The Elements of King Crimson
King Crimson · 2015
132 min · 29 tracks · progressive rock
A sonic tapestry weaving together live performances and studio extracts that showcase King Crimson's intricate compositions and improvisational prowess.
Top tracks — play these first
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I Talk to the Wind Start here — accessible entry with immediate hook
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21st Century Schizoid Man (live) — This live rendition captures the raw energy and improvisational spirit of King Crimson, highlighting their unique blend of jazz and rock influences.
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Starless (extract) — As one of King Crimson's most revered pieces, this extract conveys the haunting beauty and complex arrangements characteristic of their sound.
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Discipline — This track exemplifies the band's shift towards a more structured, rhythmic approach while maintaining their signature avant-garde style.
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Fracture (live) — The live performance showcases intricate guitar work and dynamic interplay between musicians, epitomizing King Crimson's prowess in live settings.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- dynamic exploration with peaks
- kaleidoscopic journey through evolution
- wave-like pacing with contrasts
- immersive live performance highlights
- intricate rhythms and haunting melodies
Maybe skip if you
- prefer straightforward song structures
- seek instant gratification tracks
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Deep Cut — A retrospective compilation showcasing diverse catalog, appealing mainly to dedicated fans.
- Themes
- avant-garde experimentation· live improvisation· psychedelic soundscapes
- Career context
- Released in 2015, The Elements of King Crimson serves as a retrospective compilation during a period of renewed activity for the band. This album arrived shortly after King Crimson's 2014 reunion, showcasing their evolution and experimentation from the late '60s through various incarnations, culminating in their modern sound.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Yes· Genesis· Frank Zappa
Tracklist
Disc 1
- 1 Wind Extract 0:30
- 2 I Talk to the Wind Start here 4:11
- 3 Cadence and Cascade 4:28
- 4 Cirkus (guitar extract) 0:14
- 5 Cirkus (live) 8:42
- 6 Hoodoo (extract) 0:22
- 7 Sailor’s Tale 6:12
- 8 The Talking Drum 6:42
- 9 Larks’ Tongues in Aspic, Part I (extract) 2:35
- 10 Larks’ Tongues in Aspic, Part I (extract, David/Jamie) 2:39
- 11 Fracture (live) 11:27
- 12 Fallen Angel (extract) (RF harmonics) 1:13
- 13 Fallen Angel 6:21
- 14 21st Century Schizoid Man (live) 8:26
- 15 Starless (extract) (Mark) 1:18
Disc 2
- 1 Discipline 5:02
- 2 Three Headed Doom (Part 1) 0:44
- 3 Neurotica (Manhattan) (live) 6:11
- 4 Neal and Jack and Me (extract) 1:43
- 5 Sleepless 5:18
- 6 Sex Sleep Eat Drink Dream (recording session) 4:56
- 7 THRAK (live) 8:59
- 8 Venturing Unto Joy (edit) 1:11
- 9 The Deception of the Thrush (live) 7:08
- 10 Heaven & Earth (early edit) 7:43
- 11 Level Five (live) 6:43
- 12 The Hell Hounds of Krim 0:55
- 13 Separation (edit) 2:40
- 14 A Scarcity of Miracles 7:31
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Phaedra
Tangerine Dream
Shares a similar psychedelic soundscape with expansive improvisational structures.
De-Loused in the Comatorium
The Mars Volta
Combines avant-garde experimentation with complex compositions and dynamic shifts.
Tago Mago
Can
Explores free-form improvisation and a progressive rock ethos, blending genres fluidly.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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