On March 24, 1984, the third album in the Fripp, Bruford, Levin, Belew trilogy, "Three of a Perfect Pair" was released. The importance of Belew's song writing is even more in evidence on this album. The title song, "Sleepless" and "Man With An Open Heart" are all somewhat pop-oriented in comparison to past KC work, although with a distinctive Crimson sound. Indeed, "Man With An Open Heart" is indicative of KC's use of varying world influences: Oriental, African and Indian motifs.
An instrumental called "Larks' Tongues In Aspic, Part III" closes out the album (and 1980's King Crimson) with an appropriate reference to this past work of greatness. Certainly Fripp intended this as 'closure', as it was clear that he had grown dissatisfied once again with group dynamics. It is not known publicly how mutual the dissatisfaction was.
The Songs:Model Man
Sleepless
Man with an Open Heart
Nuages
Industry
Dig Me
No Warning
Larks'Tongues in Aspic, Part 3
Certainly, Bill Bruford had cause to be wary of Fripp's intent to re-form the band again in light of the sudden disintegration in 1974. Bruford publicly recounted how carefully the other band members were with Fripp during rehearsals from the very beginning, fearful that a wrong note or un-welcome opinion would end everything. Fripp had always been very
critical of the former Yes-man's drumming: ironic given the fact that Bill Bruford is truly a drummer's drummer, one of the most respected in the world, and the man who left Yes when the band was on the verge of super-stardom in order to join King Crimson and do what he believed in.
Musicians:
Robert Fripp: Guitars and Frippertronics
Adrian Belew: Guitar and Lead Vocal
Tony Levin: Bass and Stick
Bill Bruford: Drums
