DISCIPLINE

My appreciation for King Crimson is near endless. My enjoyment of them is mixed, at the best of times. This is another perfect example. This isn't just creative, it's one of the most downright bonkers sounds I think I've ever come across, particularly for its era - the reinvention of Robert Fripp's insane guitar skills as some kind of afrobeat Talking Heads- esque dance rock is a hell of a turn. In different parts of the album he finds ways to make the guitar do things that had never been heard at the time - you can hear math rock, post-rock and even prog metal all over this album.

And for about half of it, there are some genuinely great moments beyond the sheer genius of the sound. Adrian Belew does a hell of a job on vocals, particularly on the heartfelt "Matte Kudasai", and there are some very memorable hooks throughout it - I find myself shouting I WISH YOU WERE HERE TO SEE IT at inopportune times on the regular these days. But the drawback for me here is just how clinical most of this is - barring a couple of vocal-led bits of passion, this is probably the coldest and most emotionless Crimson have ever sounded, unless you count weird dance feelings as strong emotions. I love this from an academic perspective, but I only really like half of it from a pure enjoyment perspective. Still, it's an essential record and one that anyone with any interest in the guitar as an instrument must hear.

7.0 (6th listen)

Part of my listening diary from my facebook music blog - www.facebook.com/TheExoskeletalJunction

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