SCANNING THE GREENHOUSE

*Track list (MUSEA LC-09709): In The Eyes of The World (10:38) / World of Adventures (13:37) / The Flower Kings (Re-recorded 1998 version) (11:40) / There Is More To This World / Stardust We Are Part 3 (Re-recorded 1998 version) (8:56) / Retropolis (11:10) / Cinema Show (11:10) (Bonus Title). *

[Note: My CD version is totally different with this one listed in this page. I'm also surprised that this album has been reviewed by two reviewers before me but there is no write-up. I think It's definitely minimum FOUR STARS rating for this compilation!]

Why bother buying a compilation CD if I have all the full album of the band? Quite honest with you, my chief reason (the only one, indeed) is the cover of Genesis classic "Cinema Show" as bonus title. I had long been awaiting to have this CD since my progmate lent me the JAPAN version of this compilation that has "Cinema Show" as bonus. I could not afford to buy the Japanese edition - damn expensive man! But this Musea release has now contained this Cinema Show. So I bought it jus couple weeks ago with a reasonable price - unlike the unbelievable Japan version. Why this Genesis track has become my chief reason? It's a fantastic cover version! It's slightly better than any version performed by Genesis!

This compilation covers fine selection of the band's recordings from 1995-1998. For those of you who are new to the band, I would suggest you buy this as "teaser" for the band's music. It's a great introduction, I would say. All songs in this compilation are excellent! But, bear with me that there are many and many great songs of the band that are not featured in this compilation. If you enjoy this CD, it's a MUST that you have all albums of TFK.

All The Great Tracks

"In The Eyes of The World" opens beautifully with a high driving rhythm section dominated with excellent keyboard work ! It flows in ambient style with relatively fast tempo augmented with excellent guitar fills and powerful drumming. The music is relatively complex but it's very energetic and uplifting. The kind of track that you want to hear after getting up in the morning (like what I did this morning as well). The guitar solo is stunning; the vocals are really powerful. It's a track with wonderful composition that you surely don't want to miss!

"World Of Adventure" kicks off with a sort of ambient, spacey keyboard and piano sounds. It then flows nicely with choirs line followed with full music when all instruments play at the same time. The guitar part at the beginning is played in rhythm style with soft riffs. Keyboard flows nicely altogether with bass line. The music flows from moderate to faster tempo with some transitions. In the middle of the track I can sense clearly the sound of Genesis' "The Fountain of Salmacis" of Nursery Cryme album. This happens with the keyboard sound at approximately minute 7:58. It's a complex but very interesting and enjoyable track!

"The Flower Kings" (Re-recorded 1998 version) is another excellent track that flows in melodic style. The music starts ambient and flows in medium tempo with firm bass line followed with low register singing style. The chorus part is where people would like to emulate while listening to this song. The guitar solo is accompanied at first with an intermittent music and heavy bass line. At the end of guitar solo, keyboard continues its solo venture with some (nice) effects. The intertwining sounds of guitar and keyboard result in excellent harmony sounds. The tempo of this track is maintained at relatively same pace - only in some portion on the second passage of guitar solo the tempo has increased slightly. Overall, this is the kind of song that you want to emulate after listening to it. Beautiful composition.

The opening of "There Is More To This World" reminds me to the musical "nuance" of Genesis "Wind and Wuthering" album. (Don't get me wrong: I don't mean that there is any similarity with Genesis, melody-wise or composition-wise). But when the voice enters the music, it's definitely the sound of The Flower Kings music. It provides the right balance of guitar and keyboard solos with great rhythm section of bass guitar and drums (I like the drumming style really!). The ending part of this track is mellow with acoustic guitar and vocal. It turns to full music but still in slow tempo style.

"Stardust We Are - Part 3" starts with a short exploration of keyboard work augmented with guitar. The lyrical part enters the music in mellow style accompanied with piano sounds The music turns slowly and firmly into a more massive music with faster tempo. There is some kind of fanfare music during the non-lyrical part that has enriched the textures of this song.

"Retropolis" is taken from album with the same title. It's a great album that deserves great review. The opening features symphonic style of guitar followed with a nice transition in the form of string orchestra. The music then turns into a solid passage with excellent bass guitar and stunning guitar solo. The organ fills in the music at background during guitar solo. The organ then takes the lead of solo.The music then turns into quieter passage in avant-garde style before it finally returns back to the original rhythm section. There is a significant jazz influence. The inclusion of Chinese music during transition at the ending part is fantastic.

Genesis' "Cinema Show " is covered by the band wonderfully. In away it's better than any other version performed by Genesis (my view). The live version in "Seconds Out: is unique because it features Bill Bruford drum solo even though it's very short. This version by TFK is much dynamic. This is especially true during the interlude part where the band performs lively with great combination of keyboard, guitar, drums and bass sounds. It's an excellent cover! Great job, guys!!

Overall Recommendation

It's a masterpiece compilation of prog tracks from the band's finest selection even though there are still many great tracks of the band that are not included in this CD. However, this CD is a great introduction to the band if you are new to The Flower Kings. In addtion, I love the sonic quality of this CD. If I play it loud I got a very solid sound produced. Keep on progging!

Progressively yours,

GW - Indonesia

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