King Crimson
THRAK
[Discipline Global Mobile/Virgin]
The 1995 comeback full length didn't disappoint on the promise of '94's taster EP 'VROOOM'.
"VROOOM" is here again to lead off the album. It's different from the EP version, though - somewhat tighter and more clean sounding, and it gives way more quickly to the new "Coda: Marine 475", a thoughtful little extension of the instrumental with some interesting guitar work and strange lyrics folded in.
"Dinosaur" has become a signature song of latter day KC, with the irresistible singing and humorous, reflective, bittersweet lyrics of Adrian Belew. Bill Bruford and Pat Mastelotto have fun bouncing drum work back and forth in the background. The dramatic keyboard break gives the song extra weight and further illustrates the band's songwriting mastery.
The Beatles' influence on the band, particularly Belew, is evident in the smooth "Walking on Air". Still, Robert Fripp's unmistakable guitar soloing and the restrained but active rhythm section mark this as Crimson at their melodic and introspective best.
The potential of having two world-class drummers in the band is realized in the aptly titled "B'Boom", in which Bruford and Mastelotto whip up some unheard-of rhythmic combinations together. Typical of even the most death defyingly technical KC music, this is listenable on its own merits as well, assisted by excellent composition and a dark Fripp guitar soundscape during the first half.
The title track is even more terrifying than on the EP, with distorted vocals and longer stretches of disorienting guitar and bass mutterings to break apart the crunching rhythmic bulk of the piece.
"People" harkens back to the 'Beat'/'Three of a Perfect Pair' era with its clean, detailed guitar work and high-profile chorus featuring Tony Levin's backing vocals. In comparison to those days, this has many more facets, including plenty of loud/quiet changes and terrific, surprising playing from all six men.
"VROOOM VROOOM" and its coda represent a mischievous, warped alter ego for "VROOOM" and nicely wrap up the album.
This richly diverse, consistently excellent hour-long feast opened the fourth chapter in the King Crimson dynasty and remains a great introduction to the band for a new generation of listeners.
© 2001 j.s.
"VROOOM" is here again to lead off the album. It's different from the EP version, though - somewhat tighter and more clean sounding, and it gives way more quickly to the new "Coda: Marine 475", a thoughtful little extension of the instrumental with some interesting guitar work and strange lyrics folded in.
"Dinosaur" has become a signature song of latter day KC, with the irresistible singing and humorous, reflective, bittersweet lyrics of Adrian Belew. Bill Bruford and Pat Mastelotto have fun bouncing drum work back and forth in the background. The dramatic keyboard break gives the song extra weight and further illustrates the band's songwriting mastery.
The Beatles' influence on the band, particularly Belew, is evident in the smooth "Walking on Air". Still, Robert Fripp's unmistakable guitar soloing and the restrained but active rhythm section mark this as Crimson at their melodic and introspective best.
The potential of having two world-class drummers in the band is realized in the aptly titled "B'Boom", in which Bruford and Mastelotto whip up some unheard-of rhythmic combinations together. Typical of even the most death defyingly technical KC music, this is listenable on its own merits as well, assisted by excellent composition and a dark Fripp guitar soundscape during the first half.
The title track is even more terrifying than on the EP, with distorted vocals and longer stretches of disorienting guitar and bass mutterings to break apart the crunching rhythmic bulk of the piece.
"People" harkens back to the 'Beat'/'Three of a Perfect Pair' era with its clean, detailed guitar work and high-profile chorus featuring Tony Levin's backing vocals. In comparison to those days, this has many more facets, including plenty of loud/quiet changes and terrific, surprising playing from all six men.
"VROOOM VROOOM" and its coda represent a mischievous, warped alter ego for "VROOOM" and nicely wrap up the album.
This richly diverse, consistently excellent hour-long feast opened the fourth chapter in the King Crimson dynasty and remains a great introduction to the band for a new generation of listeners.
© 2001 j.s.