Let's just look at the track "Absinthe" from the KTU release 8 Armed Monkey. It contains the essence of this band in eight-minute twenty-one second microcosm. Gunn's Warr guitar (or is it? you can never tell what with all of these samplers causing such trouble) lets out a spooky wail that is joined by an equally spooky voice. Tibetan Monks on acid, I tell ya. The main motif takes over, a series of three-note passages that is soon filled out by Gunn's low lines and Mastelotto's 'rhythmic devices'. As the groove builds a person might be tempted to think that the festivities have King Crimson-ish or perhaps Projekct 2 quality. Maybe. But then that voice floats in from above and proceeds to take on the conductor/shaman role. After a repeat of the main structures, Gunn takes an industrial and nasty solo, followed by the accordion solo from hell. Just when you think you've got this all figured out the instruments drop away to reveal a KTU take on the gamelon. More ethereal vocals pop in and out over the chiming percussion. All of this slowly morphs back into one final shot at the big groove. It's exhilarating, it's creepy and it ends on a short repeat of Gunn's "Monk Wail" note.
Not all of 8 Armed Monkey plays at such an intense level. "Keho" is a more ambient piece that again uses a mid-song percussion flurry to great effect. "Sineen" rests somewhere in he middle, a floating almost-ballad that might remind me of French folk music if it wasn't for the odd samples popping up here and there.
One of the most positive things that can be said about any collection of music is that it's difficult, if not impossible, to classify it. That's definitely the case with KTU. If you're familiar with the 'modern' era of King Crimson you'll be familiar with part of this sonic palette, but that's not the whole story.
Be aware though, that the whole story may have a definite dreamlike quality.
Article comments
1 - Mary K. Williams
Good Post again Mark -
Wow - Sinister Amish, wet accordians, wait - Strike that - Reverse it.
So, it's a sinister cabal of Amish women in wetsuits, playing accordians, right?
Sweet Dreams are made of this, I think.
I was never real familiar w/King Crimson until a friend played them for me. So, you're telling me that KTU will knock my socks off? Cool.
2 - Mark Saleski
amish women in wetsuits....now if only i was good at photoshop...