BEAT

Unfortunately I'm of a minority group which stands by this release of the 80's model King Crimson. Surely it would be quite difficult to better 'Discipline' in this version of the Crimson King, but the album itself (Beat) is full of inspired and innovative arrangements. The musicianship is TOP NOTCH and mega-complex, and the tracks themselves are fully exciting. Yes, they tried their take on commercial music, ('Heartbeat', and perhaps 'Two Hands') but they are enjoyable tracks never-the-less and full of atmosphere which is a lot deeper than any 'stock-standard' pop group. With this album, we have incredible pieces of music like ; 'Sartori in Tangier', which is a dynamic instrumental, the manic 'Neurotica', which rivals 'Indiscipline' off 'Discipline', complete which totally insane verses and catchy chorus (actually, the track 'Dig Me', from the forthcoming album comes to mind regarding this schizophrenic structure) and surely must be something unique and truly progressive, regardless of electronic drumming - it's Bruford, for crying out loud !!! Tony Levin's Stick work is still the best in the business....

'Neal and Jack and Me' is a very credible rocker and great choice for opening track, 'The Howler' is pretty good, and 'Waiting Man' is an interesting track, but maybe the weakest track (if there really is one) on the album, and, finally, what I consider a totally outrageous 'Rock In Opposition' (or 'Avant-Garde') composition, 'Requiem', which presents a slow building track with almost ambient startings, slow build to a cacophonous climax with shredding guitar work and intense off-beat jamming, finally chilling out with the calming ambience it began with, possibly an 'instant composition', recalling their improvisatory roots from the early days. A 4 * album without question.