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Sweden’s The Flower Kings return
with a set that’s filled with good and bad songs. If you’re
into jam music you’ll enjoy it but if you’re looking for more
song orientated tunes—you’ll be bored to tears. Over the past
decade the band lead by guitarist/singer/composer Ronine Stolt
has crafted a series of positive powerful albums and “Adam
& Eve” continues the trend with ten tracks full of complex
guitar/keyboard interplay. The problem is that the music tends
to meander. “Love Supreme” clocks in at over 19 minutes and
immediately pulls you into the album but drags by the end
of it. . “Driver’s Seat” the second longest track at 18 minutes
features the band’s characteristic musical interplay but its
way too long and drawn out.
For those who insist that their
music get to the point, “Adam & Eve" might be a turn
off but for those who like something more than a 3 minute
pop song filled with histrionic wailing by American Idol wannabes,
“Adam & Eve” & "Love Supreme"will be a godsend.
***
The best songs here as with previous
albums brings together a winning combination of rich melodies,
complex musical structures and outstanding playing. “The Blades
of Cain” closes out the album using a fascinating percussive
grove that reminds me of Bill Brufford’s innovative work on
“Lark’s Tongue in Aspic” without the oppressive wall of sound
created by Robert Fripp’s crunchy guitar work. Here “The Blades
of Cain” leads into the sound of an almost pastoral sounding
acoustic guitar and an appealing melody. It would make an
interesting contrast to burn this track with “Lark’s” from
KC; it’s like comparing day to night. Most of the album though
(particularly the longer tracks) are meandering, pretenious
and boring. ---
Overall after listening to past FK music in the last
decade they still got the magic and that’s not something that
can be said about every rock band much less a prog. Unfortunately,
there are few prog bands that survive that long and continue
to make viable music. Bands such as King Crimson and Yes have
survived and flourished because of the constantly changing
line-ups of the band bringing in fresh musical ideas. The
Flower Kings unique signature continues to have the characteristic
influence of Gabriel era Genesis and Yes that the Flower Kings
have displayed since the start of their career but, as with
all things, these are integrated into the band’s own unique
style.
Despite the fact that there are
a number of fine songs here, this isn't the Flower Kings best
album. The jams undermine the quality of the album and Ronine
Stolt needs to go back to making music for his fans not for
himself. They pay the bills. Is this a worthwhile addition?
Honestly, it's ok and I wouldn't recommend this album to first
time listeners.
Final Words:
Overall after listening to past FK music in the last decade
they still got the magic and that’s not something that can
be said about every rock band much less a prog. Unfortunately,
there are few prog bands that survive that long and continue
to make viable music. Bands such as King Crimson and Yes have
survived and flourished because of the constantly changing
line-ups of the band bringing in fresh musical ideas. The
Flower Kings unique signature continues to have the characteristic
influence of Gabriel era Genesis and Yes.The Flower Kings
have displayed this style since the start of their career
but as with all things, these are integrated into the band’s
own unique style.
Their new cd "Paradox Hotel"is
released on "April 4" it's brilliant, one of their
best ever.
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