.

[@TheProgCorner]

Thanks, Edmund. Yeah, I love Bowie. Fripp, Eno, Belew, SRV… He knew talent when he heard it. Yeah, KC is a tough band to rank with each era being its own thing…

[@zsatsfm]

@@TheProgCorner I'm sure you've got endless ideas of your own for videos Scot, but it would be great to hear your list of top 15 Crimson songs. (top 10 probably doesn't leave much room for surprise picks). Keep up the good work sir.

[@TheProgCorner]

I like that idea. I haven’t ranked any songs yet!!! I’m always looking for episode ideas. I’ve got a notebook filled with crazy concepts that will probably never happen!!!

[@fabriziocollu5540]

Ciao Grande Scott...Sei un Fantastico come ci parli di questa musica immaginifica che è il Progressive...Due giorni fa' ho visto un concerto in cui assieme ad Alex Carpani, Notevolissimo Musicista Italiano, hanno suonato assieme David Cross, David Jackson e Theo Travis.... Meraviglioso.

[@TheProgCorner]

❤️❤️❤️

[@barrypeirson3710]

You the man Scot. I've ways liked what I had heard from KC but now I'm giving a serious listen. I'm digging "larks tounge in aspic" despite the fact that the title has a pretty nasty connotation. Lol Really digging it so far.

[@TheProgCorner]

Awesome!!! I am (obviously) a big fan!!!

[@Flegetanis]

I'm still trying to acclimate to Islands. Starless & Bible Black is the album I didn't appreciate enough at first listening. Lizard was my first King Crimson album and, as "difficult" as it may be, I'm glad to see it much higher on your list than any other I've seen so far.

[@TheProgCorner]

I love it. So great!!!!

[@patricklewis9787]

Out of the 3 biggest camps for favorite KC albums (In the Court, Larks Tongue and Red) I'd agree that lark is probably my favorite too. Maybe even my all-time favorite prog album

[@TheProgCorner]

It’s definitely on my Top Ten!!!

[@markharwood7573]

Engaging stuff by an enthusiast. Nice one. Lizard. USA. Islands. Starless, the track. That'll do for me, thank you.

[@jeniferallan6693]

Interesting to see you and hear you in a calm quiet way. 😮😊

[@TheProgCorner]

I had no idea what I was doing. So bad!!!! I look frightened. Unwatchable!!! 🥵😳🥶

[@jeniferallan6693]

@@TheProgCorner no! It was alright 👍 📫

[@TheProgCorner]

I can’t watch those old videos!!!

[@bertbecker7532]

Glad you ranked SaBB so high, it is a great album but often overlooked coming between Lark’s and Red.

[@TheProgCorner]

It never gets its due!!!

[@StonefieldJim4]

I love Beat and am very surprised to see it below Three of a Perfect Pair!

[@TheProgCorner]

Beat never did it for me but Bruford liked it better than Disciple!!!

[@MoviesNStuff]

A rare video of Scot being low energy! What a shame! (Great video btw, Red is my favorite, but of course, theyre all fantastic!)

[@TheProgCorner]

That was the third video I ever shot for the channel. Man, I was TERRIBLE at KZbin. I figured it out by the 10th video or so!!! I look scared.

[@pedrokropotkin9045]

My KC top 10: 10) Beat 9) Thrak 8) Lizard 7) Discipline 6) In the Wake of Poseidon 5) Islands 4) Starless and Bible Black 3) Larks' Tongues in Aspic 2) In the Court of the Crimson King 1) Red note: - 1) & 2) in top-10 albums of all time - 3), 4) & 5) in top-50 albums of all time

[@TheProgCorner]

I too have five KC albums in my all time Top 50.

[@bumpdunlop]

My complements on your channel! Great stuff. I have all of Crimson's records up through Red. My favorites are #1 In the Court of the Crimson King, #2 Islands (my first King Crimson, that I know like the back of my hand), and #3 Red. The others I am just not familiar enough with to rank. I'm going to put Lark's Tongues in Aspic on in a few. When King Crimson was playing with Adrian Belew, they spent some time living in Champaign, il, rehearsing and writing. Two of my friends, Della, and Debbie became good friends with Adrian, and I believe they still keep in touch today. Debbie is Matt Stewart's (Starcastle) sister. Here's the cool part....I had a couple of flight cases for sale. They were big touring cases and they could hold an entire drum set. I put an add in the local newspaper classifieds. Who answers the add and comes to my house to buy one? BILL BRUFORD!!!! What a nice day.

