Progarchives, the progressive rock ultimate discography
King Crimson - THRAK CD (album) cover

THRAK

King Crimson

 

Eclectic Prog

3.68 | 1290 ratings

From Progarchives.com, the ultimate progressive rock music website

UMUR
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator
3 stars THRAK is the eleventh studio album from King Crimson and the first album since 1984 Three of perfect Pair. Thatīs a hiatus of eleven years ( not counting the EP from 1994 called Vrooom). Iīm sure many fans thought that they would never hear anything from King Crimson again, but then THRAK was released.

Much had happened with the world of music in those eleven years and the music on THRAK doesnīt sound like the eighties albums from King Crimson even though there are elements on the album that does remind me of the three albums from the beginning of the eighties ( Discipline, Beat and Three of a Perfect Pair). The twin guitar interplay from Adrian Belew and Robert Fripp is intact but the sound is a bit more full and warm compared to the albums from the eighties. A typical nineties feature. Grunge and other nineties contemporary rock genres are also a part of the sound on THRAK. Donīt get me wrong here though, this is still unmistakably a King Crimson album.

In addition to Robert Fripp, Adrian Belew, Bill Bruford and Tony Levin, who all played on the previous album from King Crimson, two new faces have been added to the lineup. Trey Gunn on Chapman stick and Pat Mastelotto on acoustic & electronic percussion. The addition of two more musicians to the lineup is a big reason for the new more full sound on THRAK.

There are some really good songs on THRAK and the four opening songs Vrooom, Coda: Marine, Dinosaur and Walking on Air sets the standard. Great melodic yet challenging songs. Other notable songs are People and THRAK, but most songs are pretty good allthough a bit mediocre at times.

The musicianship is excellent but as usual thatīs no surprise with musicians like these.

The production is full and warm. A typical nineties production.

THRAK was actually my introduction to King Crimson and at the time I didnīt know that they were an influential progressive rock band that had made lots of albums before this one ( Of course it didnīt take me long to purchase the rest of their discography. Iīm a completist to the bone). I found THRAK to be an odd rock album and I enjoyed it partially. That hasnīt changed much since then and THRAK is still an album I only enjoy partially. Maybe itīs just a bit too long, because I keep losing focus while listening to the album. Itīs still a good album even though it does overstay its welcome a bit and it deserves a 3 star rating from me. Itīs one of the last studio albums I would purchase from the band though.

UMUR | 3/5 |

MEMBERS LOGIN ZONE

As a registered member (register here if not), you can post rating/reviews (& edit later), comments reviews and submit new albums.

You are not logged, please complete authentication before continuing (use forum credentials).

Forum user
Forum password

Share this KING CRIMSON review

Social review comments () BETA







Review related links

Copyright Prog Archives, All rights reserved. | Legal Notice | Privacy Policy | Advertise | RSS + syndications

Other sites in the MAC network: JazzMusicArchives.com — jazz music reviews and archives | MetalMusicArchives.com — metal music reviews and archives

Donate monthly and keep PA fast-loading and ad-free forever.