The Condensed 21st Century Guide to King Crimson cover

Released 20 years ago

The Condensed 21st Century Guide to King Crimson

King Crimson · 2006

159 min · 32 tracks · progressive rock · psychedelic rock · art rock

A kaleidoscopic journey through complex rhythms, haunting melodies, and avant-garde structures that define King Crimson's legacy.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • dynamic progression with peaks
  • kaleidoscopic journey through melodies
  • wave-like pacing for deep focus
  • engaging complexity in every track
  • epic tracks for patient listeners

Maybe skip if you want

  • prefer straightforward, short songs
  • seek instant gratification from music

Where this album fits

Career context
Released in 2006, 'The Condensed 21st Century Guide to King Crimson' arrives during a period of revitalization for the band after their 2003 reunion. This compilation serves as a retrospective of their influential work across multiple decades, emphasizing their evolution from progressive rock pioneers to experimental stalwarts.
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 7:23
  • 2 Epitaph 8:55
  • 3 In the Court of the Crimson King (abridged) 7:17
  • 4 Cat Food (single version) 2:48
  • 5 Cadence and Cascade 4:37
  • 6 Ladies of the Road 5:30
  • 7 Sailor’s Tale (abridged) 7:03
  • 8 Larks’ Tongues in Aspic, Part 1 (abridged) 6:42
  • 9 Book of Saturday 2:50
  • 10 Fracture (abridged) 10:05
  • 11 Starless (abridged) 4:37
  • 12 Red 6:16
  • 13 Fallen Angel 5:55

Disc 2

  • 1 Elephant Talk 4:44
  • 2 Frame by Frame 5:08
  • 3 Matte Kudasai 3:46
  • 4 Discipline 5:03
  • 5 Heartbeat 3:54
  • 6 Waiting Man 4:26
  • 7 Neurotica 4:50
  • 8 Three of a Perfect Pair 4:11
  • 9 Sleepless (abridged) 4:36
  • 10 VROOOM 4:38
  • 11 Coda: Marine 475 (abridged) 2:05
  • 12 Dinosaur (single version) 5:19
  • 13 Sex Sleep Eat Drink Dream 4:49
  • 14 Power to Believe I 0:44
  • 15 Level Five 7:17
  • 16 Eyes Wide Open 4:09
  • 17 Happy With What You Have to Be Happy With (EP version abridged) 3:45
  • 18 Power to Believe III 4:10
  • 19 Power to Believe IV 2:22

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata