10 Essential 1980s Progressive Rock Albums

5. King Crimson - Discipline

Spearheaded by guitarist Robert Fripp, King Crimson are often attributed with starting progressive rock with their debut LP, 1969’s In the Court of the Crimson King.

Over the next few years, they put out six more classic records, each adding new elements to their specialties (such as the avant-garde jazz sheen of 1970’s Lizard, the calmer coatings of follow-up Islands, and the proto-progressive metal tendencies of 1974’s Red).

Curiously, Fripp put King Crimson on hold for the second half of the 1970s, leading to a significantly new line-up and sound when they returned with 1981’s Discipline. Surprisingly, many fans prefer this incarnation of the band because they mixed earlier trademarks with refreshing dips into post-punk, World music, funk, and new wave.

Vocalist/guitarist Adrien Belew brings an era-defining likability and eccentricity to Elephant Talk, Frame by Frame, and Indiscipline; meanwhile, Discipline, The Sheltering Sky, and Thela Hun Ginjeet tap into African rhythms and other multicultural flavors. All the while, newcomers Belew and bassist Tony Levin create exhilarating chemistry with Fripp and returning drummer Bill Bruford.

Whereas many of their contemporaries “sold out” to commercial tastes around this time, Discipline allowed King Crimson to contemporize their aesthetic without losing integrity or artistry.

Contributor
Contributor

Hey there! Outside of WhatCulture, I'm a former editor at PopMatters and a contributor to Kerrang!, Consequence, PROG, Metal Injection, Loudwire, and more. I've written books about Jethro Tull, Opeth, and Dream Theater and I run a creative arts journal called The Bookends Review. Oh, and I live in Philadelphia and teach academic/creative writing courses at a few colleges/universities.