Definitely a dog with two
tails this collection from Britain’s premier
progressive rockers King Crimson, who
as ever are led by the musician’s musician
Mr. Robert Fripp.
The first four songs on the album are
more heavily influenced by Robert Fripps
side kick Adrian Belew, showing off Crimsons,
dare I say it, poppier sound, where all
band members sound as if they are quite
happy to entertain us, in fact “Sleepless”
was very nearly a hit single for the band
with it’s slap bass style, and the title
song is classic pop rock with its exasperated
call to make sense out of that thing we
call love.
But after these four little ditties comes
the heavy prog-rock dinosaur that is more
probably the real King Crimson, you are
lulled into a false sense of security
by the lilting lullaby (“Nuages” that
which passes, passes like clouds) then
“Industry” gives you a sonic discription
of a scrap yard crew at work, full of
saws, drills, and piston engines, without
even the faintest apology that they just
plain don’t bother with any vocals to
give you a glimmer of what’s going on,
a crazy idea yes, but take a listen, it
really works. By way of making it up to
the listener the next piece of music (well
you can hardly call them songs) is “Dig
Me” the bands tribute to old cars, with
the whimsical words of the forlorn car
“Once I was worshipped, polished magnificently,
now I live in decay by the dirty angry
bay”, “Dig me but don’t bury me”, “No
Warning” is a chance for Bill Bruford
to show off his chops, on both the acoustic
and electric drums.
The music is drawn to a conclusion by
the latest chapter in “The larks tongue
in aspic” this being part 3, a blend of
all that’s gone before in all editions
of every “King Crimson” line up from the
beginning of time, a fitting end as this
would be better termed as “King Black”,
the music is heavy disturbing stuff that
is just sure to alienate your neighbors.
It would be a far stretch to call this
music Rock ‘n’ Roll, but it is certainly
very invigorating.
The multi facets of this King Crimson
obviously got too much for the musicians
at this point, as without touring this
album, Robert Fripp retired the band for
the next decade, but as ever they came
back and the story continues today. King
Crimson are an acquired taste, well worth
the effort, but I feel this album is a
little confusing with its too very different
parts, so not an easy album for a beginner,
so therefore I deduct 1 star for self
indulgence, but do highly recommend further
investigation.
Pawed by Mott The Dog
Remastered by Ella Crew
E-mail: review@mott-the-dog.com
