The albums that have kept us happy, strong, comforted and ALIVE in the past 12 months. A few notes: this chart was compiled by John Doran out of polls from Patrick Clarke, Christian Eede, Luke Turner, Anna Wood & himself based on the new albums they have listened to most since January 1. Introduction written by tree master Turner.
Recorded at King Crimson’s nadir, Red looked destined to be just another forgotten final album, its release playing second fiddle to Robert Fripp’s idiosyncratic “retirement”. 50 years later, its influence is immeasurable, the perfect distillation of what’s possible from a rock trio, says Jeremy Allen