THE THIRD STAR

The second solo album from King Crimson bassist/guitarist mixes classic Crimson/ProjeKcts type of music with oriental influences. The result is more technical, guitar oriented and less jazz/rock.

"Dziban" opens the album with an instrumental dedicated to the Warr guitar - long technical solos in this ProjeKct-like song. "Symbiotic" is the rocker of the album - vocalist Toyah (Robert Fripp's wife?) adds power to the heavy melody resembling sometimes King Crimson, sometimes White Zombie. In "Arrakis", Trey Gunn shows the full power of his guitar - only one instrument to emulate all guitars and bass (great percussion on this track too). "Sirrah" is the first instrumental on the album with oriental influences - here Trey Gunn uses the Chapman stick in addition to the Warr guitar to give some volume to the melody. And now the gem of the album... the quiet "The Third Star" - beautiful melody, gorgeous italian voice. "Acquiring Canopus" and "Kaffaljidhma" are two technical tracks cowritten by King Crimson drummer Pat Mastellotto - again two ProjeKct-like instrumentals. "Yad Al-Gawza" is the soundscape of the album - very dark with minimal instrumentation. "Kuma" is another technical track, very similar to the other technical tracks on this album. The only real weak track is probably the last one "Indiera" - those distorted vocals are horrible and the song is long and repetitive.

Rating: 80/100 (very good)

What a pleasant surprise! I found Trey Gunn's album just because of my hot interest to last incarnation of King Crimson. Somewhere by similar way I tested Tony Levin Band ( without big success, I can say), Bruford solo projects ( more successfully), Levin Gunn collaboration ( really interesting!). After I came to trey Gunn solo works and was absolutely impressed!

I think , Gunn for a moment is one of most interesting gutarist working in the field of post KC - prog. in his solo works you not only listen KC school, but can find plenty of fresh ideas and sounds, which KC will be proud to invent by itself.

Because of very limited distribution, it's difficult to imagine, how important Gunn's solo project music will be for today's eclectic and heavy prog, but just try find his albums, and you will hear the fresh and innovative music you haven't heard for years!