| The
Review |
Swedish Prog Legends The Flower
Kings return to the fold with their latest release "Paradox
Hotel" and a true paradox it is. But before we get into that,
a bit of history.
I saw the Flower Kings on September
12th, 2001 (yes, the very day after the WTC attacks), and
as somber of a mood we all we're in, the Flower Kings made
us smile. They did it with moving music that ATTACKED our
senses. That is what made the Flower Kings just so damn good.
I remember sitting in a small brew-pub in Cincinnati, Ohio.
I had this huge grin on my face and vocalist Hans Froberg
just looked at me and was all smiles too cuz he knew that
I actually GOT it. I knew what they were trying to do. It
hit me. It got INTO me.
Fast foward to 2002's "Unfold The
Future" and it unfortunately seemed as though the Mighty Kings
were running out of ideas. Although there were a few good
tunes on the 2CD set, the music itself took on a much more
jazzy and improvisational approach. It seemed that we were
dealing with a very different band. While that is cool for
a band like the FK's to experiment, some of us were lost in
the shuffle. 2004's "Adam and Eve" came along with more of
the same; jazzy, long jammy tunes that seemed to lack the
luster and symphonic texture of the Kings' past recordings.
In short, much of those two albums didn't MOVE me.
Now back to the present. The paradox.
Paradox Hotel is a return to form.
Back are the symphonic, grandiose, melodic, and dynamic tunes
we have come to know these guys for. Theme and variations
abound, this is what we love about this incredible band. Whats
more is the use of LOTS more vintage and analog keyboards
(Mellotron, Hammond, Moog), for that old school symphonic
prog feel. Some long songs, some short...all sorts of styles
all melded into one sound that is unique to the FK's. The
quirky Beatlesque thing is here too, along with the occasional
experimental, jazzy, jammy approach that was so prominent
on their albums of late. However, the bulk majority of the
album stands squarely in the realm of what made albums like
"Stardust We Are" and "Space Revolver" so damn killer.
Stolt describes this as the bands
"White Album", and I hope that this disc stands the test of
time as such because it has all the right ingredients to be
a legendary disc not only in the FK's catalogue, but progressive
music in general.
The Flower Kings are back and sounding
better than ever. Standout tracks include "Pioneers Of Aviation"
with it's rousing pipe organ passages, "Check In", a traditional
theme and variations prog epic, the wild and quirky "Unothrodox
Dancinglesson", not in the least, the Yes-like "Minor Giant
Steps".
This is a 2 Disc set that keeps
your attention, full of melodies that get into your soul and
refuse to leave. You might as well get that multi-disc cd
changer you've been thinking about cuz this one won't leave
the slot for a LONG time.
Trust me, get it.
Eric Louis
|
