Meltdown: Live in Mexico City
King Crimson · 2018
371 min · 64 tracks · progressive rock
A vibrant tapestry of intricate rhythms and soaring melodies, intertwining progressive rock with jazz sensibilities in a live setting.
Top tracks — play these first
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Walk On Start here — accessible entry with immediate hook
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Larks’ Tongues in Aspic, Part One — This track exemplifies King Crimson's signature sound through its shifting time signatures and intense instrumentation, showcasing their technical prowess and compositional depth.
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Epitaph — A hauntingly beautiful rendition, this song highlights the band's emotional range while also commenting on themes of existential dread that resonate deeply with audiences.
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21st Century Schizoid Man — As one of their most iconic songs, its inclusion demonstrates King Crimson's legacy while engaging listeners with its powerful commentary and explosive instrumentation.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album captures a complex live performance with strong cohesion and distinctiveness in its progressive rock sound.
What we noticed
- The album features a continuous flow of music with no breaks between tracks, creating an immersive live experience.
- Dynamic shifts in tempo and intensity occur frequently, keeping the listener engaged throughout the lengthy performance.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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8/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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9/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
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
- dynamic peaks and valleys
- intricate improvisational moments
- extended tracks for deep focus
- immersive live performance energy
- thought-provoking musical explorations
Maybe skip if you
- prefer concise, straightforward songs
- seek instant gratification
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Fan Favorite — Captures a wide range of King Crimson's catalog, appealing to dedicated fans.
- Themes
- Mexico City improvisation· progressive rock legacy
- Career context
- Released on January 1, 2018, 'Meltdown: Live in Mexico City' showcases King Crimson's enduring legacy as they continue to innovate within the progressive rock genre. This album arrives after their 2016 studio release 'Radical Action to Unseat the Hold of Monkey Mind,' marking a period of revitalization for the band and highlighting their dynamic live performance capabilities. The lineup features both familiar and new members, reflecting their commitment to evolution.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Yes· Genesis· Frank Zappa
Tracklist
Disc 1
- 1 Walk On Start here 3:46
- 2 Larks’ Tongues in Aspic, Part One 9:27
- 3 Neurotica 4:57
- 4 Cirkus 7:41
- 5 Dawn Song 2:19
- 6 Last Skirmish 6:10
- 7 Prince Rupert’s Lament 2:30
- 8 The Hell Hounds of Krim 3:42
- 9 Red 6:42
- 10 Fallen Angel 6:09
- 11 Islands 9:02
- 12 The Talking Drum 3:47
- 13 Larks’ Tongues in Aspic, Part Two 6:52
Disc 2
- 1 Indiscipline 8:19
- 2 The ConstruKction of Light 6:05
- 3 Epitaph 8:33
- 4 Banshee Legs Bell Hassle 1:39
- 5 Easy Money 9:56
- 6 Interlude 2:46
- 7 The Letters 6:12
- 8 The Sailor’s Tale 6:23
- 9 CatalytiKc No. 9 1:12
- 10 Meltdown 4:22
- 11 Radical Action II 2:28
- 12 Level Five 7:07
- 13 Starless 12:27
Disc 3
- 1 Peace – An End 2:13
- 2 Pictures of a City 8:21
- 3 Devil Dogs of Tessellation Row 3:10
- 4 Fracture 11:03
- 5 The Court of the Crimson King 7:03
- 6 Heroes 4:42
- 7 21st Century Schizoid Man 13:34
- 8 Discipline 5:29
- 9 Moonchild 2:24
- 10 Tony’s Cadenza 1:23
- 11 Jeremy’s Cadenza 1:05
- 12 Breathless 4:59
- 13 Cool Jam 2:31
Disc 4
- 1 Walk On Start here 3:28
- 2 Neurotica 4:51
- 3 Pictures of a City 8:23
- 4 Cirkus 7:34
- 5 Lizard (The Battle of Glass Tears – Part I – Dawn Song) 2:19
- 6 Lizard (The Battle of Glass Tears – Part II – Last Skirmish) 6:10
- 7 Lizard (The Battle of Glass Tears – Part III – Prince Rupert’s Lament) 2:26
- 8 Epitaph 8:31
- 9 Devil Dogs of Tessellation Row 3:09
- 10 Fracture 11:05
- 11 Islands 9:25
- 12 Intermission 0:45
- 13 Indiscipline 8:03
- 14 Peace – An End 1:56
- 15 Easy Money 9:55
- 16 Interlude 2:47
- 17 The Letters 6:13
- 18 The Sailors Tale 6:23
- 19 CatalytiKc No 9 1:13
- 20 Fallen Angel 6:00
- 21 The Talking Drum 3:48
- 22 Larks’ Tongues in Aspic, Part Two 6:51
- 23 Starless 13:24
- 24 The Hell Hounds of Krim 3:39
- 25 21st Century Schizoid Man 13:58
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Close to the Edge
Yes
Both albums feature complex structures and rich improvisation in a progressive rock context.
Hot Rats
Frank Zappa
Shares an adventurous spirit with intricate compositions and jazz-infused rock elements.
Frances the Mute
The Mars Volta
Both embrace a psychedelic approach with elaborate arrangements and a sense of musical exploration.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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