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King Crimson - Level Five Audio CD

A fair review of the King Crimson "Level Five" Audio CD. Please note that the below review is the views of the authors, and authors only. You can get a complete list of all King Crimson reviews here, or go back to the King Crimson tabs.

King Crimson Band: King Crimson
Title: Level Five
Rating:
Release Date: 2009-01-13
Media: Audio CD

Tracks: 1: Dangerous Curves 2: Level Five 3: Virtuous Circle 4: Construkction of Light 5: Deception of the Thrush

Level Five and Climbing
The versions are lengthy masterpieces of the studio albums indicated. After the wonder of "Heavy ConstruKction", "Level Five" comes across as an encore of improvisational technique. Since this is live material we expect some embellishing on the core concepts. But my! these arrangements are so totally beyond their original meanings. While this is labeled an EPCD, 46 min. with 6 cuts (don't forget the 'hidden' improv) is a real deal for under $10. And if you don't know KC this is a chance to find out. .


Well-balanced Crimson concert experience in EP format
The disc's first two tracks are especially interesting as they are new material that would appear later as studio recordings on the CD, "The Power to Believe": Dangerous Curves and Level Five. Level Five is a limited-edition EP featuring an intriguing mix of latter-day King Crimson music from the 'double duo' lineup (essentially from 1999-2003) of Robert Fripp, Adrian Belew, Pat Mastelotto, and Trey Gunn.
Dangerous Curves begins with Adrian talking with the audience - listen for his line, "see how really bad we can play". A near-inaudible intro gradually reveals an ominous, insistent rhythm in the drums and the bass end of Trey's Warr Guitar, which builds in intensity and volume as the guitarists overlay a variety of sounds. Few bands can convey such portentous music as Crim, and there is no letup in the second track, Level Five. It's almost like a 21st century variation on the band's classic track "Red" in the sense that the main riff isn't especially fast, just very heavy, and again would provide a perfect soundtrack to a horror movie. The CD closes with a track, "The Deception of the Thrush", that had originally been explored by one of Crimson's 'projeKct' offshoots in the late 90's (to work on improvisations and new material the double trio lineup of the group divided into smaller units and played smaller, more intimate venues). Here the double duo gives it an excellent interpretation.
Regarding the overall sound: Trey's Warr Guitar has beautiful presence and is nicely balanced in the mix. Pat's drum sound is generally good, but for those who prefer acoustic-only drums, it may be disappointing: the double trio lineup featured the incomparable Bill Bruford as 2nd drummer, and in this lineup Pat relies on triggered programs to help fill in the percussive soundscapes. .


Dark, spooky, turbo-charged Crimson
"Could you turn the lights down, please? In fact, turn them off. . then you can watch how really bad we can play"

That's the phrase that Adrian Belew spills out at the beginning of Dangerous Curves. Of course, the band assaults you right after that with an instrumental sonic storm reminiscent of past glories, only with a darker mood. No bad playing whatsoever, only pure darkness.

"Level Five" is a live album by King Crimson which was sold as a limited edition exclusive release during their 2001 tour. I wonder in which dates this recording was taped, as the liner notes don't specify the venue or date. Clearly, this is not a complete show (with the CD clocking under 46 minutes in total), but don't let that stop you: good things come in small packages. Thankfully, the nice people from DGM/Inner Knot decided to put this and 2003's "EleKtriK" (Live In Japan) in print for the general buying public.

Of all 5 songs here, 4 were re-recorded for their next studio album, 2003's "The Power to Believe". Only Dangerous Curves and Level Five kept their titles, while Virtuous Circle and The Deception Of The Thrush would be re-christened as The Power To Believe Pt. II and III respectively. The ConstruKction Of Light was included as the title track from their previous studio album from 2000.

Here the music is dark and creepy. It takes some time to get used to this kind of music if you are not a fan of the late 90's/early 00's Crimson, but the rewards are immense. The music has many nu-metal undertones, combined with musical virtuosity and a particularly challenging sense of melody and harmony. Just as if this band was back in their 1973/1974 incarnation, Fripp and co. play almost by telepathy, making the different passages sound both improvised and composed (if that sounds like a contradiction by itself, you should listen by yourself to understand what I mean). Most of the tracks are segued seamlessly, providing a sense of continuity that makes you forget that probably the material from this show was not culled from a single performance.

Not for everyone, sure, but a gem for anybody who already got used to the dark(er) Crimson of the early 2000's, or whoever loved the astounding improvisational abilities of the 1973/1974 incarnation. Highly recommended.


A King Crimson Snob thinks it's great
I love the mid seventies Crimson, but this disc rocks! It's awesome in every respect. OK, I'm a snob (or an old fart) and I own every Fripp/Wetton/Bruford Crimson disc. Anyone who enjoys intense, improvisational, electric music will be impressed by this disc. A must have!.


25+ Crimso...

I love most of their releases. I have been a huge Crimson fan since the late 70's. Like most of the rest.
Construkction of the Light and the Projekcts were the 1st real dissapointments. But then Heavy ConstruKction put everything right again.
. . . and then there was this. Sadly, this is where I jump off. Aweful.
.


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