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Often in the front-running with Court and Red as fans' favorite Crimson album, Larks' Tongues falls just a bit short for me. To be sure, this is the start of the strongest incarnation of the band who would go on to tour extensively and put out two more studio albums with roughly the same membership.

Tracks like 'Easy Money' or 'Larks' Tongues Part 2' show the band's blend of experimentation and harder rocking style that would be continued on Starless and Red. The main weak link here is Jamie Muir whose extended solo spots on the album opening and 'The Talking Drum' fail to hold my interest. The band-wide improvisation would become the basis of the following Starless and Bible Black, thankfully with the more-than-capable Bruford taking over all percussion duties.

Everyone else really does shine on this album, Fripp is more economical with his guitar work and acts as a counterbalance to Cross' interweaving melodic lines. For me the true MVP of this album is Wetton. While his distinctive "love-it-or-hate-it" (I love it) vocals are worth mentioning, his true contribution to this album's success is on bass. His playing is muscular, groovy, occasionally effect-laden and keeps the wild arrangements earthbound along with Bruford's inventive and tight playing.

While not my favorite Crimson album, definitely highly recommended to any fan of experimental or heavy music, and a harbinger of more great things to come from this lineup.