[@TheProgCorner]

I did not know about Debbie!!! And great Bruford story.

[@simpleman5688]

Wow! So cool 😎

[@vorhangauf...]

You did a fine ranking! - But what is this (RE?)construKction of light? - I know the album in a black cover with a kind of a light picture in the middle. Is this a vinyl version? Anyway, there are still the same songs on it. - When I was 20, I discovered this band with "Islands". A very unusual album for the first time to listen to King Crimson, but I felt in love immediatly. My second one was "Red". So after a few month, I knew all the 70s stuff of them. Their music blown me away. My secretly favourite KC is "Lizard". But I love them all. Even their later works. I saw them a few times on stage! - Wonderful!

[@TheProgCorner]

The (re)Construkction Of Light was a 2019 reworking of the album as Fripp was not happy with the sound of the album. I’m with you about Lizard. What a great album!!!

[@electricbrainelectricshado9490]

Great point about if your best album is Beat then you're doing fine. When I read the booklet for the On (and Off) the Road box I remember being struck by how hard Fripp had to work to push everyone into a unified style, at the expense of Bruford & Belew having what seemed to be a miserable time making Discipline. You can hear some of that proverbial "discipline" starting to unravel on Beat. I do have to admit that I listen to Beat & Perfect Pair much less often than I listen to Absent Lovers; the live versions have a spark and intensity that gets sucked out by the production. Nice to see Lizard ranking so highly. I love that album and I hear it get slagged a lot, especially by people who aren't hardcore prog fans.

[@cuahutemoctorres3691]

My top personal favorites: Red Thrak In the court.. Lizard Islands Starless and bible black Discipline In the wake of poseidon

[@TheProgCorner]

Except for Larks, we’re pretty similar!!!

[@stukevideo]

You know what's a great KC tune from the early years, is the live version of "Lark's Tongues" on the USA album. It kicks butt!

[@TheProgCorner]

USA was a cool little record…

[@cmichaelanthonyimages2197]

I think you nailed it. Gteat job.

[@TheProgCorner]

Thank you!!! 💕

[@andreichivu7653]

Great ranking...very similar to mine..thanks..

[@TheProgCorner]

Thank you!!!!

[@jonathanmurrell5801]

Great list , absolutely agree with number 1. Discipline for me is a bit higher but only because the first gig I ever went to was at the Venue London and tour for this album (the band were still calling themselves discipline😊.

[@TheProgCorner]

Sweet!!!! I never got to see Belew front the band. Just amazing what they did.

[@neuroisis85]

1. Larks Tongues in Aspic 2. Red 3. In the Court of the Crimson King 4. Discipline 5. Power to Believe 6. Three of A Perfect Pair 7. Starless and Bible Black 8. Islands 9. Construkction of Light 10. Beat 11. Lizard 12. Thrak 13. In the Wake of Poseidon

[@TheProgCorner]

Well done!!!

[@stukevideo]

Good job!

[@TheProgCorner]

Thank you!!! 👍❤️❤️

[@antoniodias4718]

Excellent ranking. I agree, not completely but still it's ok!!!

[@edgeofnow]

I think I nearly agree with almost all your picks….the top 8 for sure.

[@wizardofoz6811]

Great ranking. One of my top bands of all times. My top: 1. Red 2. Lizard 3. Starless... 4. In the court of the crimson king 5. Three of a perfect pair 6. Lark's tongue... 7. Discipline 8. thrak 9. Islands 10 in the wake.. 11 the power to believe 12 The construktion of light 13. Beat

[@TheProgCorner]

LIZARD!!! Glad you have that so high!!!

[@wizardofoz6811]

@@TheProgCorner yes, love it !!

[@GlenKellawayfromthebasement]

Man, I hope they aren’t done..I am in Canada and they didn’t make it here on this tour..Was hoping to see them one more time..I did the Celebration VIP ticket for the 2019 tour and it was the best concert experience of my life..Islands is my second favourite..Court at 3 !!! My number one..A masterpiece…Larks Tongue is amazing..Hard to argue with you..Great ranking..really enjoyed this one❤👍glen

[@TheProgCorner]

Caught them in Cleveland a few years ago and it was a religious experience!!!

