DISCIPLINE

With this album, KC had reinvented themselves yet again. Following the break up of the previous lineup, Fripp began working as a session musician with many famous artists, including David Bowie and Peter Gabriel. It was during these sessions that he met two musicians, Adrian Belew and Tony Levin. The reformed KC included these two newcomers, as well as the returning Bruford, who had also done some reinventing of his own style. From this the new King Crimson was born.

This is, without a doubt, the strongest lineup King Crimson has ever had. The musicians playing works together perfectly. Bruford's use of electronic drums and the unique sound of Tony Levin's Chapman Stick provide one of the strongest rhythm sections ever. With Belew, Fripp had finally found the perfect frontman and partner. Both musicians contradict and compliment each other so well. Their styles are similar, but Fripp is the more experienced, subdued, and "disciplined" of the two, while Belew is his younger, wilder, "indisciplined" alter-ego.

With this album, KC had adapted to the new wave sound, influenced by Belew's work with Talking Heads, and also influenced by world music, inspired by Fripp and Levin's work with Peter Gabriel. The music has very little to do with the "prog rock" of the 60's and 70's. However, compared to what Yes, Genesis, and Asia were doing at the exact same time, King Crimson was the only band to continue to make music that was truly "progressive". Their sound was unique and challenging, and also very impressive from a technical standpoint. Some pop hooks are included, but the band refuses to "dumb down" their sound to each a larger audience.

The opening track, "Elephant Talk", immediately demonstrates what the new KC is all about. It begins with some impressive Chapman stick soling from Levin, who then begins the songs catchy bassline. Belew's vocals, despite being spoken word, are very rhythmic and musical. His lyrics are very strange and unique, representative of his personality, and he even mocks his own lyrical style at one point ("debate, discussion, these are words with a D this time!". Belew and Fripp both demonstrate their guitar skills, each with their own unique solo. Belew's solo is a strange sonic exploration with strange synth guitar noises. Fripp's solo is aggressive, fast, and technical, this again demonstrates their unique personalities fitting together perfectly.

The next two tracks, "Frame By Frame" and "Matte Kudasai", are the two most commercial sounding on the album. "Frame By Frame" contains very unique guitar interplay between Fripp and Belew, and Fripp also demonstrates this ability to create soundscapes with his guitar. "Matte Kudasai" is the album's only ballad, and while not very impressive lyrically, it does demonstrate Belew's vocal abilities very well. Belew also has some very impressive synth guitar parts, creating sounds that might have been made with a violin or saxophone in one of the previous Crimson lineups.

"Indiscipline" is the strongest track on the album, and closest the band comes to emulating the spirit of the earlier Crimsons. The song alternates between a softly played rhythm accompanied by Belews spoken word vocals. His voice starts out early calm, but as soon as he starts shouting, the band follows with an explosive jam, and some of the most violent aggressive solos Fripp has ever played.

This is followed by "Thela Hun Ginjeet", a fast, energetic song, containing many tribal sounds and elements. This song, while sounding straightforward, is also deceptively complex, with Fripp's odd and amazing lead riff accompanying Belew's simpler rhythms.

The album ends with two instrumentals, "The Sheltering Sky" and Discipline". Both of these pieces sound more clam and subdued than anything else on the album, but they are certainly not boring. Bruford and Levin continue to demonstrate their amazing talents as one of rock's most unique rhythm sections. On "The Sheltering Sky", Belew continues to impress with his unique synth guitar sounds. On "Discipline" we hear the band playing together in perfect harmony, all of the musicians playing their roles perfectly and complimenting each other very well.

This is by far King Crimsons strongest album, but like all of their other albums, it still can't compare to their live sound. To hear this lineup at their absolute best, listen to the live recording "Absent Lovers".