They were joined by two American musicians: vocalist, guitarist and frontman Adrian Belew, previously a member of Frank Zappa and David Bowie's backing bands and a touring member of Talking Heads, and bassist, Chapman Stick player, and backing vocalist Tony Levin, a session musician Fripp had met while both were working with Peter Gabriel.

[2] The album introduced a new sound for the band, influenced by new wave, post-punk, minimalism and Indonesian gamelan music,[2][3] while retaining an experimental character, helping lay the groundwork for what would eventually become known as post-progressive rock.

[9] The lyrics of "Indiscipline" were adapted from a letter written to Adrian Belew by his then-wife Margaret concerning a painting that she had made, with all direct references to its subject removed.

John Piccarella's review in Rolling Stone praised King Crimson's talent and artistry, particularly Belew and Fripp's "visionary approach to guitar playing", but criticised the "arty content" of the album itself, hoping that "this band of virtuosos [would stay] together long enough to transform all of their experiments into innovations.

[28] Greg Prato's retrospective review in AllMusic commended the album's "inspired performances", particularly applauding the unexpectedly successful combination of Belew and Fripp's disparate playing styles.

"[18] Trouser Press characterised the album's songs as "unfolding musical sculptures, played with precision and rare imagination" and "a mostly successful synthesis of ambition, simplicity and Kraftwerkian clarity.