BEAT

Those who give themselves over to the experience of 'Beat' will find it to be a somewhat more subtle offering than its predecessor 'Discipline' - its rewards take a little more eking out before they start. But oh boy, once they start, you are caught! This album captures best the visceral, urgent and altogether seductive aspects of 80's King Crimson presented as usual with mind-blowing musical virtuosity.

Although some feel this album is verging too close to 'pop', I would argue that including some more melodic tracks with what at first would appear to be 'simpler' lyrics does not mean this is simply a 'pop' album - I find it to be mature King Crimson working at their best, the whole greater than the sum of the not insubstantial parts. This is 80's electro-prog at its best: gritty, inventive, at times incessant - demanding your attention and not disappointing your listening efforts.

Belew's singing voice is in particularly fine form, and on tracks like 'Neal and Jack and Me' and the intimate 'Two Hands' he shows what a flexible and powerful instrument it can be. Particular plaudits too to Bruford, who again excels himself with consistently creative, (r)evolutionary drumming and percussion, as on the track 'Neurotica'.

In summary then, although certainly providing a different take on Prog than the 70's (and 90's) incarnations of Crimson, the 80's albums - 'Beat' in particular - are a high quality and rewarding chapter in the King Crimson story. Particularly for people who like a good Brufing.*

* see my 'UK' - 'UK' review for the requisite definition.