DISCIPLINE

I am at Level 1 going into this one. I know Elephant Talk and Indiscipline fairly well, might have heard some others. This band was originally to be called "Discipline," before deciding to call it King Crimson. That reminds me of another re-formed prog band's experience a few years later. Sometimes I think I enjoy this incarnation of KC better than the original run of lineups from 69-74, but the jury is still out on that. OK, let's hit it!

Track 1 - Elephant Talk

Tony Levin's unique sounding "Stick" starts us off here. After an opening bit, the rhythm becomes downright funky (Funky Bill Bruford?). Belew's vocals remind me of David Byrne on the Talking Heads' "Once in a Lifetime." (Belew, of course, worked with the Talking Heads prior to this.) Is that Fripp creating the elephant sound with his guitar & effects? No shortage of unique sounds on this track.

Track 2 - Frame by Frame

This one begins with a catchy, almost radio-friendly, guitar hook. (Fripp? surely not!) There is a quick rhythm underneath it all. Then we move into 7-8 and sustained vocals. Love the rhythms! I really like this track!

Track 3 - Matte Kudasai

The translation of the Japanese title is "Please Wait." This one almost has a similar feel to Fleetwood Mac's Albatross, or even Sleepwalk by Santo & Johnny. Belew's vocals are wonderful. A very mellow track. Nice slide guitar.

Track 4 - Indiscipline

Crazy rhythms are the name of the game here. This one is based on a letter from Belew's then-wife, about a painting she had made. Do you repeat yourself when under stress? The whole thing is wonderfully weird. I LIKE IT!

Track 5 - Thela Hun Ginjeet

The title is an anagram for "Heat in the Jungle." Odd-metered guitar parts start us off. Bruford and Levin are the glue that hold it together. The vocals are kind of a chant at the beginning. Apparently, the talking on the recording is from a tape Fripp made of Belew giving an account of a walk he took in Notting Hill Gate in London, where he was first harassed by a street gang, then the police. Cool music underneath it all.

Track 6 - The Sheltering Sky

As this begins, I recognize having heard it before. African-style percussion and a rhythm guitar pattern establish the groove for Fripp's highly-effected guitar sounds to play over (or is it a guitar-synth?). A very mellow track.

Track 7 - Discipline

Odd rhythms start us out. The guitar interplay between Fripp & Belew is just wonderful. Of course, Bruford & Levin may be one of the greatest rhythm-sections of all time. The guitar parts are very complex, yet not inaccessible to listen to. Excellent track.

OVERALL IMPRESSIONS

Very different in sound from 60s-70s KC, but not in spirit. I really enjoyed that album. Fripp, of course, is always the central figure in any KC lineup. I just recently read an interview with Bruford where he said something to the effect of, you can play pretty much anything you like in KC, so long as Fripp likes it. This may be a good way to introduce the uninitiated into the World of KC, and then go back. Excellent album 4.5 out of 5 stars (I am saving my 5s).