Congratulations Mike, well deserved indeed
KC - ItCotCK - 40th vs. 50th Review
We have quite different tastes in terms of best KC surround releases. I always thought that Larks and Lizard were far superior to Red, but I agree on Discipline being great (and also the 'right' side of ToaPP).The pinnacle of KC remains, for me, Red and Discipline, so those are my 10s. I think... I'd have to go look!
Thanks for the kind words, everyone. My hope is that Life in Surround brings the kind of attention to surround music that prompts more surround music to be created. And that we all have a good time together with it.
I mean, you really cannot go wrong with this. Improved audio (YMMV), some nice extras. Cheap.I have the 2009 disc but have just ordered this one based on ratings and comments here.
...is the mind-blowingly boring improvisational section that comprises most of Moonchild. I’m all for improvisation in music and the musicians in this first edition of King Crimson were more than capable of doing so, but what they did on Moonchild simply goes nowhere and literally devolves to silence interrupted by a clank or two for what seems like extended periods of time. At least that’s the way I hear it.
My only complaint, and it isn’t unique to this fantastic new release, is the mind-blowingly boring improvisational section that comprises most of Moonchild. [...] what they did on Moonchild simply goes nowhere and literally devolves to silence interrupted by a clank or two for what seems like extended periods of time. At least that’s the way I hear it.
I’m right there with you. To quote a review I had of the low point of an otherwise wonderful 40th anniversary Earthbound release: It sounds terrible and IS terrible.
I had to laugh when I read that. I've always had a difficult time appreciating improvisation, which is one reason I don't listen to much traditional jazz. In music, I'm all about structure, form and purpose, so improv always ends up sounding to me like a kid noodling around on a guitar in a music store when he doesn't know any music. I just don't find it interesting. It's the reason why much of Crimson's early works are somewhat inaccessible to me. But despite that, I really admire the musicianship and there's a great deal to like about this album and the 4 or 5 that came after it.