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King Crimson - Discipline CD (album) cover

DISCIPLINE

King Crimson

 

Eclectic Prog

4.14 | 2264 ratings

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memowakeman
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator
4 stars King Crimson - Discipline

This was the beginning of a new era, after symphonic and jazzy sound of "In the Court of the Crimson King", and after the powerful Wetton era with some masterpieces like "Red" or "Larks Tongues in Aspic", King Crimson in 1981 had a great change , a new line up ( again), but this was not only a change in line up, but a dramatic change musically talking, Adrian Belew was the new singer and guitarist, Tony Levin took the place of Wetton as a bassist, while Bill Bruford and Robert Fripp stayed with the band.

1981 was a year which made the beginning of a new era and style of King Crimson, "Discipline" was the guinea pig, this is the first of an 80`s trilogy, and for me the best of them. A guitar oriented sound, Adrian Belew has too his unique and special style to play guitar, and maybe he hasn't got the best voice, but its quite good, and Tony Levin who worded with Peter Gabriel before joining King Crimson, is one of my favourite bass players, he and his bass makes a perfect couple, also he is well - known for playing stick, maybe he is the best stick player around, and that particular sound of Levin skill made another great point of this change.

"Elephant Talk" is the first song, when I saw a video of them playing this song, I was amazed because I couldn't believe the sound and how the hell can you play that intro, this is the first appearance of Mr. Levin stick, it is a great song, short song compared for example with Starless and 21st century for example, and much more guitar oriented, this is a clear example of how the album is. "Frame by Frame" is another super guitar oriented song, Robert Fripp and Adrian Belew with both guitars playing fast chords at the same time, but each one in different time and tempo, which makes a great sound, I love this song, in fact I can play it in guitar, but it would sound better if another friend learn it. "Matte Kudasai", is a beautiful song, it has some strange sounds, like if you are hearing the winda nice diluted sound of guitars, it is a nice song to enjoy and maybe to rest, also the lyrics are good. Indiscipline is probably the weirdest song, it so complicated because all the members are playing at the same time, but each one for his own side, drums here, bass there, but always gather to make an special and unique sound, it stars so soft, with a slow sound of instruments and soft vocals, suddenly all became crazy and play louder and louder, it is amazing. "Thela Hun Ginjeet" is another great guitar oriented song, I don't really know what the title of the track means, but anyway, it has good sound with vocals between great drumming, it looks like if Adrian Belew was talking to you. "The Sheltering Sky" Is an instrumental song, it is really good because in the most of KC albums they have done at least one instrumental song or if not great instrumental passages, this song is absolutely beautiful, it has the sound of congas and a particular sound, I don't know, but it sounds like If you were blowing a leaf, while a nice guitar is sounding, and also this is the largest song, great song to enjoy. "Discipline" is the last song, another instrumental song, but it has a powerful guitar oriented sound, I love the bass here , but guitars takes the show here, it sounds like if five guitars were playing at the same time, it is really amazing.

So after all, I like much more Wetton`s era , and what if he could stayed in the band, maybe another masterpiece we don't know, but with Discipline they marked a completely and great new sound, I really love this album, it was promising for that time, but the next 2 albums are not as good as this. Discipline is highly recommended to all of you, I'm going to give it 4 stars. Great! Excellent addition to any prog lover.

memowakeman | 4/5 |

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