STARLESS AND BIBLE BLACK

Starless and Bible Black is one of the early entries into the huge repertoire of King Crimson before the huge lineup changes and sound transformation. I had heard from others how great this CD is so eagerly made the purchase. I was slightly disappointed.

It starts off well enough, 'The great deceiver', with the patented familiar Crimson sound, intricate time signatures and complex drum patterns abound mixed with shades of light and dark instrumental genius. But it all begins to pale out to shades of grey by the third track. The album is inconsistent, with moments of brilliance and mediocrity throughout. The mediocre moments, such as 'Trio' and the title track, are extremely dull and this hinders the overall effect. The tracks are over long and very difficult to listen to at times. I do like a lot of jazz fusion but there is little to inspire my tastes on this effort. The noodling and messing about of 'The Mincer' is woeful and 'We'll let you Know' is insipid - unlistenable experimental efforts - the worst jazz fusion I have heard.

The shining lights are naturally a complete contrast to all the mundane music within. The dreary over long instrumental pieces descend to the depths of the worst the band have played. Very experimental but very irritating too - tuneless little gasps of air without substance. However "Starless and Bible Black" is saved by the incredible tracks 'Great Deceiver', 'Night Watch' and the wonderful 'Fracture'.

So its not a complete waste, it is definitely better than "Islands", but its a pity such a great band could sink to these depths and I was told this was a classic, but that simply is not true. It is tiring at times and never holds up against the brilliant work of the first 3 albums or "Red" which are all quintessential King Crimson classics.

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