PARADOX HOTEL

If different albums represent different moments in the development of The Flower Kings, then 'Paradox Hotel' is their improvisation-meets-dreamy-soundscapes kind of release. The Swedes' ninth studio release is a striking double album, certainly one of the longest rock albums ever released, clocking in at 136 minutes, and is essentially a collection of compositions that unlike most of their other releases, features songwriting contributions by all band members. As for them, 'Paradox Hotel' sees the talents of Roine Stolt, Tomas Bodin, Jonas Reingold, Hasse Fröberg and Marcus Liliequist, in the sole time he appears behind the drum set on a TFK studio album. Hasse Bruniusson makes yet another guest appearance on one of the tracks, playing marimba and percussions.

Wandering and often meandering, also very creatively diverse, this 2006 release has gained a reputation of being one of the band's 'slower' albums, and in reality, it has many mellow, dreamy moments, definitely more than the preceding efforts of theirs, but these are evenly balanced with the more improvisational compositions, a side of the band's music that has been touched upon on 'Unfold the Future' and 'Retropolis' previously but this time TFK certainly go off the leash at full power. All this does not necessarily mean that this is a flawless album - first of all, the length of it is at least unnerving, so the average listener would insist that the music be more than excellent, should he invest the time to listen to this mammoth of an LP. Secondly, the band have obviously decided to focus on soundscapes, and sound design overall, adding many intermission-like instrumental passages that often drag the songs off for a bit too long, this is best felt on instrumentals like 'Pioneers of Aviation' or the final minutes of 'Bavarian Skies'. And finally, the big three-part 20-minute epic 'Monsters and Men' might be the most disappointing long song the band has ever recorded, as the emotional catharsis of something like 'Stardust We Are' is lacking, or the bottled-up wackiness of 'The Truth Will Set You Free', and certainly the absence of the adventurous and captivating nature of 'Love Supreme' and 'Drivers Seat' is felt.

Inasmuch as the band members have given themselves full freedom to do whatever they feel like doing (and this has resulted in them writing some of their best stuff), it has also led to an overflooding with content, and this feeling is starting to prevail around the end of disc one. Still, songs like 'Hit Me with a Hit', 'Lucy Had a Dream', 'Man of the World', 'The Unorthodox Dancing Lesson' and the title track are some of the most memorable and appealing achievements of 'Paradox Hotel', while peculiar entries like 'Bavarian Skies', 'Mommy Leave the Light On', 'Selfconsuming Fire' and 'Life Will Kill You' are a pleasant surprise to hear, as the band go to paths previously untrodden. It seems like it is the longer songs that are not contributing much to the overall better reception of this enormous album, and had it been spared of some of these, it would have probably been regarded more highly.

'Paradox Hotel' is above all challenging and just then entertaining. Sometimes it might be adventurous, sometimes it might be dull and drooling, but for the most part, it is a patience test for the listener, which does not mean it is a bad album. I believe this band is unable to release something terrible and unlistenable, yet 'Paradox Hotel' is just too long, and its lows overshadow its many highs, leaving the impression that there are better things to be found in The Flower Kings' catalogue.