[@GlenKellawayfromthebasement]

@@TheProgCorner when I did the celebration thing..we were taken to the front of the stage before the show..David Singleton came out and talked to us, then Jakko Jaksyck came out and then Robert Fripp spoke to us for about 20 minutes..We got autographed programs and a whole bunch of goodies..It was so cool..

[@mjcussen7458]

North and South Americans are dead lucky. They've NEVER been to Australia where there is now a huge fan base. I had to fly to Santiago to see them live. They promised to come to Australia, at that concert. Covid...... say no more.

[@TheProgCorner]

Aussies definitely get the short end of the stick. 🇦🇺

[@Austin-31557]

1. Red 2. Larks’ Tongues In Aspic 3. In The Court Of The Crimson King 4. Starless & Bible Black 5. Lizard 6. Discipline 7. Islands 8. In The Wake Of Poseidon 9. Three of a Perfect Pair 10. THRAK 11. The Construction of Light 12. The Power To Believe 13. Beat

[@TheProgCorner]

Nicely done!!!

[@JS-to2ve]

Great list and no complaints about your choices. I've seen them live twice - the first time in Amsterdam for the concert which would make up the bulk of Starless and Bible Black. I was expecting the band that did Earthbound and got...magic instead. It was a little like having your brain removed, rotated 90 degrees and replaced! Amazing gig.

[@TheProgCorner]

Wow!!!! I bet you were forever changed!!!

[@JS-to2ve]

@@TheProgCorner Absolutely. Every version of Fracture still gives me the chills.

[@shame69]

Good to see some Lizard love. You have the magic ears, amigo.

[@TheProgCorner]

Lizard is amazing!!! And Jon Anderson too!!!

[@shame69]

@@TheProgCorner I've been binge-ing out on your vids and you've turned a dull day into a brilliant one. Truly, you are the Progessor! A bona fide Progessional.

[@TheProgCorner]

The Progressor!!! I love it!!! ❤️❤️❤️

[@artgeo35]

Wow, man, I agree, especially with no.1 and no. 2 👍👍👍

[@TheProgCorner]

Thank you!!!

[@Z-eb]

good to see some norwegian prog in the background, check out Wobbler`s last three albums !

[@TheProgCorner]

I adore Wobbler. And you’re right, even though the first two were cool records, the last three have been AMAZING!!! I consider From Silence To Somewhere to be one of the best albums of the Modern Era. Perhaps my favorite album of the last 10 years.

[@grahamallen9393]

hi Scott - great listing - cant disagree with larks at no 1 , I was just listening to Larks TONGUES PART 2 LIVE , with that window rattling bass that Fripp called The flying Brickwall ! Brilliant . Best Graham

[@TheProgCorner]

You are obviously a man of impeccable taste!!!

[@Jay_Tee2023]

MY Ranking: 13. The Construkction of Light 12. The Power to Believe 11. Thrak 10. Three of a Perfect Pair 9. Beat 8. Lizard 7. In the Wake of Poseiden 6. Islands 5. Discipline 4. Starless & Bible Black 3. Larks Tongues in Aspic 2.. Red 1.. In the Court of the Crimson King

[@TheProgCorner]

Very nice!!!

[@arbc5594]

Great top!

[@TheProgCorner]

I love King Crimson!!!!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️👍👍👍👍

[@M.Robespierre3691]

Most King Crimson fans rank Red at nr. 1, but I find Larks´ Tongues in Aspic a much better album. The 3 instrumentals on that album are amazing, especially pt.1., which is very experimental but nonetheless captivating. My favorite KC song!

[@TheProgCorner]

❤️❤️❤️👍👍👍🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧

[@larkstonguesinaspic4814]

My personal ranking would be: 13. Beat 12. Construction of the light 11. Three of a perfect pair 10. Islands 9. In the wake of the Poseidon 8. Lizard 7. The Power To Believe 6. Thrak 5. Starless And Bible Black 4. Discipline 3. Red 2. Larks Tounges In Aspic 1. In The Court Of The Crimson King 👑

[@TheProgCorner]

Excellent list, my KC loving friend!!!

