The start of something beautiful
One of my favourites. It changed my perception of music. Long live the king.
Described by The Who’s Pete Townshend as “an uncanny masterpiece”, King Crimson’s debut was released in October 1969 becoming an instant chart hit on both sides of the Atlantic - not bad for a band who only got together less than ten months earlier. 21st Century Schizoid Man showcases the band’s ability to blend music that had the brutal attack of a claw hammer yet wielded with the skilled precision of a surgeon’s scalpel. Consisting of a visionary blend of gothic ruminations, anthemic Mellotron-laden grandeur, ornate arrangements and introspective folkish abstractions, the album was a huge influence on bands such as Yes and Genesis and countless other acts on the ‘70s rock scene. ITCOTCK’s distinctive sound is as fresh, bold and as startling as when it first appeared.
