Flower Kings Appreciation Thread

Who's The Boss is an incredible album and I appreciate it more with each and every listen. I'm really enjoying The Whirlwind now, and especially the second disc - what a band.

Shame about the TFK news, but, hopefully, when a new album comes out, it will be more the special for the time lapse, although, as regulars to this thread know, I only brought the entire back catalogue last year, so I am a relative newcomer to the band in terms of the depth of their work. Have to say, though, one of the best purchases I ever made - incredible band, so thanks all

Keyholder is the only Kaipa album I have as of now. I've really enjoyed it as well, and I've determined that I REALLY need more Kaipa.

-Jeff

Roland113 wrote: rushfan4 wrote: There is also the 3rd World Electric jazz album, and a Weaveworld album with Jonas and his keyboardist from Karmakanic.  Damn damn damn . . . there's so much good music out there that I can't afford. 3rd World isn't my thing but that's only because it's a little too jazz oriented for my particular tastes. Weaveworld on the other hand is something that I want to get sooner than later.  The keyboardist from Karmakanic, Lalle Larsson, is a superb keyboard player.  My wife and I went to see him with Infandous (well, we met him there at least) back in October and he smoked.  I really want to get Weaveworld.

Yeah, you should get it.  I got it at the show.  It reminds me a bit of Derek Sherinian's solo albums, but I like it a good deal more than those (similar style though, kind of prog metaly, shredding kind of stuff mixed with more classical type music stylings).  I love 3rd World, by far the most interesting and different project I've heard from Roine and Jonas.

My favorite of all the FK side projects though has always been Tomas Bondin's solo albums, particularly I AM and You Are (his first one is the only one I find to be just kind of so-so, but even that is worth a listen from time to time).  Even though he is not a shredder like Lalle Larson, he is a great keyboardist and in better than Lalle in most ways, IMO.  Better melodies, better keyboard sounds and atmospherics, and solo's that fit seamlessly into the songs.  Which isn't to say that Lalle is not great of course, because he does the Sherinian/Rudess shred thing better than those two IMO.  Just that I think Tomas is a much more well rounded keys player who understands feel and emotion far better than any of those players (not to mention composition and arrangement).

I haven't listened to the TA in at least a month, as I just haven't had much interest in hearing it again.  It did grow on me though, and I'll be playing it again for sure.  I have zero interest in seeing them live though, strangely enough.  I really don't feel like spending the $50 to go see them (not to mention the other expenses involved since I'll have to drive at least 3 hours each way to see them).  It just seems like a waste of time when I know there will be a DVD/CD of the tour in less than a year (I think this is a given, since this is a money making project without a doubt).  I'm saving my money for Nearfest, which seems like a much better choice for me, since I get to hear new music (for me) and a few bands I already really like.  Plus getting to see old prog friends and enjoying a fantastic atmosphere (and all the vendor tables with thousands of prog CD's!!!! ).

A friend sent me the making of DVD since I was curious about it but didn't want to pay the extra money for the 3 disc version of the album (I got the two disc version, of course).  I found it incredibly boring and ended up cleaning and doing things around the house and ignoring most of it.  I'll never bother trying to watch it again.  As a musician myself, I usually enjoy these sorts of "making of" videos, at least once.  But this one just seemed incredibly boring and uninteresting to me.

Anyway, I'm okay with no new FK album, I just hope there will be one someday.  I'd hate to think we might never get another one.  All the side projects are pretty cool so far, though I find them less exciting and interesting (except for You Are and 3rd World) than previous ones, like Kaipa in the early 2000's and the first Tangent and TA albums.  You guys mentioned Keyholder which I really like except for two tracks which I find kind of weak.  Notes From The Past I also love, though Mindrevolutions I just can't enjoy, though it does have a couple decent tracks.  I still haven't got the last one, Angling Feelings, but hope to eventually.  Also, the 70's Kaipa albums are very good, sounding like the Swedish answer to Camel.  It's impressive to hear how good Roine was even at such a young age (he was 16 when he recorded their first album with them).  He's obviously gotten a whole lot better, but still.

Roland113 wrote: For you Frost fans out there, I was finally able to figure out how to do it, I now have the beginning synth loop to Blacklight Machine as my cell phone ringtone.

 

Roland113 wrote: ^ I will get Weaveworld as soon as I can.  I would have gotten it at the show but I was short by two dollars :( I'm with you on TA, Id' see them if they came to Pittsburgh, but like you Gus, I'm not going to travel across the state, spend 50 on tickets, more on lodging and so on.  Just not worth it. For you Frost fans out there, I was finally able to figure out how to do it, I now have the beginning synth loop to Blacklight Machine as my cell phone ringtone.

Roland113 wrote: 3rd World isn't my thing but that's only because it's a little too jazz oriented for my particular tastes.

I really like this. It's a lovely feel-good album.

Weaveworld on the other hand is something that I want to get sooner than later.  The keyboardist from Karmakanic, Lalle Larsson, is a superb keyboard player.  My wife and I went to see him with Infandous (well, we met him there at least) back in October and he smoked.  I really want to get Weaveworld.

This, on the other hand, I really can't get to grips with. I got it for Christmas along with 3rd World Electric (a Reingold Records deal) and, although I've only played it twice, I know I'm not goting to like it.

At the end of the day, I'm a "tunes" man. There has to be a decent song, hook or melody to hang the instrumental stuff onto. This is why I love Genesis and The Flower Kings so much. Weaveworld, on the other hand consists mostly of solid slabs of jazzy prog noise that just leaves me feeling stressed.

So there! 




Edited by Nov - January 23 2010 at 04:42

Eh, Soccer isn't nearly as popular on this side of the pond.  For me, despite my lack of enthusiasm for the new Transatlantic CD, it'd still be an easy choice over a soccer match for me.

it's a bit of a blow if United get to the final!!!! I'll have to sky plus the football and then watch it once I have seen the concert, but it's a REALLY BIG GAME (Sort of like the Superbowl, but with all of Europe competing instead of just the USA). I can't tape the Gig so thats what I'll have to see LIVE.

hey guys, i am reading your comments now and i am realy dissaponted, are TFK realy splitting up or just a rumours ?

With any luck, the hiatus will find the band coming together again thoroughly refreshed and ready to deliver a blaster of an album.