In the Wake of Poseidon (CD/Dvd-Audio) [CD+DVD, Doppel-CD]

Following "In The Court Of The Crimson King", "In The Wake Of Poseidon" was all the more remarkable, in that it contained half of the original group. Songwriter Pete Sinfield now had nearly total lyrical control. "Poseidon" is peppered with more poetic and beautifully arranged songs than its predecessor, but also contains the stark urgency of that original.

"Peace-A Beginning", a sweet vocal/acoustic song opens and then transcends into the wild jazz infused "Pictures Of A City" where there are bridges and changes in momentum in less than eight minutes than on "In The Court's..." songs. There is a theme within this album as songs seem to alternate between calm, whimsical melodies to the urgent, almost frantic pace of some of King Crimson's best songs. This is proven again with the very pretty "Cadence And Cascade" before diving into the mellotron weighted title track, with great lyrics and the pre ELP vocals of Greg Lake. The very short "Peace-A Theme" is quickly followed by one of King Crimson's most bizarre songs (if that is possible), "Cat Food" marked with a seemingly non-sensical piano that bounces around like; well a cat running back and forth across the keys. Amazingly, this song was released as a single with "Groon" as the B-Side. It was an odd choice indeed.

"The Devil's Triangle" (Parts 1, 2 and 3) are a mesmerizing, haunting, almost fearsome trio of songs that push the edge of sanity on a mellotron with a marching drum beat. Part 1 introduces the listener to the original mood before a bridge of a computer-like foghorn pierces the song. Part 2 continues the pace with a second bridge with the simple banging of a `stick on rock'. Then all hell breaks loose on Part 3 with the tempo increasing and the occasional jazz input for emphasis and variety. About a minute into the 3rd part the band begins a true concoction of a random free-form of musical mayhem, including a great short harmony vocal from "In The Court of The Crimson King". Its musical madness until "Peace-An End" brings the album full circle with a calming melody and lyrics that seems to bring sanity back until the final fade-out.

The 2010 mix of "Groon" is included here which is a rock/jazz influence that can only be King Crimson, with the dichotomy of making no sense and total sense at once. Two extras on the CD are an alternate version of "Peace: An End" and a Greg Lake vocal of "Cadence And Cascade".

The DVD contains the entire album remixed by Steven Wilson in 5.1 from the original studio master (note that "The Devil's Triangle" was painstakingly remixed from a stereo version). Along with the 5.1, there is the Lossless 2010 Stereo Mix, The original 1970 stereo mix (the 30th Anniversary remaster) and some great bonus tracks. The single version of "Cat Food" is here, along with three versions of "Cadence And Cascade", three versions of "Groon" (take 1, take 5 and take 15 for those who need all the details), the rehearsed version of "The Devil's Triangle" and an alternate mix of "Peace An End".

King Crimson actually matches if not tops itself with this 40th anniversary edition with more music and great liner notes again, by Sid Smith.

King Crimson war und ist sicherlich eine der Bands die in meinem Freundeskreis entweder geliebt oder gemieden wird. Es hat im letzten Jahr wieder angefangen mit den ersten remasterten drei Platten. Nun kommt diese unglaubliche Platte mit einer bis heute noch nie gehörten Intensität auf den Markt. Wie gesagt, lange nicht mehr gehört. Aber glaubt mir, ich hatte keine Note vergessen. Die Post kommt und man beschließt am Abend mal reinzuhören. Daraus wurde nichts. Komplettes durchhören war Pflicht und eine Freude. In den kommenden Tagen wird es noch mal so krachen, wenn die Post ein "zweites mal klingelt"Islands (CD/Dvd-Audio), mit "Island". Viel geschrieben und kurzer Sinn. Kaufen, es lohnt sich. War genauso begeistert wie bei den Genesis Remasterten Ausgaben.