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King Crimson — Elephant Talk
Album: Discipline
Avg rating:
6.3

Your rating:
Total ratings: 202









Released: 1981
Length: 4:41
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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Comments (49)add comment
 aspicer wrote:

Amazing Bill - ask yee shall receive - I mentioned a while back about hearing some stuff from Discipline - gracias!  Wonderful to hear some tunes from one of the landmark albums of all time IMHO!  If you don't know KC - this album is the jump off point for sure - all star line up and simply a BRILLIANT work from start to finish!
Robert Fripp
Adrian Belew (who did a lot of work with T. Heads during the same period of time, and is responsible for the "elephanticity" you hear in the tune)
Tony Levin
Bill Bruford 

Now Bill......can we go deeper into the album now?! The answer's always "no" unless you ask!  ;-)
 




OK, this explains the Talking Heads comparisons.
Posted 1 year ago by joejennings    [ Reply ]
 suesblues wrote:
I really don't get the Talking Heads comparison - sure, superficially, but this has a much harder and more angry edge to it, to my ears anyway. Also has the randomness of improvised jazz.  Totally bonkers really.  I would agree that Talking Heads were probably strongly influenced though {#Sunny}



I don't know about the influences, but it is likely that the same fans like both bands. Right after this album came out, I saw K.C. live. GREAT show!!
Posted 2 years ago by eileenomurphy    [ Reply ]
I really don't get the Talking Heads comparison - sure, superficially, but this has a much harder and more angry edge to it, to my ears anyway. Also has the randomness of improvised jazz.  Totally bonkers really.  I would agree that Talking Heads were probably strongly influenced though {#Sunny}
Posted 11 years ago by suesblues    [ Reply ]
 Deadwing wrote:
One of my top ten albums of all time   {#Music}

I'm sure Frame by Frame or Matte Kudasai would garner a higher rating here. Elephant Talk is wickedly whimsical and musically acrobatic. It isn't easy listening   {#Bounce}  These guys are untouchable in technique, innovation, and the scope of their vision is amazing.

Not everyone wiill get it.

I'm ok with that.
 
Very good point - Frame By Frame or Matte Kudasi would be the better "entry point" for this amazing album... Bill...?!
Posted 12 years ago by aspicer    [ Reply ]
Amazing Bill - ask yee shall receive - I mentioned a while back about hearing some stuff from Discipline - gracias!  Wonderful to hear some tunes from one of the landmark albums of all time IMHO!  If you don't know KC - this album is the jump off point for sure - all star line up and simply a BRILLIANT work from start to finish!
Robert Fripp
Adrian Belew (who did a lot of work with T. Heads during the same period of time, and is responsible for the "elephanticity" you hear in the tune)
Tony Levin
Bill Bruford 

Now Bill......can we go deeper into the album now?! The answer's always "no" unless you ask!  ;-)
 

Posted 12 years ago by aspicer    [ Reply ]
Haven't heard this song in many years.  Nice dig.
Posted 12 years ago by bild    [ Reply ]
Always loved this song and the album it is on.  But I'd be shocked if the ratings weren't polarized.  Face it, if it isn't your thing, there is a lot to dislike, if not downright hate.  Has Bill ever played the title song from Robert Fripp's Exposure?  (not Peter Gabrial's version, as you gotta have the shrieking) I'd expect its rating chart to look like two bookends.

Posted 12 years ago by Typesbad    [ Reply ]
 bseib wrote:
This is totally channeling Talking Heads "Air" !!!   Awesome!
 
I thought Talking Heads too, but in an annoying way..........  {#No}

Posted 12 years ago by socalhol    [ Reply ]
 MJMJ wrote:
And you may find yourself living in a shotgun shack, listing to a crappy song
 

Does sound just like Talking Heads.  I'm not sure if I love it or hate it.{#Rolleyes}
Posted 12 years ago by jen3005545    [ Reply ]
Weird but not bad for 31 years ago and doing a Talking Heads and Brian Eno emulation.
Posted 12 years ago by kingart    [ Reply ]
Right on Bill!!  
 
