Sunday 13 September 2015

TPA CD Review: King Crimson - The Elements 2015 Tour Box

King Crimson - The Elements 2015 Tour Box

You can read the full TPA Review here

...Over 140 minutes, this really is a stunning listen from start to finish, the familiar mixed with alternative versions and new material, all presented in sound of the highest clarity. All of the various eras of the band are represented and the choices made for inclusion are fully vindicated by the quality of the material. The rarities included are fascinating and the integration of the current band throughout the set is very well done indeed with the bonus of one of the new pieces that is now in the live set.

Clearly aimed at the hardened fan there will also be much to enjoy for the uninitiated listener but there are certainly easier ways to start ones devotion at the altar of the King. Once the current run of touring is completed you’ll still be able to pick up a copy from various outlets and I can’t recommend it highly enough if you have any interest in alternative goings on within the KC universe.

Saturday 12 September 2015

TPA CD Review: Agent Fresco - Destrier

Agent Fresco - Destrier

You can read the full TPA Review here

...Agent Fresco combine a keen pop sensibility with alternative sounds from art rock, metal and math-rock which makes their music both accessible and complex. I’d not come upon them before but Destrier is their third album and it has certainly sparked my interest to seek out the other two. As reference points the likes of Mew, A-Ha, Opeth and Leprous come to mind to a greater or lesser extent and, no doubt a result of their Icelandic heritage, there also seems to be a touch of Björk swirling about. All this makes for an enigmatic and unexpected listen, a collision of styles that really shouldn’t go together but are realised supremely well, dense when it needs to be, sparse and cold elsewhere but always an emotional ride.

Sunday 6 September 2015

TPA Live Review: King Crimson, St. David's Hall, Cardiff - 3rd September 2015

King Crimson - 3rd September 2015

[Click here to read the full review at TheProgressiveAspect.net]



[Image of King Crimson in rehearsal courtesy of Sid Smith/DGM]

And then there’s Robert Fripp. Whenever I’ve seen him play previously I just couldn’t take my eyes off him, the minimalist, precise movements almost hypnotic, but here he was producing sounds of cathartic anger and otherworldly uniqueness as the Crimson King requires. The guitarists guitarist, Fripp seems to be “including” himself more than for many years, almost impervious to emotion but cracking a small smile now and again. There’s no real reason for him to be doing this at the age of 69, I can’t imagine how demanding it all is to take this band somewhere new once again, but here he is, the only things moving his eyes and his hands. From being shrouded in the shadows in 2000, he has emerged and is clearly enjoying himself within the music he has created and to finally see him play some of these things – Epitaph, Sailor’s Tale, Schizoid Man, The Court of the Crimson King, Starless – was a dream that I never believed could come true. The dexterity in his playing, the sustain, the wonderful choices. A complete honour to watch such an enigmatic master craftsman and unique talent at work. At the end the house lights were put on so the band could connect with the audience. Fripp stood at his position and slowly scanned every part of the hall as the storm of applause washed over the band, as if thanking everyone individually for their attention. No emotion, no acknowledgement, simply an almost one-to-one thank you and a look of quiet satisfaction.

And then they were gone.

No interaction during the performance, no words from the stage, no movement to speak of. Nothing more than a captivating performance that completely absorbed me from start to finish.

All afternoon I’d been suffering the beginnings of a migraine which got worse immediately before the show. By the end of the show I was completely cured and bouncing up and down like an idiot, fully energised and ready to go again. Proof positive that King Crimson is a miraculous cure-all that should be available on prescription. Much better than paracetamol!

God bless you Mr Fripp for the cure and also for your vision and fortitude in allowing this miraculous event to happen.