(Prog-Rock) King Crimson - The Power To Believe

Jigglypuff · 11-20-2003, 05:13 PM

The latest album from the disgustingly talented sixth (!) lineup of King Crimson. The band is similar to the 1995-2000 "double trio" lineup but is reduced to a quartet featuring Pat Mastelotto on drums and Trey Gunn on Warr guitar (a variation of the Chapman Stick). You'd think that without the virtuoso rhythm team of Tony Levin and Bill Bruford, the overall sound would diminish. On the contrary, this is some of Crimson's heaviest music ever.

Here's a brief track-by-track review:

"The Power To Believe I":

This is the first of four movements in a suite. A very short spoken word poem, which leads into:

"Level Five":

This is like the heavy metal reprise of "Discipline". Distorted, evil guitar riffs trade over complex rhythmic polymeters in this lengthy instrumental.

"Eyes Wide Open":

KC has always been a balance of loud, crushing riffs and lighter, hippiesque ballads. This mellow song would do well on the radio. Nice lyrics from longtime frontman Adrian Belew.

"Elektrik":

This album has more instrumental work than is usual even for KC, but never disappoints. Opens with woodwinds and a quirky guitar melody, and continues for a fascinating seven minutes.

"Facts Of Life: Intro":

A brief interlude of white noise that segues into:

"Facts Of Life":

A hard-rocking satirical tune, with a nice "unison solo". Mastelotto and Gunn rock the house with their pounding rhythms.

"The Power To Believe II":

My personal favourite of the album, this is really Pat Mastelotto's piece. His layers of percussion (tabla, glockenspiel, tambourine, etc) play back and forth beautifully until the bass (Gunn seems to have inherited Tony Levin's sense of melody) and guitars come in.

"Dangerous Curves":

Another instrumental, which cruises along on a repetative 6/4 guitar riff. The rhythm section is almost techno-ish on this track, although they spice things up with constant variations and fills.

"Happy With What You Have To Be Happy With":

A downright hilarious parody of the nu-metal bands that dominate today's popular scene. Fripp's dissonant, amateurish solo is almost as amusing as the sarcastic lyrics.

"The Power To Believe III":

It's not KC without a little Crimprov (to use a Frippian expression). This is actually a live soundscape.

"The Power To Believe IV: Coda":

After several bars of atonal free-form improvisation, the album ends with a second hearing of the haiku from the beginning of the album (which is interspersed throughout the lyrics). A perfect conclusion to a great album.

Personnel:

Adrian Belew: Guitar, Voice
Robert Fripp: Guitar
Trey Gunn: Warr Guitar, Warr Fretless Guitar
Pat Mastelotto: Traps and Buttons

Overall Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

11-21-2003, 08:30 AM

Good review, I got the album recently and I like it, but it is a bit weird. I would give it a 4/5.

11-21-2003, 08:26 PM

I havent bought this yet, but Im assuming its pretty good by your review. I do havthe constuction of light, and i love it. Is this anything like it?

Jigglypuff · 11-23-2003, 12:46 PM

It's better than The Construction of Light in my opinion.

Kaden · 02-02-2004, 07:45 PM

Did you mean to rate it 41/2 of 5 stars or did you mean 4 and a half out of five?

Jigglypuff · 02-03-2004, 02:23 PM

4 and one half, obviously. From now on I'll use "4.5" instead. Don't post if you don't have anything constructive to say.

Kaden · 02-03-2004, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jigglypuff

4 and one half, obviously. From now on I'll use "4.5" instead. Don't post if you don't have anything constructive to say.

I wasn't sure, I thought you were doing what Zappa did in his Freak Out review, rating it like a bajillion out of five.

BirdsOfFires · 02-03-2004, 07:14 PM

Another good review - I don't hear the magic I hear on "ITKOTCK" or "Discipline" here, but it's a good review nonetheless. I'd give this album a 3.9/5 or a 4/5.

Could you review "Red"?

Jigglypuff · 02-03-2004, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BirdsOfFires

Another good review - I don't hear the magic I hear on "ITKOTCK" or "Discipline" here, but it's a good review nonetheless. I'd give this album a 3.9/5 or a 4/5.

Could you review "Red"?

If you really want me to, sure. But that'll be the last of my KC reviews, because I don't own any more albums with the exception of Three of a Perfect Pair.

d4v · 10-13-2004, 08:28 PM

i give it 5 / 5 because I like every song on the album, King Crimson is really awesome.

the2stranger · 10-14-2004, 02:27 PM

Pat Mastelotto: Traps and Buttons

what does this guy do?

sounds_of_sanguinity · 10-28-2004, 06:15 AM

Excellent review and an even more excellent album.

