DISCIPLINE

A great new formation of King Crimson came into being in the early 80s, with the only remnant of the old lineup being Bill Bruford on Drums. Fripp returns on guitar, of course, and japanese guitarist/singer Adrian Belew is recruited, as is long time Peter Gabriel Bass Player Tony Levin on the stick, a new instrument with 12 strings that can only be played using fingertapping. Together, these 4 very talented musicians will carry Prog into the 80s in a very different, unique form.

Elephant Talk: A great stick opening, showing Levin's skill on the instrument, this is one of the oddest songs Crimson ever did. With Belew almost speaking the strange, conversation related lyrics and Fripp screeching out high notes, this song is enough to make you think, is this music? However, Belew's guitar solo after the 4th verse is gorgeous and very skillful, and Bill Bruford uses almost no cymbals, mainly bongos.

Frame by Frame: With Levin and Fripp providing the blistering main riff, Belew is free to make good use of al his talents on the guitar. the instrumental blast offs in this song are incredible. Bruford again with some masterful drum work, again, almost all toms, and during the quieter interludes, Belew sings with emotion. Classic song.

Matte Kudasai: as always, every Crimson album has a ballad for those who do not enjoy the blaring oddities of the rest of their work, and this one is magnificent. With great rhythm guitar from fripp and a solid bass line from Levin, Belew is again free to solo on the slide guitar. it seems Fripp has taken a spot on stage nowhere near the spotlight, overwhelmed by Belew's stage presence. Beautiful song, great singing.

Indiscipline: A strange intro, filled with random bass notes and drum fills, this leads into a great jam-like section with plenty of electric soloing from both guitarists. Bruford is at his best here, making us constantly guess at what the time signature is. The vocal section reminds us of the beginning with the low bass notes, and Belew is again speaking the works. he seems contemplative, and the trilling guitar in the background slowly builds into the next jam section. This is repeated to the end of the song. I like it!

Thela Hun Jinjeet: A hard rocker in 7/4 most of the time, but occasionally lapsing into 4/4, making for a great tribal beat song. the drums are ever-pounding, and the guitar has a steady riff. the chanting is ominous, and Belew's lead vocals only add to the hysteria. A little repetetive, but still very well done.

Sheltering Sky: this is where Robert Fripp's credit of "Guitars and DEVICES" comes into play. full of soft bongo play and easy rhythm guitar chords, this song is very relaxing, with some very high, screeching soloing coming from something, I don't know what. It doesn't go too long at all, and its a very well done song.

Discipline: the one song on the album i don't particularly like, its just a random collection of riffs and drums, and doesn't seem to go anywhere.

Overall, a great start to a new era of the Crimson King, and quite a start, although the band would falter slightly on their next, more commercial-sounding album, Beat.