BEAT

After reading a few reviews that this album had accumulated over the years it really made me wonder if anyone would actually care about this release if it wasn't under the King Crimson moniker? Since I've never been a hardcore fan of any band in particular, it makes me more critical of everything that I hear even from artists that have had solid streaks of albums in the past. This is definitely the case where my love for King Crimson's previous efforts didn't get the best of me and I managed to expose Beat for exactly what it is - a shameless stab at the mainstream market of its time.

Not only is this King Crimson's weakest studio release to date, but it also manages to feature their all-time worst composition. I rarely use the 1-star song ratings since there are very few songs that I sincerely hate. Unfortunately the song that I can't bare to call by name is such an occurrence. The first time I've heard the record I became slightly alarmed after hearing Neal And Jack And Me, but this second track made it all much clearer. There's just nothing rewarding about this experience and unless you want to see your idols crash and burn then stay away from this song. While you're at it, make sure to do the same with this entire album.

Most of the material here wouldn't even make it as bonus material on Discipline since the style is much more simplistic and lacks anything worth a while for fans of King Crimson. Bill Bruford's indulgence into the world of electronic drumming really make the record sound dated but he's not the only one who should take the blame for the failure of this release. It's clear that Robert Fripp had to be in on the whole shift of direction and, judging from the interviews that were conducted with him at the time, he clearly was! It's painfully obvious that the band was not thinking outside of the box since this is nothing more than a product of its time with an added touch of finesse. But that finesse comes from the fact that great instrumentalists waste their time with material that is clearly below them.

If you've never heard this album then hopefully my rating will make you see that this is not an album you should spend your hard earned money on. Beat is a mess of an album that should be best forgotten even by the fans of the band since it was a misstep that even the members themselves would try to avoid in their future.

**** star songs: Sartori In Tangier (4:22) Neurotica (4:47)

*** star songs: Neal And Jack And Me (4:21) Waiting Man (4:22) Two Hands (3:22) Requiem (6:30)

** star songs: The Howler (4:10)

* star songs: Heartbeat (3:54)