The ConstruKction Of Light

Performer: King Crimson
Distributor: Ryko Distribution

Notes: King Crimson: Adrian Belew (vocals, guitar); Robert Fripp (guitar); Trey Gunn (baritone guitar, bass); Pat Mastelotto (drums). Producers: King Crimson, Pat Mastelotto, Bill Munyon. Personnel: Adrian Belew (vocals); Robert Fripp (guitar); Trey Gunn (baritone guitar); Pat Mastelotto (drums). After spending time as a sextet, pioneering art rockers King Crimson reconvene as a quartet for THE CONSTRUKCTION OF LIGHT. Noticeably missing from this lineup are longtime drummer Bill Bruford and inventive bassist Tony Levin. However, leader Robert Fripp, Adrian Belew, Trey Gunn and Pat Mastellotto carry on the Crimson tradition with a set of exploratory works that touches on everything from the blues to mindbending aural flights of fancy. After splintering into its various fractals in the late '90s, this version of Crimson is recharged and eager to explore new ground, evidence of which lies in the amusing "ProzaKc Blues," which finds Belew with a heavily altered vocal, wallowing in despair, though with tongue firmly in cheek. More futuristic textures come with the dynamic title track. The disc's most esoteric cut, the unforgettably titled "The World's My Oyster Soup Kitchen Floor Wax Museum," is of special note, a bizarre stream-of-consciousness exploration that's sure to have listeners double-checking the lyric sheet. Finally, there's a bonus track from ProjeKct X, one of the aforementioned Crimson splinter groups, which pushes the limits of sonic manipulation.

Spin (9/00, pp.183-4) - 6 out of 10 - "...When Belew and Fripp commence noodlin', as on the 9-minute title track, there's nothing else like it. In a world of ones and zeroes, it's nice to see some disciplined humanoidism..." Entertainment Weekly (6/16/00, p.91) - "...Founder/ax guru Robert Fripp leads a guitar-trio-plus-drums this time, setting his needlepoint melodies and spasmodic power chordage against shifty drum work, while singer-guitarist Adrian Belew recites smug abstractions..." - Rating: B- Q (7/00, p.119) - 3 stars out of 5 - "...Harks back to the template of their finest work, the RED/STARLESS AND BIBLE BLACK era....this will delight aficionados with its muscular ensemble playing and unsparing power..." Down Beat (9/00, p.63) - 4 stars out of 5 - "...This group continues to perform with imperious authority and a heavyweight demeanor....melding stately themes with sizzling crunch chords and complex rhythmic structures....an exhilarating cosmic joyride..." Mojo (Publisher) (6/00, p.106) - "...The band proper returns to more familiar territory....there's more going on here musically in 12 bars of Crimson than in some entire albums."

Led by innovative guitarist/conceptualist Robert Fripp, King Crimson went through countless changes in style and personnel. They moved from early symphonic/progressive rock to angular, experimental improv to a mixture of hard rock and fusion before breaking up in the mid-'70s. Revived in the '80s, the group modernized its approach by incorporating Gamelan-like polyrhythms and an almost danceable Talking Heads-influenced sound into their approach. Always the coolest of the art-rockers, Crimson was also one of the most influential of the early-'70s prog crowd.

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