JAKSZYK, FRIPP AND COLLINS: A SCARCITY OF MIRACLES

Robert Fripp's idea since the 1980s seems to have been to marry the King Crimson essence with the modern sound of the times. In the 80s this was American-style new wave, in the 90s and early 2000s this was alternative metal, and on this album Fripp for some reason seems determined to tackle the most lethargic variation of so-called "whine rock". The compositions are unbearably dreary and banal, and the singing and instrumental performances are at best unremarkable. Mel Collins's saxophone playing is a welcome distraction at first but soon gets repetitive and irritating. As far as I'm concerned this ProjeKct bears no resemblance to anything King Crimson. Of course I can't say that this isn't King Crimson because there's only one person in the world who can make that judgement, but I will say that this is easily the least interesting direction Fripp has ever steered the band in, and I'm grateful he never wasted his time trying to make anything else in this style.