SECOND NATURE

Second Nature was a surprise to me and took a couple of listens to fully enjoy the album and respect its potential. Flying Colors is an arrangement of musicians I highly regard, and throwing in a pop-rock flare with the typical proggy-rock is a refreshing move. With less nasally vocals common in current Neo and Symphonic prog styles held back, which often turn me away from many respectable bands such as Marrillion, Pallas, IQ, and even Neal Morse's solo works, Flying Colors is a fresh sound. With that positive, Flying Colors is a band I've come to really enjoy. Second Nature, the second album to Flying Colors career, is a step in a good direction where a unique sound is solidifying and old cliches from Portnoy's prog-metal and Morse's Neo/Symphonic prog are sifting away. A third album could be expected to be even better.

Compared to their debut album Second Nature is a better listen. There's still a drag halfway through the album where the songs sound generic or bland. But stand alone songs such as Mask Machine, Lost Without You, One Lost Forever, and Cosmic Symphony will make the purchase and the inclusion in your prog-rock collection well worth the investment. I think there are enough prog features to find enjoyment in every song, but these four in particular stood out to me on first listen and I deemed the album worthy of further listening. The other songs, like Bombs Away, Peaceful Harbor, and such are still good listens but not as engaging as I would've hoped. Therefore, with such drawn enjoyment from the album I'd give it a 4/5, deeming this a worthy and excellent addition into not just a prog collection, but any. One nice feature about Flying Colors if is you're in a proggy mood but surrounded by less musically inclined company, Flying Colors has songs that help bridge that gap so everyone is at least in consensus and someone isn't leaning behind the couch saying, "The crap is this we're listening to?"

In conclusion the album is top-notch and fun. It explores a new style and is emotionally moving in portions too. If you were to purchase only one song from the album, Mask Machine I thought was phenomenal, and even if the rest of the album was garbage I would have to say that song made the purchase worth the dime. 4/5, excellent addition to any rock collection.