Flower Kings Appreciation Thread

progrules wrote: infandous wrote: Finally, to Progrules, I should mention that all those reviews were written over the past several years........but were posted before I figured out how to have my name be a link to my profile page.  So they were all missing.  I had wanted to rewrite and edit many of them, so I decided to do it.  So, yes, I cheated a little   (but, in my defense, some of them, like Flower Power, are considerably more detailed than they were originally)   Like I suggested I made a recommendation for you in the collaborator zone but the only one who reacted was Cacho stating exactly what you are saying in the above statement. Personally I don't really care how someone posts his reviews as long as they post them, especially if they are about TFK and related ! Talking about TFK related: I saw your review about I AM by Tomas and noticed you gave it 5 stars. Slightly overdone maybe but it surely is a great album. I always wondered how someone could pick an avatar and not even review the album, but there it was (finally)

Yeah, well again, that I AM review was done back around 2006 or so.  I fleshed it out a bit and posted it under my current alias.  I understand why Catcho would bring that up, but I also think it's kind of unfair that I had all those reviews written, but none of them are associated with my "official" profile page and review listings.  That is why I'm updating and re-submitting so many of them.  I DO feel a bit guilty since they are, for the most part, not new (I'm also skewing the ratings......but I'd be quite happy if the admins would delete the old ones from the system.....something that may not be easy for them to do so I haven't asked).  But I also want them to show up in my profile page and be editable.

In any case, I don't mind if they don't promote me for whatever reasons.  I'm just happy the site exists and that I can contribute in my own small and insignificant way

As to I AM, I don't think 5 stars is overdoing it at all.  I don't give a lot of 5 stars (though I don't give many 1 or 2 stars at all either), but that album just moves me on a very personal level, musically and lyrically.  So I had to do it (my original review gave it 4 stars, but 3 + years later, I think it deserves the full 5 as I still listen to it more than some Flower Kings albums).




Edited by infandous - May 22 2009 at 07:10

Interesting Unfold discussion.

Even though it's not my favorite FK album, I think it's their best.  It's the most diverse and, yes,  the most mature composition-wise.  It's certainly the only album that reflects their live show properly (they always do improv in the live shows, and they are always looser live.......even when they had Salazar, and even on Instant Delivery, though that last is certaily the least loose to my ears).

But the main thing I think for me is that it is their first album that doesn't remind me of other bands or have overt references to them (the chorus of The Truth being an exception, sounding very much like Yes).  I feel like it was the album where their style came into it's own really.

Of course, I like the earlier albums better.  But that doesn't mean Unfold wasn't a huge step up for them.  It's a peak I don't imagine they will ever hit again (of course, I still love everything they have done and will probably love whatever they come up with next).

infandous wrote: Interesting Unfold discussion. Even though it's not my favorite FK album, I think it's their best.  It's the most diverse and, yes,  the most mature composition-wise.  It's certainly the only album that reflects their live show properly (they always do improv in the live shows, and they are always looser live.......even when they had Salazar, and even on Instant Delivery, though that last is certaily the least loose to my ears). But the main thing I think for me is that it is their first album that doesn't remind me of other bands or have overt references to them (the chorus of The Truth being an exception, sounding very much like Yes).  I feel like it was the album where their style came into it's own really. Of course, I like the earlier albums better.  But that doesn't mean Unfold wasn't a huge step up for them.  It's a peak I don't imagine they will ever hit again (of course, I still love everything they have done and will probably love whatever they come up with next).

Very much my exact thoughts

^ha, glad we agree on that!

