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Post by banfield on Sept 15, 2005 20:23:22 GMT
Anyone into this record? I'm impressed that Robert Fripp could write a song as heavy as "Level 5" at 57 years old. Things heat up pretty good at the 5:40 mark of "Elektrik".
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asristir
You Drink a Lot of Coffee For a Teenager
Xiao Xiao
Posts: 138
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Post by asristir on Sept 16, 2005 7:13:27 GMT
Seriously! Power to Believe is excellent! Have you seen this stuff played live? They make it look easy! Level 5 in particular is played world-shaking loud. Completely amazing! The album previous to PTB, ConstruKction of Light, is also killer stuff. The title song has a weird bass/stick riff and the incredible interlocking guitar lines (one playing just behind the other to create a delay effect) are the epitome of dark but beautiful. But the crown of the album is definitely the revision of Fracture titled "FraKctured". Listen to that guitar work. Faster than a jimmy page solo, and that's just the rhythm guitar.... just mind blowing. King Crimson are just AWESOME on record, and even better live. First saw them when they opened for Tool, and then went out every time they got near the bay area. The composition! The improv! The heaviness and beauty and technical mastery! Whoops. Kinda lost control. Whew. Seriously, anyone who hasn't heard this band in any of its incarnations needs to check 'em out!
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asristir
You Drink a Lot of Coffee For a Teenager
Xiao Xiao
Posts: 138
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Post by asristir on Sept 16, 2005 7:27:07 GMT
One more thing. One of my favorite things about the song Level 5 is the meaning behind the title. According to Fripp it refers to the point at which we lose control or even sight of the repercussions to our actions. Like this: Level 1: I fill up my gas tank at Shell. Level 2: Shell is up 20 dollars. Level 3: Shell annual earnings up X percent. Level 4: Demand for gas goes up, price goes up. Level 5: Shell donates X amount of money to republican presidential candidate. Level 6: President sends troops to oil producing areas and nations to secure oil for high gas demand. Etc. Another group famed for having multiple layers beyond the music is the Secret Chiefs 3. Heavy in concept and sound. Okay, I'll shut up now.
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Post by Dick Suffers on Sept 16, 2005 18:54:14 GMT
Fripp is on tour right now, incidentally. Playing Pittsburgh on October 6 at the Rex.
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dedos
First Hits
Posts: 16
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Post by dedos on Oct 12, 2005 18:37:58 GMT
what an album! the dvd of the same name is incredible aswell. buy it if you find it. also well worth checking out is 'construction of light', 'disciplin' and 'red'.
..*
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Post by cliff on Oct 17, 2005 22:37:59 GMT
After not being much of a fan of King Crimson for a span, I have at least grown to appreciate the music and the musicianship. It is essential, urgent, and truly unique.
I own Red, and find myself putting the cd in occasionally. It's good stuff. I guess I would call Red one of the essential King Crimson albums? Although I am in no way familiar with their entire catalouge.
The Power to Believe, while somewhat similar to Red... takes you down a different path quite often. Softer at times... and on the same token, heavier at times. Level 5 is menacing and intense. Elektrik is really really good... taking you up up up, then halfway through just dropping you off and starting all over. Only to pick you up again and finish things right this time. Probably the highlights of the album? As I have not fully digested it yet.
So after Red... and then The Power to Believe... where is one to go after this? Any suggestions?
By the way... thanks to Banfield. As I probably wouldn't have really given King Crimson much of a listen if you hadn't posted about them on a few occasions.