[@gcustis]

I saw the Lark Tongue tour at the Santa Monica Civic in October 73. I walked in one person and walked out another, changed me fundamentally. I have 3 KC album covers tattooed on me. I love everything they have done, but Larks Tongues in Aspic will always be the greatest.

[@TheProgCorner]

I love King Crimson!!!! I did not get to see them in the seventies. A real shame!!!

[@NESProgNerd1970]

King Crimson was the first prog rock band I ever got into and I have never forgotten them for influencing how I hear music to this day 1. Red 1974, 2. In The Court Of The Crimson King 1969, 3. Starless And Bible Black 1974, 4. In The Wake Of Poseidon 1970, 5. The ConstruKction Of Light 2000, 6. Larks’ Tongues In Aspic 1973, 7. Three Of A Perfect Pair 1984, 8. The Power To Believe 2003, 9. Beat 1982, 10. Lizard 1970, 11. Discipline 1981, 12. Thrak 1995, 13. Islands 1971, my personal ranking

[@TheProgCorner]

Hard to argue with Red!!!

[@atlasking6110]

Poor BEAT. Such a cool little album and it never gets any love.

[@TheProgCorner]

Bruford thought it was better than Discipline!!! (He was wrong…)

[@toddhill7483]

1 Lark's Tongues in Aspic 2 In the Court of the Crimson King 3 In the Wake of Poseidon 4 Red 5 Starless and Bible Black 6 Discipline 7 Three of a Perfect Pair 8 Beat

[@TheProgCorner]

Larks’ Tongues In Aspic!!! Yes!!!

[@alanboas810]

I started off my day this morning with Beat. It impressed me quite a bit Scot. After I finished breakfast and Beat, I decided to check out what your opinion of it was. Right away I learned that it was ranked at the bottom of all the studio albums. But then, you gave it a big reclamation by saying that if you're a band, and your worst album is Beat, you're in pretty good shape. 🦓

[@TheProgCorner]

It probably wouldn’t be at the bottom today!!! A couple spots higher, I think…

[@alanboas810]

@@TheProgCorner 🐐

[@the.bloodless.one1312]

Larks’ Tongues In Aspic at #1 is the correct answer 😝. Larks’ Tongues In Aspic Part 2 is my favourite King Crimson piece of all time, so fucking dark and heavy, step aside Black Sabbath… hah. Wetton’s fierce bass playing, Jamie Muir’s fuckin’ demonic Zappa/Varèse-esque percussions… god damn! Blows my mind to this day that the album is ‘73. So ahead of it’s time, it’s scary. Lizard would probably be my #2, followed by Starless and Bible Black, I think. 🧐

[@TheProgCorner]

Fantastic records. Larks' Tongues has always held a very special place in my heart...

[@fractuss]

I'm with you on Lark's Tongues.

[@TheProgCorner]

Yes!!!

[@JohnFiocchi]

The first 4 King Crimson albums i liked a lot. I also had A Young Person's Guide To King Crimson on Island label. A strange compilation that did not include material from Lizard. As a young teenager i was obsessed with King Crimson. After buying Islands I was under the impression they had disbanded until one day i ran across an article which discussed the band recording Larks Tongues In Aspic. I became really obsessed with trying to figure out what the second King Crimson album would have sounded like if McDonald and Giles had not left. "Trees" was performed live when K.C. toured in 69'. It was included later on the "Birdman suite". Several songs on the McDonald and Giles album were written when King Crimson were on tour...as if to adapt the idea that during that time they were written for the next King Crimson album. Which instead turned out to be In The Wake Of Poseidon. I remember reading something a long time ago about Greg Lake writing Lucky Man when he was a member of King Crimson. I used to experiment and edit tracks from Poseidon and McDonald and Giles.. I used to wonder what songs would make it on to the album. I would mix up the track listings ..and visualize a double album that included the Birdman SUITE and Devils Triangle...How would the two sound as one album. I recorded them onto blank cassette trying to get used to it. Years later i recorded it on to CDR. Thats why the music on McDonald and Giles is telling. If you listen to the tracks on both albums in a flowing order it does in fact come across like a different type of King Crimson album. I gave up on being curious because obviously it wasnt meant to be...but its still interesting sometimes to play Poseidon and M & G back to back or as a combination...thats the closest you'll ever get to experiencing what the band would have sounded like if McDonald, Giles, and Lake had stayed..😮

[@TheProgCorner]

You are 100% right about that M&G album!!! I love that era. Those albums just had a spirit to them.

