Flower Kings Appreciation Thread

Roland113 wrote:     Don't fear completion...if I may ask, which two are you missing?  Haven't heard Agents of Mercy yet.

I think Frequency is going to start shipping this month.  I haven't heard anything on a new Flower Kings album.

Ahh,  Good to know Cacho, I'll keep that in mind as I get new albums.

I pre ordered Frequency and Black Clouds, next on my list will probably be one of Phideaux' new CD's. 

Roj M30 wrote: Roland113 wrote:   Glad to hear that you like what you've heard from Frost*, let me know what you think of the album once you get it. Enjoy Tom   Milliontown arrived today, so I'll try and make sure I give it a good listen over the weekend.  Incidentally, my next prog gig is Dream Theater in June, and guess who the support band is?  Yep, it's Frost*!  How good is that?   I really must check out the Agents Of Mercy album too.  And some older Karmakanic.  And also get the last 2 TFK albums .  I'm almost dreading completing the collection of TFK; then I'll have no more new TFK to look forward to .   Incidentally, I agree wholeheartedly with CCVP.  Glass Hammer are great!   Nearly up to page 10 of this thread.  Way to go everybody .

Roj,

Ok, I'm jealous, I'd love Dream Theater and Frost*.  My understanding is that Frost* was originally asked to be part of the progressive nation tour this year but couldn't commit to the length of time.  The tour isn't coming to Pittsburgh, but I would have found a way to drive there if it was going to have Dream Theater, Frost and Pain of Salvation.  What a line up that would have been, add Zappa plays Zappa and heh, it would have rivaled 3RP for the most exciting show of the year.

Don't fear completion...if I may ask, which two are you missing?  Haven't heard Agents of Mercy yet.


CCVP,

I'm hit and miss with Glass Hammer.  I like what I've heard, but love very little of it.  They're what I describe as a "nice" band.  They're nice to listen to, they're nice background music to me.  They don't amaze me.

I'm going to see them this fall so I'm hoping the live show will spur me to a greater appreciation of them.  Last year, I came out of 3RP having a better appreciation of Nick DiVirgilo's singing, we'll hope for something similar with Glass Hammer this year.

infandous wrote: Okay everyone.  I've added a thread to the suggested bands forum for Agents Of Mercy.  I expect to see you all there cheering on it's inclusion on the archives

Edited by progrules - May 07 2009 at 00:48

Guys!

This is new on YouTube:

"Blade of Cain" live in 2005!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBbypNnWSKo

Watch in HQ - it's amazing!

Nov

Edited by Nov - May 06 2009 at 17:48

progrules wrote: infandous wrote: Well, let me chime in with my thoughts on Retropolis (a little late, I know).  It is my favorite Flower Kings album.  It's hard to explain why, but I think it's probably one of (if not THE) most retro FK albums.  This might be a bad thing, if it wasn't for the fact that the majority of the songs were written long before the Flower Kings existed, some of them in the 70's (according to Stolt anyway).  The title track wasn't, and neither were Tomas' contributions. As to mention of Agents of Mercy, I quite enjoy that album.  Very nice early Genesis vibe going on, very interesting and different vocals (for a Roine project anyway) and some nice melodies.  All in all, not as good as a Flower Kings album, but definetly enjoyable.  I'm wondering why it hasn't been added to the archives yet?  I actually submitted it myself thinking maybe no one had, but haven't heard anything about it since.   About Retropolis being the most retro: well, it's in the title so it's like kicking in an open door . Sorry, silly joke, no offense ! But according to the majority Sum of No Evil is their most retro album actually. It's probably a close call between those two.   And you're right: Agents of Mercy should be on PA ! Maybe we can start a thread on the suggested bands forumcategory and all support the idea. How about that ?

Well, to tell you the truth, I didn't even think of the title when I wrote that.....silly me
Sum doesn't really sound retro to me.  More so than the previous 2 or 3 albums I suppose though.  All of their albums are somewhat retro, as in they try to maintain the style and feel of 70's prog (though they add other elements of course).

Sounds like a good idea for Agents.  I'm in.

progrules wrote: cacho wrote: Hey guys! Been wanting to check some other modern Symphonic Prog bands, I already know the 'classics', as you already know, Flower Kings, Tangent, Transatlantic, Karmakanic... still need to check Spock's Beard... but still, any others? I was wondering about Frost*, or some others... EDIT: oh also I've checked some Glass Hammer, though it didn't click me, as well as IQ's latest stuff(Dark Matter)   Hey Pablo ! Always nice if someone asks for suggestions. But of course I will have to take your personal taste into account then and not just think about mine ! First: The four bands you mention along with TFK is not all in that specific corner. Have you heard about Agents of Mercy ? It's the latest project with Roine as initiator. It has to be another great effort. I only recently bought it but the rumours say it's great . I would check it out if I were you. And there's of course Tomas Bodin solo. Do you know any of his albums ? I know four of them and they are all great. If you want to go for something spectacular released this year: go for Martigan's latest called Vision. If you are in for some great neo prog with symphonic leanings: take this one. Highly recommended !

Ah, yeah, I know that the bands I mentioned aren't that similar to TFK, but I was reffering mainly to the modern Symphonic "wave", if possible from Sweden...

Anyways, those recomendations are stuff that I must check out! Thanks!

On a related side note, I have about 360 posts to date, 28 of them are on this thread...8% of my posts are right here.

Go team Flower Kings

Yeah, I'm a wienie.

Well, let me chime in with my thoughts on Retropolis (a little late, I know).  It is my favorite Flower Kings album.  It's hard to explain why, but I think it's probably one of (if not THE) most retro FK albums.  This might be a bad thing, if it wasn't for the fact that the majority of the songs were written long before the Flower Kings existed, some of them in the 70's (according to Stolt anyway).  The title track wasn't, and neither were Tomas' contributions.

Anyway, it was the first album of theirs I heard and it just had/has everything I love about prog all in one album.  I listened to it again recently and loved every minute of it.  Interestingly enough, I think "There Is More To This World" is actually my least favorite track on the album, though I still like it.  Anyway, it's probably sentimentality for me, as it was my first taste of the Kings.  I'd still say that Unfold is their best album, even if it's not my favorite (though I'd say it's easily number 2 or 3 on my favorites........haven't thought about how they stack up in a while, as they all have things I enjoy on them).

As to mention of Agents of Mercy, I quite enjoy that album.  Very nice early Genesis vibe going on, very interesting and different vocals (for a Roine project anyway) and some nice melodies.  All in all, not as good as a Flower Kings album, but definetly enjoyable.  I'm wondering why it hasn't been added to the archives yet?  I actually submitted it myself thinking maybe no one had, but haven't heard anything about it since.