ENTERING THE SPECTRA

If you are willing to listen to a "Flower Kings" song without listening to "The Flower Kings", you'll just need to grab this album and enjoy "Entering The Spectra". No wonder though since this Tomas Bodin work regroups the line-up of this good Swedish band.

You got it all here: jazzy parts, symphonic architecture, fine Roine vocals (but not exclusively him), splendid guitar and so on. I told you?The highlight of this album. Environment changes with the heavy "Spirit Remains The Same" which is quite unexpected (I mean the heavy side). But, this album do sound more metal oriented than a traditional TFK effort (which doesn't hurt since this is not a TFK album?).

Another heavier example is the dynamic "Cyberdust From Mars". A bit too noisy to my taste even if Roine's vocals are quite effective. Some metal oriented and bombastic "Space Race" is more of my likings?even if the backing vocals and the overall sound reminds me very much of an Ayreon type of song.

IMO, this album is rather (prog) metal oriented. Most songs are leaning towards this genre: "One Whole Half" is another one. Still, it is combined with a solid jazz feel as well. Maybe too much jam-oriented and loose. The weakest part of this offering as far as I'm concerned.

Another fave is splendidly melodic "Is This The End". Fortunately not! It is a true gem, fully in line with the most beautiful TFK partitions. Emotional vocals, superb guitar bombastic feel etc. Another highlight.

This album seriously head in the prog metal direction (except for twenty minutes ? two songs). But after all, it is not a bad idea to explore new territories since this is a side project. Three stars.