Unlike most of the intended audience of this doc, I am not a fan. However I have experienced this band live after being given a free ticket. Reading up on the band it seems they have a cult following, particularly from those who were in their teens during the 1970s. They are one of the most well known bands from the Prog Rock era so wonderfully sent up in Brian Pern.
In concert I found them a difficult listen not knowing any of their tracks. Its obvious that some and by this I mean a small minority seem to get something from this band most do not. And that is kind of the problem. I have no difficulty with difficult music as I love artists such as Autechre who would leave your average KC fan in confusion. The problem with this band is it seems to be about reaching a peak experience through virtuoso playing of what are now quite arcane instruments. There is no progress in terms of sonic palate.
This doc aims to shed some light on what goes on behind the scenes in terms of the functioning of the band, the bands relationships, its history and live experience. It manages to explore some of these better than others. What it does not do however is delve particularly deeply into the psychology of Robert Fripp. Using my background however its clear that Fripp displays many traits of obsessive compulsive personality. Which appears to drive his unfulfilled drive towards perfection, his rigid rules and anger when these aims are frustrated. Of course perfection doesn't exist so its always a mission deemed to fail. There is also a need for control over others so its no surprise that relationships with band members have fractured. This doc however does not seem to ask the question of Fripp of whether he is actually aware of his personality flaws or whether he has made any attempts to change these, for the better of his emotional life and those around him. Which was baffling. Particularly when its so obvious what the issues are and that they are easily addressed. It seems this documentary was more keen to maintain the image of Fripp as some type of troubled genius that nobody can fathom. Is that because the film maker is too much of a fan?
If anything its the other band members past and present who make the biggest contribution, although it also seems they do not have a basic grasp of Fripps personality, some appeared damaged as a result.
Thankfully there was not much in the way of music, its a mainly talking heads affair which will suit non-fans more, as the music tends to sound like the soundtrack of a European low budget horror movie. I am thinking Goblin and Suspiria of course.
As for the KC peak experience, I doubt too many will get that watching this doc. While fans may initially warm to it, its actually quite surface level, there aren't many stand out moments, apart from one scene I had to actually check the video I was watching hadn't frozen. This one scene however explains why an in depth or revealing doc about Fripp will never be made. Its because he exerts so much control, particularly over himself, that at no point will he allow others to see below the surface. It would take a doc in which others who know him and free to talk will he be revealed. Talking of which, where was Toyah?
In concert I found them a difficult listen not knowing any of their tracks. Its obvious that some and by this I mean a small minority seem to get something from this band most do not. And that is kind of the problem. I have no difficulty with difficult music as I love artists such as Autechre who would leave your average KC fan in confusion. The problem with this band is it seems to be about reaching a peak experience through virtuoso playing of what are now quite arcane instruments. There is no progress in terms of sonic palate.
This doc aims to shed some light on what goes on behind the scenes in terms of the functioning of the band, the bands relationships, its history and live experience. It manages to explore some of these better than others. What it does not do however is delve particularly deeply into the psychology of Robert Fripp. Using my background however its clear that Fripp displays many traits of obsessive compulsive personality. Which appears to drive his unfulfilled drive towards perfection, his rigid rules and anger when these aims are frustrated. Of course perfection doesn't exist so its always a mission deemed to fail. There is also a need for control over others so its no surprise that relationships with band members have fractured. This doc however does not seem to ask the question of Fripp of whether he is actually aware of his personality flaws or whether he has made any attempts to change these, for the better of his emotional life and those around him. Which was baffling. Particularly when its so obvious what the issues are and that they are easily addressed. It seems this documentary was more keen to maintain the image of Fripp as some type of troubled genius that nobody can fathom. Is that because the film maker is too much of a fan?
If anything its the other band members past and present who make the biggest contribution, although it also seems they do not have a basic grasp of Fripps personality, some appeared damaged as a result.
Thankfully there was not much in the way of music, its a mainly talking heads affair which will suit non-fans more, as the music tends to sound like the soundtrack of a European low budget horror movie. I am thinking Goblin and Suspiria of course.
As for the KC peak experience, I doubt too many will get that watching this doc. While fans may initially warm to it, its actually quite surface level, there aren't many stand out moments, apart from one scene I had to actually check the video I was watching hadn't frozen. This one scene however explains why an in depth or revealing doc about Fripp will never be made. Its because he exerts so much control, particularly over himself, that at no point will he allow others to see below the surface. It would take a doc in which others who know him and free to talk will he be revealed. Talking of which, where was Toyah?