“In The Wake Of Poseidon”(1970) by King Crimson

I could write a one sentence review of “In The Wake Of Poseidon”.  It goes:  “In The Wake Of Poseidon” is to King Crimson as “Magical Mystery Tour” is to The Beatles.  That’s the best description I have for King Crimson’s follow up to “In The Court Of The Crimson King”.  It’s more of the same and underrated because of that.  Now, this album isn’t on the artistic scale of “Magical Mystery Tour” but it’s still a good record.

It starts out with and ends with “Peace- A Beginning” and “Peace- An End”.  Both are short little songs that serve as bookends to the album.  A lot like “Pigs On The Wing” from Pink Floyd’s “Animals”, just not as fleshed out.  The best song is the true opening track “Pictures of a City”.  It is a perfect redo of “21st Century Schizoid Man”.  With fast jazzy parts, and trumpets, and heavy guitar tones, and menacing lyrics King Crimson really did try to outdo themselves.  On a purely superficial level they might have, but it loses all of its freshness since it’s so similar to “21st Century Schizoid Man”.  It’s by far the best song anyways.

“Cadence and Cascade” is the bands attempt at recreating “Epitaph”(or maybe “I Talk To The Wind” minus flutes).  I like this one a whole lot better.  Set to a piano rich melody the lyrics are a bit corny but work.  The acoustic guitar accents are nice as well.  I forgot to mention a short interlude in the middle called “Peace- A Theme” that just echos the other “Peace” songs.  The song that follows is called “Cat Food”.  It’s the most fun number and is basically a loose jazz jam.  What it has to do with the theme of the album I have no idea but it remains the second best number on “In The Wake Of Poseidon”.

The other big numbers on here are “In The Wake Of Poseidon” and “The Devil’s Triangle”.  The latter features freakish and scary instrumentation.  Giving me the impression of some sort of journey through HELL(The Devil’s Triangle?).  This song serves as the ”Moonchild” style track, although infinitely more interesting.  The title track is good and again a complete formula rip from “In The Court Of The Crimson King”.  It just isn’t as memorable.  I get bored by it.  The songs main flaw is a lack of an epic breakthrough riff to aleve the pain of the slower parts.

So, let me repeat that “In The Wake Of Poseidon” is not as good as “In The Court Of The Crimson King” but really just suffers as an afterthought like The Beatles “Magical Mystery Tour” was to “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band”.  The music and production is great but there is a clear lack of innovation.  Having said all that this album remains underrated and you should really get it just because of “Pictures Of A City”.

Best Song: Pictures Of A City
Album Rating: 7/10