#3: King Crimson - Islands

Release Year: 1971

Islands is regrettably considered by many critics to be King Crimson's worst album from the first era.  I, for the life of me, can't figure out how anyone can appreciate King Crimson, yet consider an album with "Formentera Lady", "Islands," and especially "Sailor's Tale" to be subpar.

This album is definitely different.  It has more flute, saxophone, and mellotron than electric guitar.  It has many delicate passages, and if you're listening to it while driving, you're going to miss half the music.

Islands also features Boz Burrell on vocals, one of my favorite King Crimson singers.  Burrell brought a dynamic to the band that fits this album like a glove; it's hard to imagine anybody else taking his place.

It really doesn't bother me that Islands is not very popular.  I myself didn't fully appreciate it until I heard it in surround sound.  This album is 40 years old, and nobody has dared make anything else like this.  Not even King Crimson.

Standout tracks:

• Ladies of the Road
• Sailor's Tale
• Islands 

#39: Yes - The Yes Album

Release Year: 1971

I can describe why I like this album in two words: Steve Howe.

This was Howe's first record with the band, and his contribution is noticeable, to say the least.  While this album doesn't enjoy the popularity of Yes's two following albums, Fragile and Close To The Edge (both very good albums), this is the album that began their run of excellent records, and my favorite.

It's hard to find a better song than "Starship Trooper," and I have to say the last movement of the song, entitled "Würm," is one of the best instrumental stretches in any rock song, and one of the best endings ever.  I know that sounds like somewhat of a hyperbole, but it's really tough to deny (incidentally, "Würm" was composed by Howe).

The other reason I really like this album is because of another Howe contribution, "Clap."  This is one of my favorite guitar pieces, for its melody and technical creativity alike.  It is this song that makes me wish I were a more accomplished guitarist, because I would love to be able to just pull out an acoustic guitar and rip this one out.  If you play guitar, and you haven't heard this song... What are you waiting for?

This is a very solid album for Yes.  It came after they had achieved incredible musical aptitude, but before they started writing songs that require your full concentration to enjoy.

Standout tracks:

• Starship Trooper
• I've Seen All Good People
• Clap