DISCIPLINE

Be forewarned: if you're expecting the earlier so-called symphonic KC sound, you WILL be disappointed. But that's the real problem, isn't it? How some will EXPECT this or that from an artist and discard anything that doesn't fit their preconceived ideas. How progressive is that kind of listener? Not very!

Instead, open your mind and prepare yourself for an avalanche of staccato arpeggios and mind-twisting poly rhythms from Fripp, Levin and Bruford. Tully mind blowing and progressive music in every sense of the word. Adrian Belew was the perfect recruit for this project as he adds the needed vocal twists and surprises lacking in much of the prog of yore.

If there is one knock against this recording it would probably be that the ideas are not completely original. I must admit that the commonalities between this King Crimson recording and the Talking Heads' Remain in Light are uncanny. The fact that Discipline came out one year after Remain in Light and Adrian Belew appears on both recordings will be used by some as the ultimate proof that this KC effort is no more than a copy cat job. I could see how that could be used by some listeners/reviewers as fuel for dismissing this recording. However, I'm not of that mindset. Discipline is an excellent recording that stands on its own without needing to be compared to anyone else's work.

Can Fripp not be influenced by other artists? Can Fripp only be the one influencing and not be influenced himself? Specially by an artist as progressive as David Byrne? It's silly to think that Robert Fripp lives in a void and fights all trends and fads. He obviously was highly entertained by what the TH were doing and respected David Byrne enough to take his ideas and apply them to his own creations. Anything wrong with that? Not in my book.

If there are any similar ties between Remain in Light and Discipline then that's not a bad thing, since the former is widely regarded as a masterpiece and happens to be one of my favorite records of all-time. Of course, for those that don't like the TH any similarities are a negative. Part of the problem is that Fripp raised the bar so high and was synonymous with inventiveness and originality for such a long time that any attempt to make music similar to some other artist's work is considered tasteless. I can't agree, though.

With Discipline I see Fripp trying to FURTHER what the Talking Heads did and he MOST certainly pulled it off. Discipline is truly a progressive masterpiece that should be listened to without any preconceived ideas of what KC should be. King Crimson has been Robert Fripp's vehicle for expression for decades and his free-form compositions are the essence of what progressive music should be about: different, challenging and always on the cutting edge. The element that stands out the most on Discipline are the poly rhythms. The listener will be treated to some of THE MOST complex and challenging counterpoint this side of the Baroque composers. This album should appeal to those who do not favor, or demand, the traditional flavors of prog(ie. symphonic, folk etc). If your listening diet includes so-called world music with poly rhythmic structures then Discipline should be high on your list of 'CDs to get'.