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asristir
You Drink a Lot of Coffee For a Teenager
Xiao Xiao
Posts: 138
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Post by asristir on Oct 18, 2005 8:40:56 GMT
Personally, I recommend the "Level 5" e.p. for the live versions of Dangerous Curves and Level 5, and the early rendition of Power... called Virtuous Circle. INSANE awesome heavy stuff! Seeing them live at this point was a total eye-opener. "Larks Tongues In Aspic", "Starless and Bible Black", "Discipline", and "ConstruKction of Light", and the first and second albums are my favorites. Following is a KC history to help you decide where to go.... King Crimson is generally considered to have had 4 phases throughout its career. 1st: The 70's 'Classic' phase, beginning with the much-lauded first album "Court of the Crimson King", and ending with the equally-lauded "Red". Those two albums are generally considered the highlights of this phase, along with "Larks Tongues In Aspic". The other albums of this period are a mix of stone classics and 'utter tosh'. "Poseidon" and "Starless" are probably the second best of this era. Many folks consider "Lizard" and "Islands" to be the worst albums Crimson ever recorded. 2nd: The 80's phase. Repetitive rhythms, ever-changing notes, Adrian Belew's weirdo guitar sounds. "Discipline" is the favorite album of this era... mainly because the following two albums, 'Beat' and "Three.. Perfect Pair" are largely considered rewrites of it. Les Claypool fans may recognize Thela Hun Ginjeet from the Flying Frog concerts. 3rd "Double Trio" phase: "Thrak" is the only album from this group. Best described as a transitional period from the 80's to the 90's. Or perhaps, "mind bending awesome"? Everything released after Thrak from 95-98 was 'improvising Crimson' (such as "Thrakattak") or live albums like "B'boom" and "Vroom Vroom". 4th 'late 90's' phase: Heavy heavy metal and the intricate interlocking dual guitar melodies define this King Crimson. "ConstruKction of Light" and "Power to Believe" are the key albums. The live "Level 5" e.p. is also stand-out material. ..... blah blah... Hope that helps. Also check out elephant-talk.com.
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Post by cliff on Oct 18, 2005 17:39:07 GMT
Thanks a bunch man... that really narrows it down for me. I learned alot!~
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Post by banfield on Oct 18, 2005 20:56:22 GMT
where is one to go after this? Any suggestions? Cliff, I'd go for Discipline next.
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Post by cliff on Oct 18, 2005 21:38:03 GMT
word!
i'm there
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Post by cliff on Oct 18, 2005 21:49:05 GMT
King Crimson have so much material out there.... it's truly ridiculous!
I would love to see a complete discography!
Well, I'm doubt anyone could list or find ALL of their realeses/works. But probably most of them anyways.
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asristir
You Drink a Lot of Coffee For a Teenager
Xiao Xiao
Posts: 138
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Post by asristir on Oct 19, 2005 21:31:53 GMT
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Post by miser42 on Nov 21, 2005 23:31:00 GMT
i'm actually a huge fan of both Islands and Lizard.....the 80s albums hold very little for me and the newest 3 studios 'thrak', 'construKtion of light' and 'power' are just a hair better with some obvious standout songs.
my personal fave era is the original 4 years....'court','in the wake of poseidon', 'lizard' and 'islands' as much as i love 'red' im not real big on the first two wetton era lps. very little substance and too much filler for my tastes.
a better rundown:
'in the court of the crimson king' 'in the wake of poseidon'
-nearly identical in title, layout and song structure...in fact i was told that 'in the wake' was the first album to be officially called the 'softmore slump' not sure if that is true or not but.... both these albums relate nearly song by song with each other. these albums ushered what is now known as the progressive rock era. the drumming is top notch. the use of the mellotron is nearly tear inducing at some points.
'islands'
the oft maligned jazz record. this album goes for more of a jazz feel and adds classical music elements; most notably during the 'song of the gulls' intro the amazing title track. try listening to the opening suite 'formentera lady' and 'sailors tale' in your car, late at night driving through the most desolate and unpopulated area you can find....and tell me you aren't creeped out.
it seems insignificant to mention this but the bassist/vocalist on this record went on to form Bad Company.
'lizard'
more eccentric and quirky than any other release from the crims. opening track 'cirkus' is a crim classic. lots of mellotron and an incredible array of guitar work throughout. this album is also notable for jon andersons appearance on the final part of the title track.
ok i rambled long enough....if i have time i continue with the wetton era tonight.
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Rocco
You Drink a Lot of Coffee For a Teenager
Posts: 157
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Post by Rocco on Nov 23, 2005 6:47:56 GMT
I like King Crimson.
I saw them open for Tool a few years ago at Red Rocks.
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Post by cliff on Nov 23, 2005 17:58:52 GMT
Ok... so this is the deal...
I'm am now obsessed with The Power to Believe. I listen to it daily, and I don't know how this album could be topped by any other KC record ever put out!
I still like Red alot. Great album!
I gave Discipline a few tries... I really didn't dig it all that much.
I really prefer the more recent, polished, heavier stuff I think. It just sounds like the band has matured into their greatest incarnation yet! To me, it only got better through time... from what I've heard at least.
I think I might dig into the Construkction of Light next.
Any suggestions?
By the way... thanks again Banfield for the initial comments and exposure to KC. Great music!
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