THRAK

This is the best release of the latest incarnation of King Crimson! I realize that many may disagree with my point of view; some say that the album is too technical/mechanic and lacks the personal touch of the band's '70s output. Others might remark that only the original '70s incarnation of the band is the real one and everything that has been released since then is merely Robert Fripp's solo work. But being a big King Crimson follower I don't believe in imitators! As long as there is Robert Fripp the Crimso name will live on and prosper!

Thrak must have been a welcoming surprise for most fans that followed the band in the '70s and saw them incorporating new tools and techniques in the early '80s. By 1995, the music industry had already surpassed the level of technological development that the band depicted in the '80s and there was no way for this lineup to do anything else but push forward, creating new exciting music in the process. The first sounds of the opening track VROOOM definitely prove that King Crimson had not lost their touch and the music that follows sounds fresh and very modern for a band that has been around since the late '60s.

What follows is an extravaganza of sighs and sounds that you'll rarely hear anywhere but on a King Crimson album, but don't expect the band to return to their roots. This progressive rock release doesn't rely on any of the band's past merits and instead carves a new path that King Crimson will continue exploring through the next few albums. If that's not exciting enough then I honestly don't know if you're really interested in listening to progressive music!

***** songs: VROOOM (4:38) Walking On Air (4:38) Inner Garden (Part I) (1:47) One Time (5:22) Inner Garden (Part II) (1:16) Sex Sleep Eat Drink Dream (4:50)

**** songs: Coda: Marine 475 (2:41) Dinosaur (6:37) B'Boom (4:11) THRAK (3:59) People (5:53) VROOOM VROOOM (5:50) VROOOM VROOOM (Coda) (3:01)

*** songs: Radio (Part I) (0:44) Radio (Part II) (1:03)

Total Rating: 4,37