STARLESS AND BIBLE BLACK

This album is often considered to be slightly weaker than LTIA and RED. I agree with this assessment as it is an album with a rawer edge, with tunes completely different from each other. The new hard-rocking side of King Crimson is even more developed than on LTIA with songs like THE GREAT DECEIVER or LAMENT and powerful vocals of mr Wetton. (cigarettes-ice cream, anyone?) On the other side, the band is starting to play experimental or improv. tunes that are not always easy to get into like the title track or'' we'll let you know''. K. Crimson was definitely not trying to have a ''hit'' with this album. They play what they wanted to play, not looking behind. I always was wondering what the marketing manager of the recording company could come up with to promote them. But as long as they were selling a lot of records....!

The only link to the past is this time the beautiful ''The Night Watch'' with a great violin intro. David Cross can be heard again with the sad sound of his instument in the magnificent little instrumental ''Trio''; such a beauty.

Jamie Muir is no longer on this album, but the rest of the band is the same than on LTIA. That's a first with King Crimson to keep the same musicians 2 albums in a row; will even be a third even if David Cross role will be reduced as a ''guest'' on RED.

The opus on this album is evidently the 11ms instrumental ''Fracture'' that is still to this day one of my 10 all time favorite pieces of music. Such power! no other prog band would ever sound so powerful IMO, than Crimson on such tracks. ''Fracture'' has everything that a prog fan wants; there is not one dull second on it. Such creativity and strength.

Not the best of the Wetton era, but still some amazing music, no one else could have come up with. Could have been 3.5 stars, but because of ''Fracture'' will be 4 stars.

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