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Roine Stolt, The Flower King and
arguably the godfather of modern Prog, releases his first
solo recording in six years and the fourth of his career counting
1994's "The Flower King". This is a two-disc set but editing
it to a single disc would have made for a stronger album and
left the listener hungry for more. However, that is not Roine's
style and sometimes his TFK output suffers from the same affliction.***
This is, admittedly, not a Prog
record. Here, Roine pays tribute to the music of his youth
- straight-ahead rock and blues with a little jazz thrown
in. It kind of reminds me a bit of what Steve Morse did with
his Major Impacts releases.***
Roine reveals to us his alter ego
- The Rocker. His lyrics, and his guitar, bite. Instead of
the sensitive, Flower King-seeking, new age Prog man, we meet
a man who is cynical and more than a little bitter. In veiled
commentary, he takes on the current U.S. administration and
the Iraq war with standard issue, Hollywood-style, left-wing
arguments. In fact, he is sounding very Daniel Gildenlow-like.
Roine even peppers his lyrics with a few expletives, and like
Bruce Springsteen last year, drops his first recorded F-bomb.***
In It'sAll About The Money, Roine
sings, "Too many towers have been struck down lately, Because
of decisions from the business chambers ". Is he referring
to the Twin Towers? I hope he is not laying blame for 9/11
on "greedy corporate America" thereby justifying the actions
of radical Islam. Say what you will about President Bush and
the War, but please do not trample on our collective memory
of what really happened on that day.***
With an album that pays homage
to the music of the '60's and '70's - a period scarred by
the memory of Nixon, Vietnam and social injustice which was
well documented by the music of the day - it is interesting
that Roine makes a record that reflects a world which finds
itself in similar circumstances today. Like Sting said, "history
will teach us nothing".***
Politics aside, there is some fine
music to be found here. Roine is sincere about this music
and he appears to be having some fun. *** Those of us who
have been debating the chops of new Flower Kings' drummer
Marcus Liliequist have plenty of opportunity here to listen
to his work. He is a competent rock drummer. No question should
remain about that. However, one still wonders how he will
do in the more elegant Prog arena. The wait will end in a
couple of weeks when the new Flower Kings CD is released.***
There may have been an opportunity
here for Roine to attract some rock guitar fans who have a
hard time with Prog. However, due to the length of most of
the songs, the average rock fan would probably lose interest.
Roine will have to be content with allowing the average Prog
fan a little diversion and cementing his reputation as all-around
first-rate talent. The amount of quality music this man has
produced in the last ten years is mind-blowing.
Stand out tracks:
"The Observer" - Nice
bluesy guitar work built on a traditional rock 'n roll riff
"Head Above Water" -
Starts of with a Cream-like wha
wha guitar line and vocal harmonies. Features Neal Morse on
lead vocals. Radio-friendly if this was 1972.
"Unforgiven" -
An ominous title given to otherwise
upbeat and catchy (and danceable) shuffle.
"Sex Kills" -
A rockin', first-class remake of
the Joni Mitchell song (I think I hear a cowbell!).
"Outcast" -
Soulful blues. I love Roine's voice
but this is made for someone like Robert Cray. Nice keyboard
work by Slim Pothead (widely thought to be Tomas Bodin).
"Remember" -
The follow-up single to Head Above
Water if this was 1972. Neal Morse sounds great here.
"Everybody is Trying to Sell
You Something" -
Roine slides into the 80's sounding
like Talking Heads in a weird way. Mercy -
A strange little tune but I like
it a lot. The acoustic guitar is so moving and sounds so lonely.
Reminds me of Stephen Stills.
Rating: 8.0/10.0
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