THRAK

This is yet another new era of King Crimson, an era in which Pat Mastelotto and Trey Gunn joined the band and its four previous members, creating that phenomenon sometimes called double trio. "Thrak" was the name they chose for this album, a record that saw the light in 1995, after a complete decade of a hiatus. Though the sound is sometimes pretty alike to their previous three works (since Belew joined) here we can listen to more elements, different soundscapes and cool compositions.

In this album the band offers fifteen tracks that make a total time of 52 minutes. It is the first time a studio album has so many songs included, though some of them are short pieces. The guitar element is once again strong here, in both, the instrumental and non instrumental tracks. It powerfully starts with "VROOM" and "Coda: Marine 475", songs where the vocals are missing and when the Crimsonian style is evident since the first notes.

"Dinosaur" rapidly entered to the favorite's zone. It is a pretty cool song with nice lyrics, addictive guitars and even a catchy sound that allows people learning easily the lyrics and sing. Now, "Walking on Air" is really an hymn, a beautiful and iconic song that I am sure pleases every single KC fan, no matter if you prefer the Lake, Wetton, Belew era, you will love it. It is full of melancholy, reflection, beauty, etc., it is one of those songs that one can't help but loving it, I do.

There some other songs easy to remember and even sing, those ones are "People", "One Time" and "Sex, Sleep, Eat, Dream, Drink", nice but not outstanding songs that share some heavier moments, but in the end the soundscapes and mellow sound prevails in the most of them. Regarding the shorter or the instrumental songs, I believe that equilibrium between vocal and vocal-less tracks is pretty good here, they use them as transitional passages that help understand and enjoy better the album.

It is a cool album by the King Crimson Double-Trio, however, it is far from being one of their best, or most innovative efforts, no matter the inclusion of the charming, lovable and unforgettable "Walking on Air". My final grade will be three stars.

Enjoy it!

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