[@markmcmillan8676]

I agree with your order, especially with your top 5 being interchangeable. I may have swapped order on ITWOP and Discipline based on Keith Tippett’s amazing piano work on ‘Cat Food’ and Gordon Haskell’s vocals on ‘Cadence and Cascade’. (with Mel Collins’ outstanding flute passages). I’ve seen King Crimson many times including three times in 73/74 and their most recent lineup 4 times in 2017-2021. What a great musical ride it’s been.

[@TheProgCorner]

I hope it's not over but it kinda looks that way!!!

[@markmcmillan8676]

@@TheProgCorner they’ve always been a musician’s band. Over the years Robert Fripp assembled quite a talented group of players (although BBC Old Grey Whistle Test presenter Annie Nightingale claimed the first lineup was Ian McDonald’s band ). All of those bands were special. Loved the Wetton/ Cross/ Bruford version of the band.

[@andlidearmadta9680]

i dont usually like youtube personalities, but this guys cool

[@markdarnell614]

Just curious about one of the records that's behind you - the one between Olias of Sunhillow, and Transatlantic ...who is that? - What a FKN Cool Cover!

[@TheProgCorner]

That’s Motorpsycho “The All Is One.” An absolute masterpiece!!!

[@AlmostEthical]

Aside from Red, which is probably the most consistently good-sounding album to my ear, I find their best albums tend to be the first one with a new lineup ITCOTCK, Lizard, LTIA, Discipline and Thrak. A band like Crimson thrived on novelty and new challenges. Big soft spots for Wake of Poseidon and TPTB.

[@TheProgCorner]

I wish they would have done one album with the final, three drummer lineup...

[@AlmostEthical]

Agree. Jakko's my favourite KC vocalist, up there with Greg L on ITCOTCK. He's great with Fission Trip, with Adrian, Mel and Ian Wallace.

[@kevinogracia1615]

I was lucky to see Adrian Belew with Zappa AND King Crimson. Peace on earth.

[@TheProgCorner]

Wow!!!

[@MusicsWhore]

I enjoy your rankings I just finished Larks Tounge In Aspic last month. I am enjoying the journey of the mighty King Crimson. However call me wierd but so far Islands is my favourite record by them. Take the Title track off of Larks and then that would be my favourite.

[@TheProgCorner]

Islands took me a while to appreciate. But I love it!!!

[@51monalisa]

i can agree with your list especially the first 5.king crimson is my number on progband watched it just now ,alittle bit late . but scott is this you or your quiter twin brother .🤭🤭

[@TheProgCorner]

Weird, right? I was terrified.

[@jussitarponen1919]

I like your list, but I would rate nice Island much higher than cacophonic Starless and Bible Black which I hate.

[@fourseasons4105]

1. Lark's tongues in aspic 2. Red 3. In the court of the crimson king 4. Starless and bible black 5. Lizard 6. Thrak 7. Islands 8. In the wake of Poseidon 9. Discipline 10. Beat 11. The power to believe 12. Three of a perfect pair 13. The construkction of light

[@TheProgCorner]

Nice!!! Great minds think alike!!!

[@thomasrudy6132]

i zimbra by the talking heads was the genesis of discipline, beat and three of a perfect pair

[@TheProgCorner]

Brian Eno is a genius. My favorite Talking Heads album is Fear Of Music!!!

[@christophermoebs5514]

I always liked Islands it came out my senior year in HS and I still liste3n to it occasionally. I play Song of the Gulls on my harmonica lol

[@TheProgCorner]

Islands gets better and better with age!!! Like me!!!

[@grantross2609]

0:24 to 0:34 is all you need here tho !

[@Rhubba]

That guy in the glasses with the curly hair who sits on a stool to play guitar? That's the most terrifying man in rock music.

[@TheProgCorner]

Ask Bill Bruford. He would agree with that statement!!!!

[@reginod2249]

Yep no bad albums. Tough to rank them.

