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The Power To Believe
by
The Power To Believe Image
Metascore
72

Generally favorable reviews - based on 8 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 24 Ratings

  • Summary: The veteran prog-rock outfit led by guitarist Robert Fripp returns with their first full album of new material in thee years.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 8
  3. Negative: 0 out of 8
  1. Rolling Stone
    80
    It is the sound of apocalypse now.
  2. Dusted Magazine
    80
    You can hear the absolute precision, yes; but the head and hands have not left the heart and soul behind.
  3. Amazon.com
    80
    Disciplined, varied, and often mind-blowing playing.
  4. Stylus Magazine
    65
    This material is as inconsistent as anything off their past few records, but when they do hit upon a good moment, it tends to be really good.
  5. Pitchfork
    63
    Fans of the mid-1970s lineup should find the most to enjoy on Power to Believe, as it not only finds King Crimson playing with muscular aggression similar to that period, but also revisiting the group improvisation that set them so far apart from other 70s prog bands.
  6. Q Magazine
    60
    A melange of preposterously angular guitar exercises, accomplished balladry and portentous doggerel. [Mar 2003, p.111]
    All this publication's reviews
  7. Blender
    60
    Crimson's current incarnation combines the sounds of previous editions, especially the early math-rock of the mid-'70s and the deft, Talking Heads-redolent Ph.D-funk of the early '80s. [#14, p.138]
    All this publication's reviews

See all 8 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 10
  3. Negative: 0 out of 10
  1. 6Sixtyniner9
    Sep 12, 2014
    10
    Excellent album. Superb execution. The best effort since Discipline. "Level 5" is a masterwork that only Fripp can compose. Maybe this is notExcellent album. Superb execution. The best effort since Discipline. "Level 5" is a masterwork that only Fripp can compose. Maybe this is not an album for the classic prog rock music fan. Sure it's an album for someone that appreciate good "outside the box" music of any genre.… Expand
  2. julienb
    Aug 1, 2003
    10
    Sigh what can I say? ok nothing...
  4. ChristopherB
    Dec 9, 2003
    10
    Abolutely anything done by King Crimson or any of its current or past members deserves hours and hours of dedicated listening. Each member is Abolutely anything done by King Crimson or any of its current or past members deserves hours and hours of dedicated listening. Each member is a virtuoso, and when assembled together, the result is music that is progressive, mathematical, intense, impossible, sometimes geniusly improvised, other times geniusly compoed, yet melodic and emotional. This album is particularly heavy and industrial-like at times, picking up where Construction of Light left off.… Expand
  5. TJudgeson
    Aug 23, 2003
    9
    KC at their best, the state which is synonymous with the word powerful. Many should hear this, many should find this, many should experience KC at their best, the state which is synonymous with the word powerful. Many should hear this, many should find this, many should experience this. Simply it's one of the best records this year.… Expand
  6. HippieBoy
    Feb 12, 2007
    9
    this is a really good album, although there are a few low points, or songs that don't work as good. The best part are the first 4 songs, this is a really good album, although there are a few low points, or songs that don't work as good. The best part are the first 4 songs, then a medium song "Facts of life" then a funny/catchy/good song "Happy with what you have to be happy with" the rest is mostly ethereal music, with great highs and various lows. Definitely recommended for younger audience.… Expand
  7. LeonardoNoaNoa
    Dec 6, 2003
    9
    finally a great album by one of the greatest rock band ever, so many so-so albums since Discipline, and now, the real thing...
  8. tOaDF
    Apr 14, 2003
    8
    The best one since Discipline in my opinion.

See all 10 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

43
#43 Most Shared Album of 2003

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