Often maligned as a self-indulgent “progressive” rock band by critics, King Crimson over the last 40 years has proven several times that an exploratory approach to music doesn’t have to equate with wretched excess.
“Thrak,” the band’s 1995 effort, is one of its masterpieces. The title track and “VROOM” demonstrate the group’s talent for playing very aggressive pieces, but other songs here, including “One Time” and “Walking On Air,” evince a gentle beauty that King Crimson’s harsher detractors always have overlooked.
The band has seen a striking number of lineup changes over the decades. The version that made “Thrak” was a “double trio,” according to leader Robert Fripp -- consisting of two guitarists, two bassists and two drummers. The result: a sextet of musicians capable of moving from cacophony to musical caress in a heartbeat.
The adventurous listener will find great reward here.