THREE OF A PERFECT PAIR

I have to give KING CRIMSON credit for not doing another "Beat" record. I thought they did do that after the first 4 songs but the rest of the album consists of a lot of good experimental, instrumental music. I was very impressed to hear they didn't continue further down that poppy eighties road like so many of their contemperaries did. It would be over ten years before they would release another studio record after this one. In hindsight that was probably a good move.

"Three Of A Perfect Pair' is a great opening track, with Fripp's guitar melodies throughout and light drums. "Model Man" is pretty good, this one is all about Belew's vocals. "Sleepless" is a very enjoyable song. I really like the vocals and the drumming of Bruford is omnipresent. The guitar melodies come and go.This is the song where Levin's bass work shines the most. "Man With An Open Heart" is the one I dislike the most. All I can think about is the TALKING HEADS.

"Nuages (that which passes, passes like clouds)" is where it starts to get experimental sounding with slow paced guitar and percussion. "Industry" is similar to the previous song except there are instrumental outbursts throughout. This song slowly builds. "Dig Me" is still experimental sounding but this time there are vocals. Some strange guitar sounds and odd metered drumming are contrasted with the "normal" vocal and drum melody. "No Warning" is more of the same instrumentally. "Larks' Tongues In Aspic Part III" isn't as good as parts one and two but I still like it a lot. The angular guitar melodies and great drumming make this a good one.

I rate this one at 3.5 stars, a half star better than "Beat" and worth checking out.