About TFK...

I have been ambivalent about the Flower Kings myself over the years, sometimes enjoying them, sometimes not.  But I have to say that their latest, Paradox Hotel, is absolutely stellar.    The way it flows along without a single note out of place is very enjoyable to listen to.  Unlike previous albums, none of the music is forced.   It all seems to come effiortlessly from their own vision.    It's almost as though they have found themselves with this album.  

I'm not a big fan of TFK, but I think that their best moments match those of Yes easily. 

Edited by Visitor13 - April 24 2006 at 14:43

Ivansfr0st: it's all right if you don't like TFK, but I only want to tell you that your opinion about pointlessness of their music was also my opinion the first time I listened to them, and even my first impression when I listen to a new work of theirs. But with several listenings I found myself seeing little by little a meaning in every note they play... and since this is what happens to me with all the greatest prog bands (e.g. I could see no meaning in CTTE the first 3-4 times I listened to it, but then it appeared to me slowly and it's great to find and appreciate new subtleties at every new listening) I started considering TFK in the prog olympus.
Of course if that is your opinion even after many listening is all right, you don't like TFK.
I will not die if TFK will never reach the top 100, if I like a band I don't mind much others opinion, I only wanted to know if anyone else had my same opinion because n. 330 is a REALLY low result... but I repeat: if this is people will, I'll accept that.
TFK importance in my opinion:
- great role in keeping alive symphonic prog nowadays, with obvious references to the 70s greats but also with great freshness and originality IMO;
- all top notch musicians;
- many solid album released;
- undoubtable high quality music, whether one may consider it as progressive or regressive.

Rorro: you're not alone, I love Adam&Eve too, I think Love Supreme, Driver's seat and Blade of Cain in particular are some of TFK best works

I like TFK a lot, and I don't mind if they are too much influenced by 70's or not, that's no reason for me to rate low an album is it contains quality music. But somewhat I agree with the fact of them not being in the top 100 with any album for the fact that none of their albums are really  five stars albums for me: they have very good albums like their debut, Space Revolver, or Paradox Hotel but they are not masterpieces, all of them contain excellent songs but also some simply good tracks, which I wouldn't call filler but they are not so excellent. If TFK had released only 2 or 3 albums in their career taking only their very best music and trowing away the average songs, that albums surely would be on top 100. But the fact is that they have released a bunch of albums, most of them good but no one deserving really five stars.

Edited by eddietrooper - April 24 2006 at 12:43

MikeEnRegalia wrote: Anyways, let's not argue too much about what we DON'T like.

ivansfr0st wrote: MikeEnRegalia wrote: ivansfr0st wrote: MikeEnRegalia wrote: ivansfr0st wrote: What exactly is their importance in the prog scene? Please explain.  -- Ivan They are one of the most popular bands and - together with Spock's Beard, Echolyn, Dream Theater etc - they are the door to the whole progressive music scene for many people. Honestly, do you really believe that a mainstream rock music fan would be able to immediately get into the really experimental bands? Some would, but most of them would be alienated and never touch prog again with a ten foot pole.        A band doesn't have to be all that over the top and experimental to appeal to a listener that hasn't been introduced to prog yet.   On the countrary, introducing someone to Progressive Music via TFK is both ironic and fatal - their chaotic songwriting that goes nowhere only intimidates the listener.    -- Ivan You have a somewhat extreme view regarding TFK ... that's ok, but you should respect that of others. And the overwhelming popularity of TFK in comparison to bands which are more "serious" and consistent (Anlagard comes to my mind) shows that very few people are being "intimidated" by them. BTW: I've always seen this unpredictability as one of the really great things about TFK.        I don't really thrust my opinion on anybody, but I take pride in expressing it. In addition, from my point of view, unpredictibility is not neseccarily a bad thing... as long as it makes sense. I find TFK's music to be senseless myself.    -- Ivan

I don't think at all that TFK's songwritting goes nowere

MikeEnRegalia wrote: ivansfr0st wrote: What exactly is their importance in the prog scene? Please explain.  -- Ivan They are one of the most popular bands and - together with Spock's Beard, Echolyn, Dream Theater etc - they are the door to the whole progressive music scene for many people. Honestly, do you really believe that a mainstream rock music fan would be able to immediately get into the really experimental bands? Some would, but most of them would be alienated and never touch prog again with a ten foot pole.

Adam & Eve is the only TFK album that I'm reluctant to listen to ... it just doesn't feel right. A solid album, but the usual chemistry between band members is missing IMO.

I think other TFK albums are better too, but i liked it, at first it got me bored too, but then i started to like it, first Love Supreme and Driver's Seat, then the other songs.