King Crimson - Discipline. 1981 England

I had a rudimentary collection and understanding of prog rock when I graduated high school in 1983. I had most of the Yes and ELP albums, and I went hard for Tangerine Dream. But I owned little else in this genre until I got to college. I could never understand why Genesis was called a "prog rock" band, until the RM on our dorm floor showed me the way, by introducing me to their first 3 albums starting with Trespass of course. Then one day, while at the dorm mess hall, the local radio station played '21st Century Schizoid Man'. What's that? And another dorm mate on my floor (obviously I was living in the right spot...) schooled me on In the Court of the Crimson King. So no, I didn't know who King Crimson were until 1984, and then I went about getting all I could. Discipline, though, was quite a bit different than the others, which is of course obvious to anyone who knows the band, but I was still learning.

You all know the story: After 7 years of studio dormancy, King Crimson reformed with a completely different lineup - and sound. Most notably new guitarist/vocalist Adrian Belew seems to have had more influence on Robert Fripp than any other. Joining Belew was veteran jazz bassist Tony Levin, making the group half American. And from the past was Fripp and Bill Bruford, both updating their sound to the current 80s standard. What they manage to record is nothing short of extraordinary. It sounded current and progressive, and it was miles away from their last album Red. And it jams too. 'Elephant Talk', 'Frame by Frame', 'Thela Hun Ginjeet', and 'Discipline' all will get the legs bouncing fast. And the band has never been as psychotic as on 'Indiscipline'. In business meetings, I've been known to use the phrase 'I repeat myself when I'm distressed, I repeat myself when I'm distressed, I repeat myself..." (though apparently it's "under stress" ha!) To this day no one has ever caught the reference. They just laugh because they think it's funny. And it is. But I'm waiting that one cultured individual to step up (to the commenter - be serious would ya?). The mellow tracks 'Matte Kudasai' and 'The Sheltering Sky' are quite nice too and provide an excellent contrast. Over the years, this album continues to grow in my book.

Ownership: CD: 2001 Virgin (Europe). Gatefold papersleeve. Booklet contains numerous historical newspaper clippings, which provides a real time perspective (not all positive either). There's one bonus track, but it's just an alternate version of one track and is pretty useless. My first copy was purchased in 1984 used at a record store in Dallas called Collector's. This CD I bought new at Tower Records in Denver upon release ($14.99 it says...). Sold the vinyl not long after. No regrets there, I would keep this CD regardless. Primarily because it's excellent music for long drives, and the packaging is excellent. If I do find the vinyl again in the wilds (and I'm sure I will), I'll just keep it as a supplement. 

1984; 2001; 1/8/22 (new entry)