Much of Lark's Tongues In Aspic was written and performed publicly in England well before the albums early 1973 release. "Magic" became a buzzword associated with this era of Crimson, due to reviews in Melody Maker about this incarnations ability to improvise, as well as Fripp's
tendency for linking ESP, mysticism and the creative process in his discussions with interviewers. More than any other Crimson recording of the 70's, this album conveys KC's ability to distill tension from musical enterprise. It is also the one album that still sounds fresh, 25 years after its inception. The album lyrics were provided by Richard Palmer-James, with vocals by Wetton. The album's opening composition, "Larks Tongues In
 
 
 
 
  The Songs:
  Larks' Tongues in Aspic, Part One
  Book of Saturday
  Exiles
  Easy Money
  The Talking Drum
  Larks' Tongues in Aspic, Part Two
 
Aspic, Part I" is as difficult to categorize as anything that can be heard recorded on vinyl up until that period. Is it rock? Avante garde? Jazz? Does it matter? "Exiles" and "Easy Money" were at opposite poles: one a moody and cryptic ballad, the latter a cynical expose of 20th Century Materialism. The instrumental that closes out the album, "Lark's Tongues In Aspic, Part II", continues to be played live even in the 90's. A favorite of Crimheads, the tune features a heavy-guitar chord riff beautiful in its simplicity. Cross' violin provides the necessary counterpoint with a strange melody that stays with you hours after the song is over. Add to
that a most unusual time-signature and Muir in the background flailing away on gongs and cymbals with metal chains, and you've got the ingredient for classic Crimson.
 

 
 
 
  Musicians:
  David Cross: Violin, Viola & Mellotron
  Robert Fripp: Guitar & Mellotron
  John Wetton: Bass & Vocals
  Bill Bruford: Drums
  Jamie Muir: Percussion & Allsorts
 
Copyright 1973 by EG Records