CONSTRUCKTION OF LIGHT

King Crimson: Adrian Belew (vocals, guitar); Robert Fripp (guitar); Trey Gunn (baritone guitar, bass); Pat Mastelotto (drums). Producers: King Crimson, Pat Mastelotto, Bill Munyon. Personnel: Adrian Belew (vocals); Robert Fripp (guitar); Trey Gunn (baritone guitar); Pat Mastelotto (drums). After spending time as a sextet, pioneering art rockers King Crimson reconvene as a quartet for THE CONSTRUKCTION OF LIGHT. Noticeably missing from this lineup are longtime drummer Bill Bruford and inventive bassist Tony Levin. However, leader Robert Fripp, Adrian Belew, Trey Gunn and Pat Mastellotto carry on the Crimson tradition with a set of exploratory works that touches on everything from the blues to mindbending aural flights of fancy. After splintering into its various fractals in the late '90s, this version of Crimson is recharged and eager to explore new ground, evidence of which lies in the amusing "ProzaKc Blues," which finds Belew with a heavily altered vocal, wallowing in despair, though with tongue firmly in cheek. More futuristic textures come with the dynamic title track. The disc's most esoteric cut, the unforgettably titled "The World's My Oyster Soup Kitchen Floor Wax Museum," is of special note, a bizarre stream-of-consciousness exploration that's sure to have listeners double-checking the lyric sheet. Finally, there's a bonus track from ProjeKct X, one of the aforementioned Crimson splinter groups, which pushes the limits of sonic manipulation.