Posted 12 years ago by KaiT    [ Reply ]
this not my beautiful house...this is not my beautiful wife
Posted 12 years ago by 1wolfy    [ Reply ]
5.8?? Really? I saw KC do this about 10 years ago. Belew was right in front of me with my chest pressed against the stage. He was truly the shit on this song. Too bad you people don't get it. This is awesome guitar stuff here.....
Posted 12 years ago by Troutnskibum    [ Reply ]
And you may find yourself living in a shotgun shack, listing to a crappy song
Posted 12 years ago by MJMJ    [ Reply ]
Im giving this a 9 purely to balance all the negatives from those who don't like it!  It deserves more than 6.6..... classic hard funk jazz, obscure lyrics, excellent stuff....{#Drummer}

Posted 12 years ago by suesblues    [ Reply ]
Wow, that is paifully ugly. And I like some of KC's stuff.
Posted 12 years ago by FlatCat    [ Reply ]
 Deadwing wrote:
One of my top ten albums of all time   {#Music}

I'm sure Frame by Frame or Matte Kudasai would garner a higher rating here. Elephant Talk is wickedly whimsical and musically acrobatic. It isn't easy listening   {#Bounce}  These guys are untouchable in technique, innovation, and the scope of their vision is amazing.

Not everyone wiill get it.

I'm ok with that.
 
with all due respect,  i don't understand what technique, innovation or vision you're talking about.  i don't understand what the attraction is to this band.  i think it's complete garbage.  there's nothing musically apealing about them.  help me understand.
Posted 12 years ago by myersei    [ Reply ]
 Deadwing wrote:
One of my top ten albums of all time   {#Music}

I'm sure Frame by Frame or Matte Kudasai would garner a higher rating here. Elephant Talk is wickedly whimsical and musically acrobatic. It isn't easy listening   {#Bounce}  These guys are untouchable in technique, innovation, and the scope of their vision is amazing.

Not everyone wiill get it.

I'm ok with that.
 

Very well put...  I agree with you entirely. I'm happy to hear this on RP though. Would love to hear a wider range of King Crimson played on RP myself.

Posted 12 years ago by sici    [ Reply ]
One of my top ten albums of all time   {#Music}

I'm sure Frame by Frame or Matte Kudasai would garner a higher rating here. Elephant Talk is wickedly whimsical and musically acrobatic. It isn't easy listening   {#Bounce}  These guys are untouchable in technique, innovation, and the scope of their vision is amazing.

Not everyone wiill get it.

I'm ok with that.


Posted 13 years ago by Deadwing    [ Reply ]
This is totally channeling Talking Heads "Air" !!!   Awesome!
Posted 13 years ago by bseib    [ Reply ]
Suck-o barf-o

Posted 13 years ago by myersei    [ Reply ]
{#Crashcomp}next please!!

Posted 13 years ago by juanos    [ Reply ]
WOW! What a set!


Posted 13 years ago by Deadwing    [ Reply ]
10! 10! 10!

This album is printed in my mind since I was four, I can't help loving it :)

PS. Don't forget Tony Levin, Bill! :)

Posted 13 years ago by macmat    [ Reply ]
 Jelani wrote:
Amazing, the low rating for this.
I just don't get it. 
 

I do.  The music polarizes. See the biased, bi-modal distribution of responses.

Easy listening, it ain't.


Posted 13 years ago by westslope    [ Reply ]
i once had a 1 gig music player with nothing but king crimson, tool and melvins - on random play it sometimes took a few seconds to figure out who it was.
Posted 13 years ago by bobzane    [ Reply ]
 Jelani wrote:
Amazing, the low rating for this.
I just don't get it. 
 