[@TheProgCorner]

Indeed!!!

[@jordanpeacock8774]

Your top 4 is identical to my top 4. My #5 is Discipline, and Lizard is #7 (Thrak is #6).

[@TheProgCorner]

Sweet!!!!

[@CastleMiser]

Goddamn I always thought king crimson only had a discography ranging from ITCOTCK to discipline. Never heard of these before

[@TheProgCorner]

Late era Crimson was vastly ignored.

[@trippknotic]

Anekdoten is a great band. Hopefully they will create some new music soon.

[@TheProgCorner]

Fingers crossed!!!

[@Mikino1976]

Funny but this is close to mine. I’d put Lizard a little higher - I think it’s an insane masterpiece. Discipline also a little higher too. I’d put Islands lower. Maybe someday I’ll see the light!

[@TheProgCorner]

It took me YEARS to appreciate Islands!!!

[@TrivellaORama]

8:30 Mine too 😀

[@bradschwamberger1217]

I agree with most of your picks. Island would have been moved down a couple of steps.

[@TheProgCorner]

That’s a tricky one. I used to HATE it. But over the years it’s grown on me significantly…

[@bradschwamberger1217]

@@TheProgCorner Indeed that is King Crimson at its best. Many years ago I would have placed Red lower. But with time it not only grew on my taste, I came to realize what a work it was. So as we both mature, my guess is some of these albums most likely will move up or down.

[@TheProgCorner]

Absolutely. That’s how it is with the great bands!!!👍👍👍

[@nikolajkrarup-os9gn]

I allmost agree with your top 3.except.i put red as 3.starless and Bible black 2 and larks tongues in aspic as number 1.

[@TheProgCorner]

Great minds think alike!!!!

[@BobHutton]

Very similar to my ranking. I'd nudge Thrak up a notch or two though.

[@TheProgCorner]

I’ve been listening to THRAK quite a bit lately and I would rank it a little higher now too!!!

[@aaaaa111aaaaa]

Who the hell designed the us Island cover

[@TheProgCorner]

Peter Sinfield!!!

[@josedealbuquerquejr.941]

Imho Islands is the hidden gem of Crimson’s discography, it’s really overlooked and underrated, maybe because was launched in a very delicate and unstable moment of their career, maybe because is too melancholic, but is so melodic, so beautiful. For me the best albums of KC are the below ones: 1 - In the Court 2- Islands 3- Red 4- Lizard 5- Lark Tongues in Aspic 6- In The Wake of Poseidon From the classic era, I never really enjoyed Starless and Bible Black, too noisy, over experimental, overrated From 1980 I really don’t think it’s KC anymore, they lost the progressive rock torch, it’s still very good, but for me is a completely different sound, it’s like hearing another band

[@TheProgCorner]

It’s definitely a whole different thing!!!

[@josedealbuquerquejr.941]

@@TheProgCorner indeed, I love those albums too, specially Thrak and Power to Believe, they’re awesome

[@pinkyfloydyfan1]

So for me, i always thaught that a group make no more than 5 best albums... KING CRIMSON: 1. In the court... 2. Red 3. Discipline 4. Lark's... 5. Starless...

[@TheProgCorner]

Solid Top 5!!!

[@stuartraybould6433]

The Power to Believe should be higher, Lizard is my favourite closely followed by Larks Tongues then Starless and Bible Black. I've got all the box sets, these albums in 5.1 are something else. Favourite band of all time, closely followed by Frank Zappa.

[@TheProgCorner]

I am so happy that most of my viewers are Lizard fans!!! Such a great record!!!

[@malegrissusran8847]

I think it has no meaning to compare the first seven albums with the later ! The Times have changed ! King Crimson is no Group - maybe a concept of only Robert Fripp Times have changed 1974 and 1981 !! The music and EVERYBODY has changed in this time

[@stuartraybould6433]

@@malegrissusran8847 as it did from the very first. Second album as Lake but only as a guest, Third as completely new line up except Collins from second, same with Fourth. Then completely new line up again for Fifth, six as one less, Seventh one less again although Cross is a guest plus Collins and Ian return as guests. Then 80s another new line up but Bruford is still there so half the band from 73-74 still there. So, I don't see your point I'm afraid. Only first album as original line up, same can be said for a lot of bands.

