The 80’s King Crimson

Compared to the 80s output of the other members of the Big 3--Yes and Genesis--King Crimson trully maintained the "progressive" nature of their music.    The Discipline era albums work as a bridge between prog and 80s New Wave. While Yes and Genesis in the 80s tried to turn themselves into pop superstars, Fripp prefered to stay in musical conversation with the underground sounds of the time. Television's Marquee Moon and Discipline can be listened to in succession and it makes sense. You can't make the same leap with ABACAB.

Jim Garten wrote: danbo wrote: However, I would suggest to any newbies to also snatch up Adrian Belew's "Desire Caught by the Tail" as a companion piece. It's my favorite Belew solo effort. Don't forget the Bears, either. Terrific! As far as Belew's solos go, I'd plump either for 'Lone Rhino' or 'Twang Bar King' (I believe these are fairly contemporary to 'Discipline' & 'Beat'). 'Desire...' is also a damned fine album, though.

The Bears and the Belew solo stuff are indeed excellent. 

I met up with a guy called Ross Rice recently who used to be the singer/writer for a Memphis based band called 'Human Radio' who has worked with Belew and he says that Adrian was an astoundingly talented guy who had a real heart. It was his belief that Belew is the perfect foil for Fripp in that the two balance each other's talents and temperaments. Ross saw the two talking and felt that there was a genuine affection between Belew & Fripp that went beyond the music. In short, they were friends.

Brings a tear to my eye.... 

Well, my favorite KC's album is IN THE COURT, but it doesen't mean that I'm less fond of post-Red Crimson :-)

At 1^st I also was surprised that 81 and other albums were absolutely not similar to ITCOTKC or Lizard or Red. I was disappointed. But after I’ve got THRaK, I’ve got into all those 80s albums too! The “Skeleton” of the band (Fripp) has remained the same, only the “Surface” was changed! 

I also need to admit the definite influence of Brian Eno (and even maybe of Talking Heads!) to KC of 80s. But anyway they always were original and clever Prog-Grands as they are! At least they practically has avoided of that generic "all-things-occupied" sound of 80s...

Hasn't somebody listened KC’s ProjeKCts and TraKaTTaK, BTW?

i like disipline more then i like in the court. the first debut sound lanky

Cesar Inca wrote:   4 1/2 stars for 'Discipline'; 4 stars for 'Three of a Perfect Pair'; 3 stars for 'Beat'. Regards.

I think that's a fair summation .

Being subjective however I love 'em all to bits.

Blacksword wrote: Of all the KC I've heard, which is not everything by means, my favourite album will always be RED. It is a truly visionary album, laying down the blueprints for the grunge scene that emerged many years later, albeit played alot better!!! Kurt Cobain thought it was the best album ever and you can hear the influence on tracks like 'Fallen Angel' and 'Red' Sorry sigod, I'm digressing badly from your 80's KC theme..

 Digression is half the fun.

3 great, classic, 4-5 star albums, IMO.

I like 'em all. Sue me.

Check out the Neal And Jack And Me DVD for this version of the band in a live setting (two live settings actually) getting down.

My favorite King Crimson. Adrian Belew is so amazing. I would be satisfied if this was all the King Crimson I owned.

I like Discipline a lot - it's got a great sound, and the execution is devastatingly precise - to me it doesn't sound like a 1980's album at all; The first time I heard Spock's Beard (a track called "Gibberish" - not sure which album it's on), I thought "Hello, they've nicked that sound from Discipline".

It has a peculiar, angular drive to it that keeps me listening - although it's not really a regular visitor to my turntable. One of those "Fine wine" albums that you revisit every once in a while just to enjoy the taste.

"The more I look at it - the more I like it!"

 

Sadly I haven't managed to track down the other two in any local vinyl shops.

Edited by Certif1ed