(Prog-Rock) King Crimson - Discipline
 

Quite possibly the best prog-rock album of the 80's, King Crimson's [i]Discipline[/i] is an often-overlooked gem. The first of many "comeback" albums, this album was by the new lineup of Robert Fripp, Adrian Belew, Tony Levin, and Bill Bruford. This talented group took up the King Crimson name after a seven-year absence from Fripp (who claimed "King Crimson is over for ever and ever" after the posthumous album [i]Red[/i]).

This new lineup contained only two members of the 70's group - Fripp and Bruford are joined by session ace Levin and frontman Adrian Belew (fresh out of stints with the Talking Heads and Frank Zappa). As much as bassist John Wetton and multi-instrumentalist Ian McDonald are missed, the formidable skills of this incarnation more than make up for them.

A brief track-by-track review:

"Elephant Talk":

A quirky, fun tune with great solos courtesy of Fripp. The band has an indeniable chemistry, and Belew's unique gift with words adds a lot to the music.

"Frame By Frame":

This fan favourite was one of the few KC tracks to ever recieve radioplay, and has one of Levin's baddest basslines. The interlocking guitar arpeggios are compelling and classy.

"Matte Kudasai":

A mellower, bluesy track with lap steel guitars and some of Belew's best vocals. Another unmistakable solo with that trademark Frippian tone.

"Indiscipline":

The heaviest track on the album; opening with a blinding drum solo and crushing metal riffs interspersed by hilarious spoken word.

"Thela Hun Ginjeet":

One of the few rock songs to be truly described as "funky". Complex guitar rhythms weave in and out of each other while Belew narrates an amusing event in the making of the album. More great Chapman Stick from one of rock's most melodic players.

"The Sheltering Sky":

This beautiful instrumental was the culimination of Fripp's innovative Frippertronics effects system. Fripp and Belew complement each other perfectly thoughout the album, but nowhere as sublimely as this song. The two guitarists improvise, trading solos, single-note lines, and chords over African percussion, understated bassy drones, and a guitar rhythm. The overall effect is a surreal, exotic soundscape of epic proportions.

"Discipline":

The album ends on a light note with this fun exercise in minimalism and metric modulation. Bass, drums, and guitars move in and out of phase with each other, creating interesting melodic statements.

Personnel:

Adrian Belew: Guitar, Elephantosity
Robert Fripp: Guitars and Devices
Tony Levin: Bass, Stick, Support Vocal
Bill Bruford: Batterie

Arguebly King Crimson's finest album, which sounds remarkably fresh and modern today (especially for an 80's album). Pick it up the first chance you can!

Overall Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

I've been wanting to get into KC...would you reccomend this as a good starting place?

Yes I would, definitely. It's one of KC's more accessable albums, but it's still great. Get it for sure.

I'd like to see a review of KCs newest album if you are up to it. Good review by the way.

Thank you, and yes I will do a review of [i]The Power To Believe[/i] soon when I have the time.

:)

Everything he says is true. This album is tied with "Close to the Edge" by Yes as the best progressive rock album of all time.

Thank you too Zappa...although I might put some Pink Floyd albums on there too. Anything from 1973-77.

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Zappa [/i]
[B]Everything he says is true. This album is tied with "Close to the Edge" by Yes as the best progressive rock album of all time. [/B][/QUOTE]

I agree. Very Very Very Good. I'm, as of now, more into KC's earlier stuff, but this is still great.

yeah - its a great CD and a great review, but as for the best prog record, i think the wall is better, but that is just my opinion. my favourite is Matte Kudasai

5/5

I have the first 2 King Crimson albums, there really great, too bad Greg Lake did't stick around to sing on the rest of them :( such a good voice.

Epitaph is also the greatest song ever written on there first album.

[QUOTE=Neon Dub]I have the first 2 King Crimson albums, there really great, too bad Greg Lake did't stick around to sing on the rest of them :( such a good voice.

Epitaph is also the greatest song ever written on there first album.[/QUOTE]

Correction: Epitaph is the greatest song ever written . . . ever.

[QUOTE=Led_Zep_Bonham]Correction: Epitaph is the greatest song ever written . . . ever.[/QUOTE]

No. Sheltering Sky may just edge it out for the pwn.

could you do a rewiew of beat?

I've been wanting to get into King Crimson for a while, after hearing about Fripp in various guitar books and such... I might just look into picking this album up (after I've finally got Mit Gas and Deloused in the Crematorium). Great review, very helpful. Thanks :)

[QUOTE=Maveryck]I've been wanting to get into King Crimson for a while, after hearing about Fripp in various guitar books and such... I might just look into picking this album up (after I've finally got Mit Gas and Deloused in the Crematorium). Great review, very helpful. Thanks :)[/QUOTE]

Definetely get this album. Any musician would love to hear the playing on this, and a non-musician could still love it because the songwriting is so good.

And to the above, yes, I'll do a review of [i]Beat[/i] and KC's debut album when I have the time.

[QUOTE=Led_Zep_Bonham]Correction: Epitaph is the greatest song ever written . . . ever.[/QUOTE]

That's what I meant :(

It really is!

[QUOTE=Maveryck]I've been wanting to get into King Crimson for a while, after hearing about Fripp in various guitar books and such... I might just look into picking this album up (after I've finally got Mit Gas and Deloused in the Crematorium). Great review, very helpful. Thanks :)[/QUOTE]

Skip Mit Gas, it sucks.

**** Yes, King Crimson is the best progressive rock band ever.

I'd have to say after listening to 4 diffrent crimsons albums this is my favorite

Awesome album, I got it a few weeks ago.

Frame By Frame and Matte Kudasai are the best tracks in my opinion. Some of the extended repetition sections get tiresome sometimes though, like in Discipline. But overall, a very good album.

KC has never had a better moment than the original [COLOR=Yellow]'21th Century Shizoid Man' [/COLOR] on 'In the Yard of the Crimson King'.

Actually, rock has seldom had a better moment [i][COLOR=LightBlue]tout court[/COLOR][/i]...
and indeed -Greg Lake- what a voice!

[QUOTE=Gainsbourg]'21th Century Shizoid Man' on 'In the Yard of the Crimson King'.[/QUOTE]
:amaze:

'In The COURT Of The Crimson King'

Discipline has always been my favorite King Crimson album, although I think Beat is over looked a lot of the time too. Which I think that's ashame because it's got a lot of excellent tracks on it. Good review though.