[@user-ws2fu7du7o]

Mam absolutnie wszystko z The Reconstuction of Light( The Construction of Light nie ma na winylu).

[@maxwelltalley612]

THRAK is soooooooo good. Glad to see it crack your top 10, I think that’s top 5 for me, really underappreciated.

[@TheProgCorner]

Definitely their best since Discipline!!! I love it!!! But I’ve always loved Belew…

[@maxwelltalley612]

@@TheProgCorner IIIIIIIIII’M A DINOSAAAAUUUR

[@TheProgCorner]

❤️❤️❤️

[@josepmariaromeu2005]

I'd rate Islands much higher, but I like your list.

[@TheProgCorner]

I hated Islands for years but have learned to really love it. It’s not an “easy” listen.

[@josepmariaromeu2005]

@@TheProgCorner don't you think that Lizard is even more difficult?

[@TheProgCorner]

It is but I liked that one right away. Probably the Jon Anderson effect…

[@Jay_Tee2023]

I live in US & never saw that "US cover" LOL

[@Blogspierre]

I feel like Red is the most straightforward, and least experimental thing, by far. The hook on the title track is just incessant. It sits @ #9 or 10 for me.

[@TheProgCorner]

Wow!! I don't think I've ever heard that opinion before. Very interesting.

[@totovassallo7255]

Island the best n1

[@jelk1188]

Your top six is as impregnable as a castle built on the top of Mt. Everest!

[@TheProgCorner]

Nice!!!!! I think so too.

[@ForumSide]

1. LARKS 10/10 2. RED 10/10 3. DISCIPLINE 10/10 4. ISLANDS 9.5/10 5. STARLESS AND BIBLE BLACK 9.5/10 6. IN THE COURT 9/10 7. THRAK 8.5/10 8. IN THE WAKE OF POSEIDON 8.5/10 9. THREE OF A PERFECT PAIR 8/10 10. LIZARD 8/10 11. THE CONSTRUKTION OF LIGHT 7.5/10 12. BEAT 7/10

[@TheProgCorner]

👍👍👍

[@FeloniusMonkInGSharp]

Eno-Fripp!

[@TheProgCorner]

No Pussyfooting, baby. I remember freaking out when I bought that album: “What the hell is this?”

[@FeloniusMonkInGSharp]

I'll see your Eno-Fripp and raise you an Eno-Byrne...lol

[@TheProgCorner]

Now we’re talking!!! By the time I got that I was already into Talking Heads so yeah, that’s a special record!!!

[@simpleman5688]

Nobody ever mentions “Moonchild”. We know why…

[@TheProgCorner]

Exactly!!!

[@pinkyfloydyfan1]

Discipline must be higher!

[@TheProgCorner]

Yeah, you’re probably right but it kinda changes daily for me with KC. Each era is so distinct!!!

[@TheGenreman]

This video is weird, a laid back Scott

[@TheProgCorner]

A really old one. One of my first. Horrible!!!

[@sharktroubles]

Most people rank BEAT way too low. Bill Bruford thought it was better than DISCIPLINE and I agree.

[@TheProgCorner]

He did and it caused quite a bit of friction within the band. I agree with Fripp here...

[@andrewpayton-smith9542]

today i agree,tomorrow maybe not....who cares? they are a great selection though are` nt they.

[@TheProgCorner]

Such an amazing band!!!

[@jussitarponen1919]

Crimson albums are hard to put in order cos the style was very different between years. But all the Crimson albums are listanable except that Starless and Bible Black, which is about shit.

[@TheProgCorner]

Every era was totally different. But I love Starless & Bible Black!!!

[@jussitarponen1919]

@@TheProgCorner 1. Larks´s Tongues 2. In the court of 3. Red 4. Discipline 5. In the Wake of 6. Islands 7. Power to Believe 8. Three of 9. Lizard 10. Beat 11. The Constraction 12. Thrak 13. Starless and

[@TheProgCorner]

Man, you really don’t like Starless And Bible Black!!! ❤️

[@jordanpeacock8774]

Lizard and Island are two albums I just don’t get. They’re good but can’t make heads or tails of them.

[@TheProgCorner]

They are definitely “out there!”