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Western Carolinian Volume 60 Number 23

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  • 8 Western Carolinian March 30, 1995 Features A D<fi<eii(J Dave Williams Staff Reporter After a ten-year hiatus and numerous solo projects, King Crimson are back with a vengeance and a new EP, VROOOM, which is described in the liner notes as a "calling card, rather than a love letter, to those generous enough to give it ears." Guitarist Robert Fripp officially declared the band finished after the group's 1984 album Three Of A Perfect Pair and the preceding tour. Adrian Belew (guitar and vocals) toured with David Bowie and made solo albums while Fripp toured and recorded with David Sylvian (their 1994 album The First Day was a catalyst for the Crimson reunion). Drummer Bill Bruford did time with Yes and their various incarnations while Stick master Tony Levin toured and recorded with Peter Gabriel. Two additional members have been added to the quartet: Pat Mastelotto (of Mr. Mister and XTC) on drums and Trey Gunn (who played on The First Day) on Stick, presenting the first double trio formation of King Crimson. The results are promising, to say the least, and will leave diehards and new converts alike salivating for more. VROOOM kicks off with the title track, a 7-minute instrumental that sounds like the perfect fusion between the fierce guitar damage of Lark's Tongues in Aspic (1973) and the metallic industrial clatter of Three Of A Perfect Pair. The music bends and shifts, howls and moans, with polyrhythms aplenty dueling alongside Fripp and Belew's guitar frenzy. The next track, "Sex Sleep Eat Drink Dream," finds Crimson getting funky with Belew's vocals awash in a sea of distortion. The scream after the second verse sends everything into chaos with brutal sheets of noise and a groove that's sexy and slinky. The lyrics are kinda vague (if anyone can figure out what the hell Belew is talking about, please let me know) but; in the context of the song, work quite well. Ambiguity has never sounded better. "Cage" is more direct and to the point, a lyrical outcry of violence and corruption with Belew pondering "What in the world has happened to the world?" under a bed of rich guitar textures and African drumming. The song has a groove that would impress any Techno fan with Bruford and Mastelotto pounding away. Clocking in at 1:35, "Cage" offers further proof that good things come in small packages. Things get back to normal with "Thrak," another 7-minute instrumental that blends harsh industrial grooves and angry noise guitar with ambient Frippertronic textures. It shouldn't work but it does, with the band playing like their lives depend on it. -"When I Say Stop, Continue" is another instrumental, all noise and texture, until the last minute when Bruford and Mastelotto start bashing and thrashing, driving the piece to a breath-taking climax. VROOOM closes with "One Time," a nice Latin-flavored vehicle for Belew's vocals and Fripp's mellow guitar fills. This song would sound really nice on commercial radio... but, hey, who are we kidding? For an industry that prides itself on being "innovative," commercial radio will never touch this and, by the time they do, King Crimson will have drifted on to their next musical plateau. And once you take into consideration that Crimson has survived for over 25 years without a hit single or a video, then you understand what the word "Alternative" really means. About the only complaint that I have about this disc is that it's only 30 minutes long, but considering that all 6 songs are excellent, such whining is irrelevant and trivial. A full-length album (with Thrak as the working title) should be out very soon featuring the same double-trio line-up. Meanwhile, you can pick up VROOOM and listen to what the rest of the Rock Press has been listening to and talking about. VROOOM is available through Possible Productions c/o Mark Perry, 351 Magnolia Avenue, Long Beach, California 90802 (fax: 310-491 1945). Or, better yet, visit In Your Ear Music Emporium, on Main Street in Sylva. There's a good possibility that they can get it for you. Sorry, folks, it's not available on cassette. Psychology 331 (Human Sexuality) June 5-June 30,10 -12:15 p.m. daily Students from any major are welcome. No prerequisites! \Among the topics to be discussed are sex and cultural variation, sexual anatomy and physiology, sexual values, sexually transmitted diseases, birth control, and homosexuality. Correction: Several items in last week's story, "Mood Altering Drugs at the Forefront of Counseling Services" by Jonathan Lee Jones were incorrect. 50-70 students went to the Smoky Mountain counselor center, not 50- 70%. Also, no student can be forced into counselling. In addition, Dr. Gunn was misquoted in his top reasons why students go to the counseling center. These four reasons are: Clinical depression (not depression or anxiety caused by school), self-concept, relationship problems, and family problems. FREE! FREE! FREE! FREE! FREE! FREE! 16th Annual International Festival Thursday, April 6 1995 10:OOam to 4:00pm Grandroom of the University Center Please join the international students, faculty, staff and community for a day of fun . . -international food . . .entertainment . . fashion show . . .exhibits . . .videos and much, much more! For more information call: Freek Lemmers (586-0307), President, International Club or Dick Cameron (227-7234), International Student Advisor (No Charge for Admission) FREE! FREE! FREE! FREE! FREE! FREE! .
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