STARLESS AND BIBLE BLACK

There are shorter songs on this album, but don't let 'em fool you. It works as suite-like pieces and just 3 tracks have lyrics of any kind. The Great Deceiver has nonsensical lyrics based on some sight-seeing while on tour in Italy and musically it's one of their most impressive rockers. Lament is a highly complex piece that starts as a ballad and ends up in some great frenzy. We'll Let You Know is a short, funky instrumental based on Bill Bruford's great drumming skills and Fripp's wailing guitar. The Nightwatch is the ballad here, complete with a lovely little melody in the chorus. It's about a Rembrandt painting. Trio is a quiet instrumental led by violin and The Mincer kinda announces the 2 lengthy instrumentals that follow by being very spooky. The 2 instrumentals, the title track and Fracture, are kinda hard to explain and have to be listened to to get a grip on it. There's a lot of tension- building going on in both and where the title track turns into a kind of groove, Fracture just gets louder and louder and builds up to some impressive riffage. Crimson-fans should get this album right away, it's superb!