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Reviews

King Crimson — Happy with What You Have to Be Happy With
(Sanctuary Records 06076-84580-2, 2002, CD)

by Jeff Melton, Published 2003-08-01

Happy with What You Have to Be Happy With Cover art

The precursor to the latest King Crimson CD is a peculiar combination of samples and outtakes that actually stands on its own. The context is similar to that of 1994’s Vrooom which served as a preview to Thrak, where snippets of ideas were not fully developed but gave an insider’s view as to what course the new works may take. The more fully developed pieces include the acoustic rendition of “Eyes Wide Open” that satisfies as a competent ballad from the pen of Adrian Belew. Voice-modified poetry is positioned as intros and outros to prime tracks that serves to add a bit of calm prior to the aggressive attack of the title track. The real keepers are “Potato Pie” (another clever tap into the standard blues format) and the fourth part of “Lark’s Tongues in Aspic,” which showcases the group’s consistent hard riffing interplay. Belew’s quiet guitar solo break on “Pie” is an ode to the old Delta blues men by relying on his uptight Stratocaster to tell a sordid tale. “Shoganai” indicates Pat Mastellotto continues to expand his empathy with acoustic percussion as well as the EP’s closer, “Clouds.” Not sure why any of these cuts didn’t make the final track listing for The Power to Believe unless the intent is to accentuate the heavy shroud of tension and doom. Maybe this is not a must-have EP to rush out and purchase, but it does confirm the wide scope of the four piece line-up.

Filed under: New releases, Issue 27, 2002 releases

Related artist(s): Adrian Belew, Robert Fripp, King Crimson, Pat Mastelotto, Trey Gunn

 

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