King Crimson - Sleepless: The Concise King Crimson (1993)

Having just released Frame by Frame compilation two years before, this compilation was actually released not at the right timing even though the songs featured were quite representative for the band. This might be considered as budget boxset for those who missed Frame by Frame. Newbie would see the change of music direction starting from track 9 Elephant Talk onwards. In terms of music style, this compilation starts from high drive 21st century schizoid man with its heavy guitar riffs, dynamic combined work of bass guitar, drum, guitar and mellotron to Epitaph with its dark mellow nuance. In the court of the Crimson King continues the style of Epitaph and it provides a complete picture to newbie on how King Crimson sounded at the beginning of their career. Cat food (edit) would provide another style of Crimson sound followed with Ladies of the road in similar vein. Starless (abridged) is a great introduction to another bluesy dark prog style of the band. The listeners will get surprised with the entry of Elephant talk which sounds very differently with previous eight tracks.