Non-Classical Music Listening Thread!

[AnotherSpin]

Me, I was incredibly jazzed when I saw the Discipline LP in the record store, and already knew Belew's work with Zappa and Talking Heads, and Levin's with Peter Gabriel. This lineup always appealed to me.

I also remember very well the moment Discipline LP appeared. And of course, the presence of Belew, whom I knew well from Talking Heads, was intriguing. The album was well-made, smooth, every base was covered, nothing to complain about. But it immediately felt to me that something present in the early King Crimson was already lost. Fripp's solo albums of that time, or The League of Gentlemen, was more experimental and attractive. Though, maybe it was just that my tastes had changed by then. I was listening more to avant-garde jazz than rock and increasingly to serious music.

[Karl Henning]

I also remember very well the moment Discipline LP appeared. And of course, the presence of Belew, whom I knew well from Talking Heads, was intriguing. The album was well-made, smooth, every base was covered, nothing to complain about. But it immediately felt to me that something present in the early King Crimson was already lost. Fripp's solo albums of that time, or The League of Gentlemen, was more experimental and attractive. Though, maybe it was just that my tastes had changed by then. I was listening more to avant-garde jazz than rock and increasingly to serious music.

The League of Gentlemen project was brilliant!

[Karl Henning]

Albums which close with their strongest song. I'll start:

Genesis, And Then There Were Three, " Follow You, Follow Me."

Also, arguably:
Zappa and the Mothers, We're Only in It for the Money, "The Chrome-Plated Megaphone of Destiny."

[71 dB]

I found Lizard "interesting," but it didn't win my heart.

This is why I don't recommend music/movies often to other people. People do not have exactly the same taste. What wins my heart doesn't win the hearts of many other people and vice versa. People should explore and find their own favourites. If people get good advices and help in exploring from other people that's good, but it is not guaranteed. Anyway, it is good you listened to Lizard because now you know what you think about it.

[Karl Henning]

This is why I don't recommend music/movies often to other people. People do not have exactly the same taste.

That's all right. Listening to Lizard was a positive experience. So your recommendation was fine.

[Archaic Torso of Apollo]

Me, I was incredibly jazzed when I saw the Discipline LP in the record store, and already knew Belew's work with Zappa and Talking Heads, and Levin's with Peter Gabriel. This lineup always appealed to me.

One thing that amazed me about Discipline is that there's only one "normal" song on it ("Matte Kudasai"). The other songs consist of: 1) synonyms for the word "talk," 2) cryptic lyrics that seem to actively defy you to make sense of them, 3) extracts from somebody's art project, 4) a tape-recorded story of an encounter with street toughs. Plus a couple of rather complex instrumentals. Certainly an album like no other.

[Archaic Torso of Apollo]

Albums which close with their strongest song. I'll start:

Nice idea, but maybe this should be its own thread?

[San Antone]

Albums which close with their strongest song. I'll start:

Genesis, And Then There Were Three, " Follow You, Follow Me."

Also, arguably:
Zappa and the Mothers, We're Only in It for the Money, "The Chrome-Plated Megaphone of Destiny."

The Beatles, Sgt. Pepper's - A Day in the Life

[Karl Henning]

The Beatles, Sgt. Pepper's - A Day in the Life

Yes! Over time, somehow I'm apt to forget that the peppy reprise is followed by "A Day...."

TD:

[Karl Henning]

One thing that amazed me about Discipline is that there's only one "normal" song on it ("Matte Kudasai"). The other songs consist of: 1) synonyms for the word "talk," 2) cryptic lyrics that seem to actively defy you to make sense of them, 3) extracts from somebody's art project, 4) a tape-recorded story of an encounter with street toughs. Plus a couple of rather complex instrumentals. Certainly an album like no other.

Yes!

[AnotherSpin]

One thing that amazed me about Discipline is that there's only one "normal" song on it ("Matte Kudasai"). The other songs consist of: 1) synonyms for the word "talk," 2) cryptic lyrics that seem to actively defy you to make sense of them, 3) extracts from somebody's art project, 4) a tape-recorded story of an encounter with street toughs. Plus a couple of rather complex instrumentals. Certainly an album like no other.

Probably this is what made it difficult for me to accept Discipline as a worthy project for reviving King Crimson after such a long break. With his vocals, Belew was likely trying to imitate David Byrne and not much more, and Fripp receded into the background, playing some endless mechanical figures. Bruford had to take on a more prominent role as a lead musician, and he's very good here, though there's nothing particularly new compared to what we've already heard from him in Yes, old Crimson, etc. By the early '80s, prog had already run its course; after either post-punk, ska, or new wave one just couldn't stay within the frame of an old idiom. The elaborate massive structures that prog rock was famous for had become an anachronism. Fripp tried to create some kind of amalgam with Talking Heads-style music, and while it was cleverly done, it hasn't stood the test of time. I tried listening to it yesterday — it just feels funny, like garments and haircuts from 80's..

[vandermolen]

ABC: The Lexicon of Love 2
Not as good as the original album from the 1980s but still very enjoyable:

[Karl Henning]

"You promised to love me but what do I know? You're always spillin' juice on me like you've got someplace to go."

[Archaic Torso of Apollo]

Fripp tried to create some kind of amalgam with Talking Heads-style music, and while it was cleverly done, it hasn't stood the test of time. I tried listening to it yesterday — it just feels funny, like garments and haircuts from 80's..

To this, all I can say is that it grabs me, and while I like the Talking Heads well enough, I'm not bothered by any similarity or imitation of their style.

At the same time I got Discipline, I also bought another later KC album, The Power to Believe. Doing an initial comparative listen, I liked them about the same. But after a while it was clear I liked Discipline a lot better. I can't quite explain why; it's just one of  those personal things.

[Archaic Torso of Apollo]

Nice idea, but maybe this should be its own thread?

In retrospect, this probably shouldn't be its own thread. You know why? Because I can't think of any albums where the last song is the best!

[Karl Henning]

[San Antone]

That title reminded me of one of my favorite pop songs by one of my favorite pop bands, the bird and the bee. 

Agains and Again

Inara George (Lowell George's daughter) is one half (vocals) of the bird and the bee and she has made solo records (as well as others with b&theb) which are among the best pop music I've heard in the last 20 years. 

[KevinP]

Honestly, this is not a purchase I can easily justify. Four discs of 1950s schmaltz, and it's not like I didn't know that going in.

[Karl Henning]

[Karl Henning]

Oh, I am fond of this.