At the dawn of the 21st century, King Crimson was a quartet consisting of Adrian Belew (guitar/vocals), Robert Fripp (guitar), Trey Gunn (Warr guitar/Warr fretless guitar) and Pat Mastelotto (percussion). Their 2000 release The Construkction Of Light didn’t quite live up to the expectations, though it was filled with enough mind-spinning excursions to leave most amateurs confused and mired in curiosity. Fripp said of the album at the time: “It doesn’t convey the power of the music.” Perhaps this is why from the moment it starts, The Power To Believe, the 2003 follow-up (and to date, the last King Crimson studio album), assumes a task as mighty as its name. As the 15th and final phase of King Crimson’s 40th Anniversary release schedule — even as the band celebrates their 50th anniversary — an enhanced reissue of the album is now available in hi-res stereo audio and lossless 5.1 Surround Sound.
There’s no pussyfootin’ when it comes to the bombastic blast of “Level Five,” which is placated by the grace of “Eyes Wide Open” before the onslaught of “Elektrik,” “The Facts Of Life” and “Dangerous Curves” plow on through. All of it is stitched together by “The Power To Believe,” a haunting four-part suite that ebbs and flows throughout. “Happy With What You Have to Be Happy With” (which also appears on a self-titled EP) lightens the load, boasting partially nonsensical lyrics based on Belew’s ideas for lyrics, which were never meant to be the lyrics themselves (you follow?).
Boundless with an intensity all its own, The Power To Believe is ultimately a valid starting point for any prospective, next-generation King Crimson fan who probably went to see Tool and were impressed with the opening act. From there it’s simply a matter of working backwards. Meanwhile, an eight-piece lineup of King Crimson continues to make the rounds on concert stages around the world, playing a wide selection of tracks, mostly from the 70s. However, “Level 5” is a regular on the set list, paying homage in some way to what could very well be the final studio gasp from King Crimson. Or is it? Only Robert Fripp knows for sure.
~ Shawn Perry
