FANCLUB CD 2000

Well, we can't have any Flower Kings albums on this site without a review now, can we? So let me be the first, though I'm not sure there is a lot to be gained from writing or reading a review about a fan club only release that most likely isn't even available if you wanted to get a hold of it. But I'm going to do it anyway :-)

Realistically, none of these fan club albums should be rated above two stars because, well, they pretty much fit the definition of "Collectors/fans only". However, I feel I should rate them on their musical merits and nothing else. This particular album has the distinction of featuring the most complete full length version of the Flower Kings cover of Cinema Show (the one on Scanning the Greenhouse is a minute shorter, and the one on the Genesis tribute album is cut in half). Though the new compilation album will see this version in a remastered format in all it's 11:53 glory. Personally, I don't get excited about prog cover versions, as in every case I prefer the originals. This one is no different, though the Kings definitely do it justice. This album features another cover, this one more interesting in the form of the Beatles Across the Universe. This is very little like the original and a quite interesting take on the song. If not for the melody and lyrics, one might be forgiving for thinking it was a different song altogether.

There are also two interesting songs, one quite painfully beautiful (My Longing Was Still There) by friend of the band Per Nordin. Hasse Bruniusson contributes two tracks of his own, presumably with the other band members as backing but I have no idea. These are interesting songs giving a taste of what was to come on his Flying Food Circus release. Roine's brother Michael (who plays the bass on here.........Jonas was not in the band at this point in spite of the incorrect listing above) contributes two incredibly sappy and lame pop ballads. The other song is Tomas Bodin's Return Of The Giant Monkey Boy which sounds like more typical Flower Kings fair, if more like a cutting room floor leftover than a real song.

All in all, not a bad CD, but one you probably can't get even if you want it. So while I personally give it a 3, 2.75 is probably closer to the truth and the description for a 2 star album fits this perfectly.