However, I'm not the proper one to say it's their most mature one, since I still haven't heard Stardust nor Flower Power, so...you might be right on that

A little late my contribution to the Unfold discussion; well it's not going to be a true participation to the discussion but I just wanted to drop this interesting experience. Since a few days I'm occasionally listening to Morow.com and yesterday evening I heard the whole, yes indeed the ENTIRE Truth will set you free there (31 minutes !). Great experience to hear that on this internet radio. Somehow it seems different from playing it from your own CD, I don't know why.

progkidjoel wrote: Can someone please reccomend a good begginer's album from The Flower Kings? I'm buying a CD for my dad as a thankyou for him buying me about 12 Marillion albums on eBay in the last 3 months, and I've heard alot of good about this band. He usually listens to Symphonic prog, mainly YES, Genesis and ELP, but he also LOVED "This Strange Engine" by Marillion, and also really enjoyed his birthday gift (From a loving son) of Porcupine "Tree's Stupid Dream"... thanks for all help, -Joel G

Roj M30 wrote: progkidjoel wrote: Can someone please reccomend a good begginer's album from The Flower Kings? I'm buying a CD for my dad as a thankyou for him buying me about 12 Marillion albums on eBay in the last 3 months, and I've heard alot of good about this band. He usually listens to Symphonic prog, mainly YES, Genesis and ELP, but he also LOVED "This Strange Engine" by Marillion, and also really enjoyed his birthday gift (From a loving son) of Porcupine "Tree's Stupid Dream"... thanks for all help, -Joel G   Well Joel, my recommendation would be definitely Space Revolver.  It's a consistently brilliant album and I found it very accessible (some TFK albums take quite a few spins to "get into").  The material is varied, mainly symphonic but with jazzy interludes and some truly stunning ambient parts.  Also, it's a single disc so may be the best starter. I find it hard to imagine how any true prog fan could NOT find something to love on this album.   I personally started with Stardust We Are, and that's my favourite TFK album, but for a smaller package that's very high on quality and consistency, I'd recommend Space Revolver.  I'd be interested to see what the rest of the fanboys think!

Strangely enough, I agree with this recommendation

I would be inclined to suggest Retropolis, because that was my first and it hooked me completely on just one listen, but I get the sense that other folks don't hold it in nearly as high esteem as I do.  And Space Revolver is just an all around great introduction to the band, having lots of variety and some of their best songs (and I can't imagine any Yes fan that wouldn't love the finale of I AM THE SUN).

progkidjoel wrote: Can someone please reccomend a good begginer's album from The Flower Kings? I'm buying a CD for my dad as a thankyou for him buying me about 12 Marillion albums on eBay in the last 3 months, and I've heard alot of good about this band. He usually listens to Symphonic prog, mainly YES, Genesis and ELP, but he also LOVED "This Strange Engine" by Marillion, and also really enjoyed his birthday gift (From a loving son) of Porcupine "Tree's Stupid Dream"... thanks for all help, -Joel G

Good for you Roj, I don't think you'll be disappointed.

Adam and Eve is actually growing on me, though it's still in my lower echelon of Flower King CD's.

Flower Power I've really been enjoying lately.

Speaking of things in my mailbox . . . Frequency arrived the other day, I've given it a few listens and have a mixed review so far.  Some songs are great, other songs are unremarkable to my ears.  The look of the CD is great and the extra DVD is a lot of fun.  Great live version of The Seventh House on it.

Roj M30 wrote: Well the final two TFK albums have arrived in Roj's mail box.   Adam & Eve has been given a spin, and on first hearing, contrary to most opinion I'm really impressed.  I wasn't expecting too much, as there is only really Pablo who rates this one highly, but initially I love it.   Love Supreme made a really big impression on me straight away.  Strong Yes influence but a really great piece.  There's not many epics by TFK that have hit me first time but this is one of them.  It all appeared to dovetail together really well, very cohesive.  Driver's Seat, Babylon and A Vampire's View are really good too.   Next, and finally, it's the megathon that is Flower Power........... It will have to wait though as I won't get much listening time this week!!

Enjoy my friend!!

Adam & Eve is indeed a great album, and as you know and mentioned, I love it. Tell us what you think of Flower Power after you've listened to it, as you know, I still need to get it, though not sure if I will