DISCIPLINE

Part of the story of King Crimson shows us that they had several musical changes that occurred inside the band all over the years, and Robert Fripp is the only element that never quit the band. He is undoubtedly one of the most respected musicians of the universe of progressive rock. However, Fripp always said that he never was the group's leader, but the consistency of the path followed by the band and the rotation of its members, has shown otherwise.

It was in that context that appeared "Discipline". "Discipline" is the eighth studio album of King Crimson and was released in 1981. It's King Crimson's first album following a seven years hiatus, after the release of their previous seventh studio album "Red". After the release of "Red", Fripp disbanded the group in 1974. At the time, he had no intention of reforming King Crimson. However, when he decided to return to the music, his first step was to contact Bill Bruford and ask him if he was interested to join with him on a new band called Discipline. Only latter, Fripp decided that "Discipline" would be the name of their new studio album to be released with the old traditional name of the band.

The line up on the album is Robert Fripp (electric guitar and devices), Adrian Belew (lead vocals and guitar), Tony Levin (backing vocals, bass guitar and Chapman stick) and Bill Bruford (drums and percussion). So, only their founder member Robert Fripp and the latter addition of Bill Bruford remained in the band from their various incarnations.

"Discipline" has seven tracks. All songs were written by all band's members. The first track "Elephant Talk" shows clearly that the 70's sound of the group has gone. The four players twisted and turn their way through an unbelievably complicated and yet somehow almost danceable. Fripp and Belew guitar works are excellent making a very powerful force, showing a great chemistry between them both. This is a perfect opener to the album. The second track "Frame By Frame" was the single from "Discipline" and continues the story of the previous track and represents another great musical moment. It's a more subtle work with amazing band instrumental passages and tasteful guitar duets. Fripp's own performance of extremely fast and repetitious guitar work, is simply amazing, and Bruford's drum work which ranks among the best of his career. The third track "Matte Kudasai" is a totally different song, a very beautiful and nostalgic song. The instrumental backing here doesn't go off into virtuoso standards of the two previous songs, but contains itself a great mood to the song. This track also features the best vocals on the album and proves that Belew is a fine singer too. The fourth track "Indiscipline" takes things in a very different direction. It's the most progressive track on the album, with Fripp leading the band through incredible dark instrumental passages that reminds us the good old King Crimson's days. It's the most difficult track on the album where everyone gets a chance to shine, pushing even more for the quality of the band. The fifth track "Thela Hun Ginjeet" is an anagram for "Heat In The Jungle". It's a rather curious and strange song, to say, at the least, the most erratic song on the album but it doesn't disappoint. It's funky, spaced out and weirdly fun, but it still has a strict King Crimson's very own personality, and a true notable bass line and an incredible drum work. The sixth track "The Sheltering Sky" is probably the most subtle beautiful piece of music that King Crimson has ever made. Sometimes it's described, as the showcase piece on the album. It begins with a quiet percussive line that gradually developing through various subtle arrangements and finally returning to the percussive line on which it began. The seventh and last track is the title track "Discipline". It's a summation of all that has come before. It closes the album with a statement of controlled expressivity, using the skills of all group's members to create a successful whole. I particularly like the way how Fripp and Belew's guitars weave through each other, creating order out of controlled chaos. It proves the profound chemistry between two of the most thought provoking guitarists ever.

Conclusion: I know this album since it was released and it amazed me when I listen to it for the first time. It's hardly recognizable as a King Crimson's album because it practically has nothing in common to the usual sound of the band that we were used to. King Crimson made a vital progression with this album, instead of keeping with the same sound like so many of their progressive rock contemporaries. "Discipline" has many elements of the new wave movement combined with the progressive rock music. Fripp's guitar lines have never been so refreshing when combined perfectly with Bellew's futuristic guitar style. To complete the picture we have the bass/chapman stick by the wizard Levin, the Bruford's expansive drum solo and Belew's vocals sounding like David Byrne of Talking Heads. "Discipline" is one of the best King Crimson's albums, despite "In The Court Of The Crimson King" be their most influential and sentimental album and "Red" be a very special album because it represents an influential album for the prog metal style. Even though this isn't King Crimson's ultimate album, all people with an open mind will embrace this masterpiece of the 80's.

Prog is my Ferrari. Jem Godfrey (Frost*)

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