11-20-2003, 05:13 PM	#1
Jigglypuff mx pokemon Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Mount Moon Posts: 642	(Prog-Rock) King Crimson - The Power To Believe The latest album from the disgustingly talented sixth (!) lineup of King Crimson. The band is similar to the 1995-2000 "double trio" lineup but is reduced to a quartet featuring Pat Mastelotto on drums and Trey Gunn on Warr guitar (a variation of the Chapman Stick). You'd think that without the virtuoso rhythm team of Tony Levin and Bill Bruford, the overall sound would diminish. On the contrary, this is some of Crimson's heaviest music ever. Here's a brief track-by-track review: "The Power To Believe I": This is the first of four movements in a suite. A very short spoken word poem, which leads into: "Level Five": This is like the heavy metal reprise of "Discipline". Distorted, evil guitar riffs trade over complex rhythmic polymeters in this lengthy instrumental. "Eyes Wide Open": KC has always been a balance of loud, crushing riffs and lighter, hippiesque ballads. This mellow song would do well on the radio. Nice lyrics from longtime frontman Adrian Belew. "Elektrik": This album has more instrumental work than is usual even for KC, but never disappoints. Opens with woodwinds and a quirky guitar melody, and continues for a fascinating seven minutes. "Facts Of Life: Intro": A brief interlude of white noise that segues into: "Facts Of Life": A hard-rocking satirical tune, with a nice "unison solo". Mastelotto and Gunn rock the house with their pounding rhythms. "The Power To Believe II": My personal favourite of the album, this is really Pat Mastelotto's piece. His layers of percussion (tabla, glockenspiel, tambourine, etc) play back and forth beautifully until the bass (Gunn seems to have inherited Tony Levin's sense of melody) and guitars come in. "Dangerous Curves": Another instrumental, which cruises along on a repetative 6/4 guitar riff. The rhythm section is almost techno-ish on this track, although they spice things up with constant variations and fills. "Happy With What You Have To Be Happy With": A downright hilarious parody of the nu-metal bands that dominate today's popular scene. Fripp's dissonant, amateurish solo is almost as amusing as the sarcastic lyrics. "The Power To Believe III": It's not KC without a little Crimprov (to use a Frippian expression). This is actually a live soundscape. "The Power To Believe IV: Coda": After several bars of atonal free-form improvisation, the album ends with a second hearing of the haiku from the beginning of the album (which is interspersed throughout the lyrics). A perfect conclusion to a great album. Personnel: Adrian Belew: Guitar, Voice Robert Fripp: Guitar Trey Gunn: Warr Guitar, Warr Fretless Guitar Pat Mastelotto: Traps and Buttons Overall Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars Last edited by Jigglypuff; 02-03-2004 at 02:23 PM.

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11-21-2003, 08:30 AM	#2
GraveCross Guest Posts: n/a	Good review, I got the album recently and I like it, but it is a bit weird. I would give it a 4/5.

11-21-2003, 08:26 PM	#3
cytoplasmicblob Guest Posts: n/a	I havent bought this yet, but Im assuming its pretty good by your review. I do havthe constuction of light, and i love it. Is this anything like it?

11-23-2003, 12:46 PM	#4
Jigglypuff mx pokemon Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Mount Moon Posts: 642	It's better than The Construction of Light in my opinion.

02-02-2004, 07:45 PM	#5
Kaden Little Nancy Callahan Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 8,550	Did you mean to rate it 41/2 of 5 stars or did you mean 4 and a half out of five?

02-03-2004, 02:23 PM	#6
Jigglypuff mx pokemon Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Mount Moon Posts: 642	4 and one half, obviously. From now on I'll use "4.5" instead. Don't post if you don't have anything constructive to say.

02-03-2004, 07:14 PM	#8
BirdsOfFires For Percussive Effect Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Vote for the Green or Social Liberal Parties in the upcoming MX election. Posts: 1,592	Another good review - I don't hear the magic I hear on "ITKOTCK" or "Discipline" here, but it's a good review nonetheless. I'd give this album a 3.9/5 or a 4/5. Could you review "Red"?

10-13-2004, 08:28 PM	#10
d4v The Awesome Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Nanaimo Posts: 11	i give it 5 / 5 because I like every song on the album, King Crimson is really awesome.

10-14-2004, 02:27 PM	#11
the2stranger My body becomes my cage Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: the Netherlands Posts: 17,555	Pat Mastelotto: Traps and Buttons what does this guy do?

10-28-2004, 06:15 AM	#12
sounds_of_sanguinity Registered User Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 299	Excellent review and an even more excellent album.