The 21st Century Guide to King Crimson – Volume One – 1969–1974 cover

The 21st Century Guide to King Crimson – Volume One – 1969–1974

King Crimson · 2004

308 min · 47 tracks · progressive rock · psychedelic rock · art rock

A kaleidoscopic journey through progressive rock’s most intricate and ambitious soundscapes.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • dynamic progression with peaks
  • kaleidoscopic sound exploration
  • wave-like pacing throughout
  • immersive headphone detail hunting
  • for deep listening sessions

Maybe skip if you want

  • prefer straightforward song structures
  • seek instant gratification tracks

Where this album fits

Career context
Released in 2004, this compilation marks King Crimson's retrospective of their influential years from 1969 to 1974. At this time, the band had undergone numerous lineup changes and stylistic shifts, with a legacy firmly established as pioneers of progressive rock. The album serves as a bridge between their early experimental work and later projects, highlighting the band's evolution.
Stylistic neighbors
Yes· Genesis· Frank Zappa

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

Disc 1

  • 1 21st Century Schizoid Man 7:24
  • 2 I Talk to the Wind 6:05
  • 3 Epitaph 8:48
  • 4 Moonchild 3:38
  • 5 The Court of the Crimson King 9:28
  • 6 Peace – A Theme 1:15
  • 7 Cat Food 4:52
  • 8 Groon 3:32
  • 9 Cadence and Cascade 4:38
  • 10 In the Wake of Poseidon (instrumental edit) 4:03
  • 11 Ladies of the Road 5:30
  • 12 Sailor’s Tale (abridged) 7:19
  • 13 Islands (instrumental edit) 5:31
  • 14 Tuning Up 0:49
  • 15 Bolero 6:25

Disc 2

  • 1 The Court of the Crimson King 6:55
  • 2 A Man, a City 12:10
  • 3 21st Century Schizoid Man 7:31
  • 4 Get Thy Bearings 10:54
  • 5 Mars 6:41
  • 6 Pictures of a City 8:45
  • 7 The Letters 4:29
  • 8 The Sailor’s Tale 4:49
  • 9 Groon 6:44
  • 10 21st Century Schizoid Man (instrumental) 9:47

Disc 3

  • 1 Larks’ Tongues in Aspic, Part I (abridged) 10:46
  • 2 Book of Saturday 2:52
  • 3 Easy Money 8:01
  • 4 Larks’ Tongues in Aspic, Part II 7:12
  • 5 The Night Watch 4:41
  • 6 The Great Deceiver 4:02
  • 7 Fracture 11:12
  • 8 Starless (abridged) 4:36
  • 9 Red 6:16
  • 10 Fallen Angel 6:03
  • 11 One More Red Nightmare 7:07

Disc 4

  • 1 Asbury Park 7:00
  • 2 The Talking Drum 5:45
  • 3 Larks’ Tongues in Aspic, Part Two 6:29
  • 4 Lament 4:18
  • 5 We’ll Let You Know / Improv: Augsburg 5:22
  • 6 Exiles (abridged) 5:52
  • 7 Easy Money 9:12
  • 8 Providence 10:01
  • 9 Starless and Bible Black 9:22
  • 10 21st Century Schizoid Man 8:16
  • 11 Trio 5:49

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata