Happy With What You Have To Be Happy With

King Crimson

Sanctuary Records, 2002

http://www.dgmlive.com

REVIEW BY: Mark Kadzielawa

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED: 11/08/2002

This is supposed to be a mini album, but the length of this disc is over 30 minutes. There are bands that release full-length albums that are shorter than this. So, take it as you will. It feels like an album, but it generally isn't treated as such.my_heart_sings_the_harmony_web_ad_alt_250

The cover of the disc shows a family sitting in front of TV with what appears to be a lottery ticket. They're hoping to improve their lives, or move to a different class, yet they look very calm meaning that they not unhappy being where they're at. The more I look at the packaging of this disc, the more clues I get. Isn't art great?

Musically, King Crimson is always at least a step or two ahead of everyone else. After a first listen, this recording sounds very typical and Crimsonish, no surprises. With each additional listen, you can sonically observe there's a lot going on. In many ways to get the true meaning of King Crimson recording, you have to sit there, listen, and attempt to decode all of the instrumental movements to truly get the full picture. Their albums always were, and always will be, challenging to a listener; in a way that's what makes them beautiful and full of secrets. King Crimson is also a band that leaves a lot to interpret, leaving the listener searching for the clues and conclusions.

Happy With What You Have To Be Happy With goes through many musical moods and swings. It's an album that starts from sounding very extreme, especially the title track, to being very peaceful, and flowing. In many ways, this music could be looked at as very strange and misunderstood, but it also reflects the people who made it, and they certainly appear that way at times.

King Crimson is a band that makes very uncompromising music destined for people who don't respond well to simplicity offered by what's out on the contemporary market these days.

Rating: A

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© 2002 Mark Kadzielawa and The Daily Vault. All rights reserved. Review or any portion may not be reproduced without written permission. Cover art is the intellectual property of Sanctuary Records, and is used for informational purposes only.