PARADOX HOTEL

Since their very early days back in their world of adventures, "TFK" has been playing the same sort of music. Fully inspired by "Yes" and "Crimson". At times with skills and inspiration from their debut album up to "Stardust We Are". Later on, a good studio album will be released as well ("The Rainmaker ", "Unfold The Future") and a good live one as well ("Meet TFK").

I am not fully passionate with "TFK" music by now, but when I discovered their work some four years ago I was really charmed. By now, I consider them as a good band, but bu no means a trend-setter.

"TFK" will even limit the music lenght of this double CD set to "only" just over two hours. With some goods and some poor songs. A song like "Hit Me With A Hit" is a typical "TFK" song. Very nice vocal harmonies, fully "Yes" style.

Fillers ? Of course there are. The last four numbers of CD 1 are not really great. "Bavarian Skies" being the worse while "Mommy Leave The Light On" won't be remembered either as a fantastic song. But even if "Selfconsuming Fire" has a weak start, Roine performs a brilliant guitar solo in the middle part. I have been used to more fillers than that on most of the "TFK" albums. Of course the last one of this first CD( Room 111) is probably not well titled ("End On A High Note"). And yes, I quite like the epic song : "Monsters And Men". No novelty here, but a good and melodic work. All the "TFK" clichés can be found here but IMO it is not boring at all. Even its lenght is not a handicap. The highlight of this album.

Since "TFK" has always produced lenghty albums (being single or double ones), there is always a chance that the second disc would be "fillers" oriented. But "Minor Giant Steps" is another of the pleasant songs from "Paradox Hotel". A very nice and fully symphonic classic "TFK" song as "Touch My Heaven" whose jazzy and tranquil mood will be illuminated with a fantastic guitar break, full of emotion. I like it very much. A second highlight.

The instrumental "Unorthodox Dancinglesson" is weaker. Fully Crimson-esque : repetitive riff and some improv. A feeling of "déjà vu", since the band has produced quite a few of this genre. Not a filler but just average. But it is followed with a very melodic song; full of poetry and feeling. "Man Of The World" is indeed a very good song. On the mellow side but not only. Great vocal harmonies.

Some harder notes with "Life Will Kill You" which is not the best number out there. The hardness will be smoothen by "The Way The Waters Are Moving" a short and soft ballad. A bit flat and dull to be honest. The title track is a filler as well. Dull and noisy. Useless. Another one of my faves.

To summarize my feeling, I would say that this work is above average the standard "TFK" production. OK, it is somewhat lenghty, but that's another of their characteristics. I have always believed that if they would cut their albums by some thirty per cent, the appreciation of their work would have been slightly higher (but this is a personal feeling).

It is a good album and as such I will rate it with three stars.