Search - King Crimson :: Vrooom Vrooom (Bonus CD)

Ferocious rock juggernaut!

Lord Chimp | Monkey World | 12/02/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Do not listen to this if you are trying to quit smoking. Whenever I listen to _VROOOM VROOOM_, I need precious smoke to calm down afterwards. Some turkey would be good too. Actually, it's almost ceremonial in a way. Honestly, there's not too much that can be said about this release. It's true that you can get most of the package here from two separate King Crimson collector's club discs, although I think this has a few different tracks. But it's hard to argue that this _isn't_ the ultimate live document of the terrorizing Double Trio incarnation. Disc one, from Mexico City, is onslaught after brutal onslaught, disorienting and scary but actually pretty fun. Even by the time "Dinosaur" is over, you've been battered and bruised by the hyper-complex assailment...but it gets CRAZIER. "B'Boom" sounds like the war ritual of a beastman army before it marches to battle. Then "THRAK" enters like a nightmare from the depths of Hell where even devil princes fear to tread, but it is stripped down and with so much room to breathe it manages to be even more menacing. Hearing the Double Trio rip up "Neurotica" (the nastiest song from _Beat_) is just deranged. Then the weirdo-funky percussion jam "Prism", which kind of reminds me of Thinking Plague's "Organism", then "Red" with those familiar ascending Octatonic scales that have never sounded so bloodthirsty. The dual percussion really brings this one to a new level. Bringing it to a close is a juicy rendition of "21st Century Schizoid Man". Disc two, from NYC, has the Double Trio playing some more goodies from _THRAK_ and reinterpreting a lot of great MK IV songs, breathing new life into them (not that they were DEAD or anything, but you know). Instead of more wacky descriptions that I like coming up with, I'll just say it is excellent and fun to hear -- especially since the studio versions sound so TEPID compared to these ones. And of course hearing the surreal beauty of "One Time" and "Walking on Air" is always a treat."

Schizoid band comes together

soundsmith | seattle, WA | 08/01/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It's hard to write a review of something i love as much as this KC set and still be helpful. I saw them during this tour in Seattle in '95 and took my wife and she instantly became a fan. This must have been a pivotal moment in the evolution of Crimson. One might think two stick players and two drummers might be a bit dense...well yes, but each one of these musicians is so talented and unique and the mix is so good that each performer stands out. I was particularly impressed by the way Mastelotto and Bruford (the two drummers) worked together, not entirely unlike the master/apprentice relationship in Indian Raga Music. With the exception of Discipline (1981), i think this one is their best."