THRAK

What a load of thrak this album is...and I don't mean that in the complimentary sense.

I have learned long ago that just because an album has the King Crimson name on it does necessarily make it good. That's why I didn't expect too much from Thrak, and I also didn't get much in return. First of all, I have two major questions. First, did it really take six guys to create this album? It sounds pretty simplistic and not very full (which for me is completely different than being heavy). I know that there is some serious musical talent here, but I really don't hear much virtuosic playing. That leads into my next question: What's so complicated about this music? Most of the songs are in 4/4 time and at relatively slow tempos. Sure, there are some nice guitar fills and heavy basslines, but I really would not use the word "complicated" to describe this music.

Highlights include the opening two tracks (Vroom, Marine 475), the closing two tracks (Vroom Vroom and Coda), and the title track. Here Crimson harness their Larks' Tongue days of raw chaos, and I have to admit that it sounds as bombastic and harsh as they probably intended. Here you can hear (and feel) the power of the double power trio.

Lowlights include the worthless Radio and Inner Garden tracks, as well as some of the vocal numbers. Take Dinosaur for example. I am all for pokes at the recording industry, but you have to write a good song for it to work. The chorus is absolutely dreadful: "I'm a dinosaur...somebody's diggin' my bones", set to a familiar and overused melody.

Overall, their hearts were in the right place: try something different and see what happens. Well, what happened was very uneven and unusual music. I have to give them credit for having the guts to put out this radio-unfriendly music, but I also have to actually like more of the product to give a higher rating. Three stars seems about right. Crimson fans will find enough to enjoy, as will those who are looking for heavy and weird music played by talented musicians. If only they had as much songwriting talent as they have with playing their instruments.