Thrak (30th Anniv Ed) [Limited Edition, Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered]

King Crimson | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 8, 2002)
• Original Release Date: 1995
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Limited Edition, Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered
• Label: Virgin Records Us
• ASIN: B00006ANZP
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #81,974 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Vrooom

2. Coda: Marine 475

3. Dinosaur

4. Walking On Air

5. B'Boom

6. Thrak

7. Inner Garden I

8. People

9. Radio I

10. One Time

11. Radio II

12. Inner Garden II

13. Sex Sleep Eat Drink Dream

14. Vrooom Vrooom

15. Vrooom Vrooom: Coda

Editorial Reviews

UK deluxe limited edition reissue of the prog-rock act's 1995 album. Features 24-bit digital remastering and a mini LP sleeve with original artwork. 2002.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hard to Imagine, but the Remaster opens unheard wonders!, October 17, 2002

By 

o dubhthaigh (north rustico, pei, canada) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Thrak (30th Anniv Ed) (Audio CD)

Speaking strictly on the topic of rematering CDs that came out in the 90's, one is normally a bit skeptical about how improved anything could be, especially with Fripp in the picture, but God Bless him, he did it. A lot of his colleagues could take reams of pages from Fripp's book.

As to THRAK itself, this was one powerful recording when it first arrived 8 years ago, and its power has not diminshed over time. Along with the THE COURT, DISCIPLINE and RED, there is something totally unrelenting in the pursuit of MUSICKING here that was terrifying, dynamic, inspiring. For any of us who were great devotees of the double trio, this album seemed to promise so much, yet it would prove to be so difficult to follow up and take to another level. But here at the beginning, it is still astonishing to listen to what is going on. A spectacular acheivement! When you recall that most of the pop world was bopping along to Prince's Little Richard knockoffs, much as the pop world once bopped to the Rolling Stones' pale imitations of the wild ecstases of the chitlin circuit, it becomes quite clear how unprepared rock was and always is for Crimson. Years later, the avant garde takes up themes and directions for which the King gets pilloried, but in its nascent state, it suggets things far too powerful for easy digestion, and that of course is anathema to the music biz.

So here is KC going for the jugular and all hail the remastered efforts for making audible the brave thrusts, parries, leaps, and bravado of the six members of this exceptional team. Fripp seems to enjoy listing in the remasters, the very bad press they get. Some of it actually is spot on, and because of that the sheer genius of THRAK is underscored. Some of it is just plain humourous, and if you can't have a good laugh at yourself, well, ... you end UP like a disillusioned former front man for a prog-rock band, and Crim ain't your grandfather's prog-rock band.

If this is your first interest in King Crimson, oooo, good luck! Most of the folks interested in this disc would be devotees, and so forewarning them is unnecessary. I wish that the double trio might take up the cause again. Like Ornette Coleman and John Coltrane with FREE JAZZ and LIVE AT THE VILLAGE VANGUARD...AGAIN, this is dangerous stuff and tends to exact a toll, which makes the song, "One Time," all that more poignant. But for all the challenges and difficulties, Crimson actually did what very few (Ornette and Trane being the only ones I can think of) ever tried to do, let alone do successfully. Perhaps too much was revealed at the precipice where the double trio declined, and perhaps in time, the pull of that force will prove irresistable. In 1994, six men set out on an extraordinary journey. This remastered version does them great justice. This is the crucible through which all future Crims must pass.

I would recommend the current Collector's Club release, LIVE IN HYDE PARK, from the first line-up, as they opened for the Stones in 1969. Just imagine! It has all the horror and terror and miraculous wonder then as it would if they were to do the same today. And more importantly, that disc concludes with a discussion among the original team of what they meant to each other and what Crim meant in its own right that underscores not only how far Crim has come, but how true to the oracle Crim has remained.

Long live the KING!

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wow!!!!!!!, December 24, 2002

By 

Petr Pour (Czech Republic) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Thrak (30th Anniv Ed) (Audio CD)

My girlfriend is a big Crimson fan so i buy her a copy of this Cd for this Christmas.I was really curious because when i read that this is 24bit remaster i think that this will be the best present for her.It was.First the Lp like sleeve is great with new booklet witch includes photographs of band during recording.But the best thing is the sound.What can i say,it is a [HDCD].Everything from drums to bass and guitar is more present and much clearer.And the vocals are just excellent.Bass goes now deeper and is well deffined.And specialy tracks like „Walking on Air" or „One time" are from this point of view much better.In some parts we have feeling that we are listening to different record of this album.Because the dynamics is different and there is much to hear too.So if you planed to buy this excellent album (witch my girlfriend and I considered as one of the best albums of 90's) this is the ONE choice.

27 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I'm scared., May 20, 2003

By 

Lord Chimp (Monkey World) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Thrak (30th Anniv Ed) (Audio CD)

Meshuggah can unleash a razor-sharp dismembering tempest of metal or lay down a groove heavy enough to tear open the earth. Strapping Young Lad has seizure-inducing blasts of intensity and riffs that can liquefy bones. The Dillinger Escape Plan is a jackhammer striking every square inch of your head at once.

But King Crimson's _THRAK_ is nastier than all of them.

This time around, King Crimson's avatars comprise a double trio, featuring Robert Fripp (guitar, mellotron), Adrian Belew (vocals, guitar), Tony Levin (bass, stick), Trey Gunn (Warr guitar), with Bill Bruford and Pat Mastelotto on percussion. They have created a daunting work, both inhumanly complex and frighteningly harsh, with guitar distortion that sounds like metal being torn apart by machines, and clamorous drumming. "Sex Sleep Eat Drink Dream" is catchy as it moves around spiky grooves and shrapnel hurricanes of dense noise. "Dinosaur" is heavy, evil rock. "VROOM" in all its variations is heavy instrumental intricacy, seemingly chaotic but elaborately constructed. "People" is a mechanized funk with ringing metallic snares and guitar lines sharper than an assassin's blade.

"B'Boom" reveals King Crimson's matchless ability to create tension in music. On an array of minimalist percussion, ghostly guitar strokes create a hair-raising expectancy. The percussion drops out, leaving only a machine gun snare roll. Then the song kicks into all out war-mode, with heaving battle rhythms. The transition from here into "THRAK" is sudden and jarring. This nightmare inducing title track makes Meshuggah sound like a bunch of teddy bears. (And if you haven't had the extremely devastating pleasure -- or pain, depending on the person -- of listening to Meshuggah, just take for granted that they are sick.) The bestial guitar solo sounds like a demon matriarch giving birth. Yum. The rest is just as ugly.

Incredible how a band that unleashes the terror of "THRAK" can also lull with something like "Walking on Air", a surreally gorgeous serenade of angels. Even with six musicians this ballad never sounds crowded -- each musician contributes discerningly to the intimate sound. "One Time" is another evocative ballad proving King Crimson's mastery over both exquisite elegy and metallic assaults. Both parts of "Radio" are odd ambient interludes, and the "Inner Garden" tracks are vaporous nocturnes.

If you want to take my word for it, this is one of the best rock albums ever.

Also recommended: Gordian Knot, Tool, Cynic, Meshuggah, Spiral Architect, Dillinger Escape Plan, Sleepytime Gorilla Museum, the Trey Gunn Band.