THRAK

I thought it about time I reviewed this album as I've been enjoying it a lot! This manifestation of King Crimson sounds very fresh and Thrak has barely aged since its release in 1995. This sounds like a young band, still progressing, learning, experimenting and trying something new. Thrak is a brash and heavy album. Fripps guitar sound is hard and grinding but not grungy and 'blurred' The album opens with VROOM a heavy instrumental , perhaps reminiscent of Red era KC in some ways, which slides perfectly into Coda Marine, which is mostly instrumental apart from some vaguely sinister hushed voices in the background competing with the wonderful Crimson chaos. Dinosaur is one of my favourite KC songs from any era. Another rocker with a fine vocal performance from Adrian Belew, where he muses on days gone by and mistakes he's made. Each chorus is 'screamed' with every increasing intensity "I'm a dinosaur, somebody is digging my bones!" The listener is given a short space to breath where the metal mayhem gives way to some softer sounds and mellotron strains before the final chorus. Other hi-lights for me include Walking on Air, a pleasant ballad presenting a well placed contrast to the albums overall general hard rock (but certainly progressive) feel. Bboom is a great and entertaining show off session for Mr Brufords talents, and People is very much a radio friendly offering with a catchy chorus, and some wonderful funky back beats and bass playing. Thrak is a fine collection of progressive rock songs, which worked at the time alongside all the mainstream music of the day and still works ? in some ways better ? today, and it certainly stands proud alongside the bands best KC albums from the 70's.