ROBERT FRIPP, TREY GUNN & BILL RIEFLIN: THE REPERCUSSIONS OF ANGELIC BEHAVIOR

If planning and execution are the intellectual side of refined, tasteful, simply fine music then improvisation is the life blood, or visceral method of breaking new ground and reaching into the unknown. Jazz and blues rely on it for inspiration. "The Repercussions of Angelic Behavior" (TROAB) is an expedition into the frontier forged by King Crimson and its members. This music is not the perfection of Fripp's grand idea. It is a step along the path blazed by "Space Groove". TROAB is more of a refinement and a further test of the idea behind The Projekts, and makes a fine addition to any progressive rock collection. Robert Fripp's guitar work figures most prominently here. Good leadership is a sort of give-and-take between urging others to follow and stepping back & letting others explore. That description is appropriate here, but Rieflin and Gunn are a bit timid here. This reviewer would not blame them, since the path is new and improvisation is a delicate ballet in which the players must support each other, make their own personal inventive contribution, while not getting in each others way. Fripp, Gunn, and Rieflin accomplish this successfully.

It would not be fair to compare Rieflin to Bruford, Mastelotto, and others. He's a drummer of some accomplishment, without sounding denigrating. But on this album he does not exceed expectations. His inventiveness does not shine through, fully. This reviewer can offer no explanation. Gunn is also restrained most of the time, given what he's done in the past. Fripp is a genius, but one can wonder what this work would have been like if Gunn and Rieflin would have been more risky in their performance.

Be certain that this is not the same old Crimson. Its different, original, inventive, and a real treat. If you're still enamored with how Crimson used to sound then it's going to take some maturation to see where Fripp is going and appreciate it. But if you have an adventurous heart...go for it. It's definitely a good ride. This reviewer never tires of TROAB.