LET THE POWER FALL

After few years past the Fripp & Eno collaborations and disbanding of King Crimson, Robert had worked out larger questions troubling him. If I remember correctly, I red him devoting to teachings based on George Gurdjieff's methods. Return to music business happened slowly, and in addition of being a background supporter for some artists, his solo works started appearing in 1979. This third solo album of his relies completely to frippertonic-minimalism, set on a scheme of humanity's "spiritual drive" on forthcoming years, these being presented as solitary tracks of guitar-looping aural tapestries. I personally felt his "small, mobile and intelligent unit" for music creation worked out better when united with Brian Eno's synthesizers and mutual collaboration. On the other hand, if one wishes to analyze Robert's playing, this might be a good record to listen, as his guitar's non-synthesized sound is easier to recognize here. Also the idea of his own way of performing without the band is however interesting, and these recordings document the transition of these ideas to actions. This record could possibly be seen ideological both in the way it is performed and also from content, as I fear the predicted / wished collective drive on 1980's maybe did not occur. My misunderstandings can be cleared by reading Robert's essays accompanying the album, sharing his views how world and people actually should run. If looking now forward, I believe the musical seed of this 1970's technique loop-system developed further on 1990's evolved to more cinematopic, denser and protean qualities with 1990's digital technologies. Also about prophecies and divine contemplations, "it is easy to be wise after the event" ? I believe all ponderings around vague concept of Truth all necessary, not because they would be right or wrong but part of humanity's vivid progress in the chaotic world. If this approach should not open, maybe one gin & frippertonic with lemon and ice might help.