DRAMARAMA

This album really took some time to understand it. But, so I think, if there is Roine Stolt album must be great. I has not been really fascinated with the first Agents of Mercy album. It appeared to be boring in some ways, but then I get it. The same thing with this one.

Roine Stolt instead of doing new Flower Kings album continues to make some projects and coops. Since 2007 there was new Transatlantic, 3rd World Electric, now two Agents of Mercy and appearing on Karmakanic and Supernal Endgame albums. All of this releases are great, but the most weakest of all - Agents of Mercy.

The music on this one album maybe has more drive, but it still slow and intelligent. Music with no rush, with so many improvisations that, without doubts, will pass by your ears on the first several times of listening. Still it has its own very nice and catchy moments. I think the best songs are "Last Few Grains of Hope" and "The Ballad of Mary Chilton" and, maybe, "Cinnamon Tree". "Journey" has a good dream-solo but it would be too improvise for someone. The line from great "We Have Been Freed", with same lyrics like in the song's name, reminds me of Transatlantic's line "We have been blinded in our own hearts?" (just a coincidence). The first song also has a good melody as the some others (like "Meet Johnnie Walker"), but the mood of all album anyway is in the slow and tranquil dream melody and improvisation style.

Altogether, this album probably will be liked by the fans of Roine Stolt and The Flower Kings music. Because even with no knowledge of is there Roine Stolt on this album or not, you definitely can say that he made this music. Because you can hear it and recognized its styles, that you have heard on other projects. The album also has a wonderful dreamy bass by Reingold, and voice of Ned Sylvan sometimes too much resembles a great voice of Roine Stolt, and I sometimes can't say who is singing right now. I don't know why is that but this is a fact.

So, this is great album. 4 stars.

And all the world is waiting for the new Flower Kings. Roine, do not do another project till new TFK will come true!