I generally avoid anything that can be linked to prog rock but I make an exception for Belew for some reason.
Posted 13 years ago by ScottFromWyoming    [ Reply ]
Wow, and the rating just dropped more as I wrote my previous comment!!!!
WTF?! 
Posted 13 years ago by Jelani    [ Reply ]

I love this song!  Took me a few listens. Unfortunately, I can only play the Discipline CD while by myself.

 

Sorry to those who find this grating and awful.  I understand.  Please put up with it as this is still some of the most exciting, technically nifty rock music to ever come out.


Posted 13 years ago by westslope    [ Reply ]
Amazing, the low rating for this.
I just don't get it. 
Posted 13 years ago by Jelani    [ Reply ]
 dmax wrote:
I agree with all of this
 
That guy's full of it.
Posted 13 years ago by ScottFromWyoming    [ Reply ]
So pleased to hear this on RP.  TEN.   It's all TEN.
Posted 13 years ago by zogma    [ Reply ]
Please....never again!!!
Posted 13 years ago by Axelito    [ Reply ]
Holy Frack that was awful.
Posted 13 years ago by Xeric    [ Reply ]
Make it stop.

Noise, its just Noise...Noise...Bad annoying Noise...
Posted 13 years ago by Kittee    [ Reply ]
 Derecho wrote:
PRIMUS SUCKS!!!

...Oh, sorry!  My mistake.
 
Ha...I admit, I did think Primus for a second when I came into the room heard the talk singing and bass line

Posted 13 years ago by sbegf    [ Reply ]
PRIMUS SUCKS!!!

...Oh, sorry!  My mistake.
Posted 13 years ago by Derecho    [ Reply ]
Don't skip a song. I have 45 mins right now. Lets go!

 Jelani wrote:
 How about just play the whole damned thing?  So good beginning to end.
 


Posted 13 years ago by Peace_tode    [ Reply ]
I had always been a Bruford fan. His work with Yes was good but to me, the fit wasn't great. UK was fantastic and perfect. I went to see KC at a club in Atlanta when I was 20 to see his experimntation with electronic drums. That was my 1st exposure to Tony levin. OMG!!! Who is this guy? Adrien Belew seemed to be a great part of this band as well. And Fripp? Just sat there led the this highly evolved expression of music. I have followed all of them for 30 years hence. I will never forget that show. Thanks Guys!!
Posted 13 years ago by Peace_tode    [ Reply ]
Hard to believe this is King Crimson - Sounds like they are channelling David Byrne and not in a good way {#Puke}
Posted 13 years ago by DaveInSaoMiguel    [ Reply ]
 apd wrote:
Well, if you're playing this, Bill, I'd like to vote for Matte Kudasai, too.
  How about just play the whole damned thing?  So good beginning to end.


Posted 13 years ago by Jelani    [ Reply ]
Ugh. 1. I'd rate it a -10 if I could.
Not my favorite at all. Does it ever end?
Posted 13 years ago by Kittee    [ Reply ]
chit chat
Posted 13 years ago by toastferatu    [ Reply ]
Well, if you're playing this, Bill, I'd like to vote for Matte Kudasai, too.
Posted 13 years ago by apd    [ Reply ]
Ballyhoo!

This entire album still kicks. College daze... 'The Sheltering Sky' on a rainy day - the perfect zone-out song.

Posted 13 years ago by smackiepipe    [ Reply ]
YES YES YES!!!!!!
GIGANTIC  ELEPHANT SIZED 10! 
Posted 13 years ago by Jelani    [ Reply ]
Discipline and Starless and Bible Black are my favs. I've loved this band for 30 years. Wish Bill would play this tune... *sighs* I've recently read that KC is reforming one last time next year (to raise money for Fripp's Guitar Institute) with Fripp, Belew, Levin, Mastelloto, and Gavin Harrison (from Porcupine Tree). They will only be touring in the US as far as anyone has said so far. Bill Bruford opted out. Much of this is conjecture at this point- we'll have to see how it plays out. Sounds intriguing...
Posted 16 years ago by Deadwing    [ Reply ]