CRIMSON TIDE

Indeed, THRAK is a lot airier and more disparate than the Discipline triumvirate of discs, which were intended to sound tightly wound. But Bruford isn't concerned that these variations will confuse younger fans unfamiliar with Crimson's earliest compositions. "The nature of art is to deal with change--change for the musicians who go into the band and leave the band, change in the way the audience sees the band, change in the context of the way the band is operating," he states. "King Crimson is not a static group that's designed to give you unending pleasure in a repetitive style--such as, say, the Rolling Stones, where there's a minimum of change allowed. And that seems entirely natural to me, because one of the strengths of King Crimson is its elusive quality. That's allowed it to make strong comments, if you like, from just on the sidelines of the mainstream.

"Of course, the band wishes to connect with free-thinking adults who are not completely boxed in to what's important or unimportant or commercial or successful. The only thing the band asks is that when you come to a concert, you leave your preconceptions in the lobby."

King Crimson. 7:30 p.m. Sunday, June 18, Ogden Theatre, 935 East Colfax, $25 (SOLD OUT), 830-2525 or 444-