Discipline
King Crimson · 1981
38 min · 7 tracks · progressive rock
Complex polyrhythms intertwine with intricate melodies, creating a vibrant tapestry of sound that defies conventional rock structures.
Top tracks — play these first
-
→
Elephant Talk Start here — The track features intricate guitar interplay and spoken word elements that set the tone for the album's experimental nature.
-
→
Indiscipline — Notable for its rhythmic complexity and dynamic shifts, this song encapsulates the tension between structured composition and improvisational freedom.
-
→
Thela Hun Ginjeet — Combining storytelling with complex instrumentation, this track showcases King Crimson's innovative approach to narrative within music.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album's intricate compositions and distinctive sound mark it as a significant entry in progressive rock.
What we noticed
- The album features complex polyrhythms that shift between instruments, creating a layered texture that requires attentive listening.
- Each track often includes abrupt changes in dynamics and tempo, challenging conventional song structures.
- Vocals are interspersed with instrumental sections, where guitar and bass lines weave intricate melodies around the rhythmic foundation.
- Composition 25% of the score
-
8/10
- Craft 20% of the score
-
8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
-
7/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
-
9/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
-
6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- cerebral and intricate listening
- dynamic emotional journeys
- gradual builds and payoffs
- immersive track progression
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — Marked King Crimson's return and resurgence of progressive rock in the early '80s.
- Themes
- modernist experimentation· polyrhythmic complexity· narrative storytelling
- Career context
- Discipline marked King Crimson's return after a seven-year hiatus since their previous album, Red. It was their first release with the lineup featuring Adrian Belew and Tony Levin, representing a significant shift towards a more modern, accessible sound while maintaining their progressive roots.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Yes· Genesis· Frank Zappa
Tracklist
- 1 Elephant Talk Start here 4:42
- 2 Frame by Frame 5:10
- 3 Matte Kudasai 3:49
- 4 Indiscipline 4:33
- 5 Thela Hun Ginjeet 6:26
- 6 The Sheltering Sky 8:23
- 7 Discipline 5:06
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
Sync your library
Everything you track here works immediately — no account needed. Create one when you want to sync across devices.