What does In the Wake of Poseidon sound like?

A labyrinthine mix of jazz-inflected rock and haunting melodies, enveloped in a shadowy atmosphere that beckons exploration. Rooted in progressive rock and psychedelic rock. Start with "Pictures of a City (including 42nd at Treadmill)".

Is In the Wake of Poseidon a good place to start with King Crimson?

Yes, In the Wake of Poseidon is recommended as a starting point for new King Crimson listeners. A labyrinthine mix of jazz-inflected rock and haunting melodies, enveloped in a shadowy atmosphere that beckons exploration. In the Wake of Poseidon is King Crimson's second album, released just a year after their groundbreaking debut, In the Court of the Crimson King. This follow-up came during a tumultuous time for the band, with key member Greg Lake leaving to join Emerson, Lake & Palmer. The album showcases a continued evolution of their progressive sound, marked by complex arrangements and intricate instrumentation.

Who is In the Wake of Poseidon for?

In the Wake of Poseidon works well if you're into haunting landscapes of sound, dynamic progression with resolution and wave-like pacing and shifts.

How many songs are on In the Wake of Poseidon?

In the Wake of Poseidon has 8 tracks, running approximately 41 minutes.

In the Wake of Poseidon

King Crimson · 1970

41 min · 8 tracks · progressive rock

A labyrinthine mix of jazz-inflected rock and haunting melodies, enveloped in a shadowy atmosphere that beckons exploration.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Pictures of a City (including 42nd at Treadmill) Start here — This track exemplifies the band's fusion of jazz and rock elements, featuring intricate guitar work and dynamic shifts that reflect urban chaos and isolation.
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In the Wake of Poseidon (including Libra's Theme) — The title track encapsulates the album’s thematic depth, weaving together orchestral arrangements with powerful lyrics about turmoil and transformation.
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Cat Food — With its playful yet dissonant sound, this track stands out for its whimsical lyrics and energetic performance, showcasing the band’s experimental approach to songwriting.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

68 /100

Alpine

Higher than 93% of albums we've rated

The album showcases ambitious compositions and intricate arrangements, making it a notable entry in progressive rock.

What we noticed

The album opens with a soft instrumental piece that sets a reflective tone, followed by tracks that alternate between complex arrangements and melodic sections.
Several tracks feature abrupt shifts in tempo and dynamics, particularly 'The Devil's Triangle,' which combines dissonant passages with more lyrical moments.
The use of layered instrumentation creates a dense soundscape, with frequent changes in texture that invite repeated listening to uncover details.

Composition 25% of the score: 8/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 8/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

haunting landscapes of sound
dynamic progression with resolution
wave-like pacing and shifts
immersive headphone detail exploration

Maybe skip if you

dislike complex melodic structures
prefer straightforward song formats

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — Solidified King Crimson's role in progressive rock after their debut.
Themes: jazz-infused chaos· post-1960s disillusionment· avant-garde experimentation
Moods: Dark· Introspective
Career context: In the Wake of Poseidon is King Crimson's second album, released just a year after their groundbreaking debut, In the Court of the Crimson King. This follow-up came during a tumultuous time for the band, with key member Greg Lake leaving to join Emerson, Lake & Palmer. The album showcases a continued evolution of their progressive sound, marked by complex arrangements and intricate instrumentation.
Stylistic neighbors: Yes· Genesis· Frank Zappa

New to King Crimson? Find your way in →

Tracklist

1 Peace: A Beginning 0:50
2 Pictures of a City (including 42nd at Treadmill) Start here 8:01
3 Cadence and Cascade 4:38
4 In the Wake of Poseidon (including Libra's Theme) 7:58
5 Peace: A Theme 1:15
6 Cat Food 4:52
7 The Devil's Triangle (including Merday Morn / Hand of Sceiron / Garden of Worm) 11:38
8 Peace: An End 1:53