Flower Kings Appreciation Thread

that Hasse blog pretty much confirms my fears regarding the current state of TFK. Bits of Roine and Tomas interviews have also mentioned tension between them. Apparently Tomas didn't get along very well with Zoltan and that was a big part of why he left the band (but continues to appear in Roine and Jonas's projects).

Harry Hood wrote: Also featuring the album cover artist who brought you Paradox Hotel!

 

Harry Hood wrote: that Hasse blog pretty much confirms my fears regarding the current state of TFK. Bits of Roine and Tomas interviews have also mentioned tension between them. Apparently Tomas didn't get along very well with Zoltan and that was a big part of why he left the band (but continues to appear in Roine and Jonas's projects). Personally, I wouldn't mind seeing the Flower Kings continue without Tomas. Lalle Larson was amazing with Agents of Mercy, and I feel he'd be a more than suitable replacement. And as much I loved Erik Hammerstrom's playing at the show I went to, if Tomas's absence meant Zoltan's return, I'd be all for it.

I don't know, as much as I think Zoltan is the perfect drummer for TFK (and so does Roine, btw), Tomas is the second most crucial member after Roine.  He was responsible for the bulk of Garden Of Dreams (minus the lyrics) and has contributed more than anyone except Roine in terms of writing for the band.  I also think people overlook just how much his sound choices help shape the sound that we all know and love.

But if he and Roine are having differences, I think it's pretty much a forgone conclusion that I'd rather Roine make new FK material without Tomas rather than giving up the band because of it.  I think Larson would be a terrible choice for TFK myself, but he is a great keyboardist who I think works very well with Jonas' projects.  But I think a flashy keys player like Larson is not what the band needs.  Roine is the focal point for leads, and I think it should stay that way, as it's his band after all.

In any case, I think we can all agree that as long as Roine is at the helm, any new FK material will be welcome, regardless of the lineup.

infandous wrote: Harry Hood wrote: that Hasse blog pretty much confirms my fears regarding the current state of TFK. Bits of Roine and Tomas interviews have also mentioned tension between them. Apparently Tomas didn't get along very well with Zoltan and that was a big part of why he left the band (but continues to appear in Roine and Jonas's projects). Personally, I wouldn't mind seeing the Flower Kings continue without Tomas. Lalle Larson was amazing with Agents of Mercy, and I feel he'd be a more than suitable replacement. And as much I loved Erik Hammerstrom's playing at the show I went to, if Tomas's absence meant Zoltan's return, I'd be all for it. I don't know, as much as I think Zoltan is the perfect drummer for TFK (and so does Roine, btw), Tomas is the second most crucial member after Roine.  He was responsible for the bulk of Garden Of Dreams (minus the lyrics) and has contributed more than anyone except Roine in terms of writing for the band.  I also think people overlook just how much his sound choices help shape the sound that we all know and love. But if he and Roine are having differences, I think it's pretty much a forgone conclusion that I'd rather Roine make new FK material without Tomas rather than giving up the band because of it.  I think Larson would be a terrible choice for TFK myself, but he is a great keyboardist who I think works very well with Jonas' projects.  But I think a flashy keys player like Larson is not what the band needs.  Roine is the focal point for leads, and I think it should stay that way, as it's his band after all. In any case, I think we can all agree that as long as Roine is at the helm, any new FK material will be welcome, regardless of the lineup.

The Quiet One wrote: Roj M30 wrote:   Touching on The Tangent, it's interesting to note the difference in opinion on the latest.  I only have two of theirs, A Place In The Queue and The World That We Drive Through.  I really like both but definitely prefer TWTWDT.  It's not because of Roine's influence (though his contribution is stunning) it's because the material is a little more symphonic and to these ears simply superior.    I need to get the rest of The Tangent's albums.  Any recommendations for which one I should get next?   I assume that you don't like A Place in the Qeue as much as TWTWDT because the former leans towards more jazz rock. Well, the other 3 Tangent albums have strong jazz rock influences, but Not as Good as the Book being a double disc might appeal to you despite the jazzy influences, featuring two 20 minute epics.

 

Edited by Roj M30 - March 05 2010 at 08:06

I was not pissed when I typed that - should have read - he would have phoned Morse.....

Ok, so  "The Flower Kings" are on an indefinite hiatus as Misters Stolt and Bodin work out their differences or how ever that works out.  In the mean time, Roine is apparently focusing his attention on "Agents of Mercy".  So here is a question for you all, how do the two compare? 

Obviously, Jonas on Bass and Roine on Guitar cancel each other out, so this means that the question is between the remaining three positions.

Keyboards:  Lalle Larsson (Agents of Mercy) vs. Tomas Bodin (The Flower Kings)  (one thought, can someone confirm that Lalle is in fact the Keyboard player for Agents of Mercy these days)
Drums:  Zoltan Czorsz (Agents of Mercy) vs. A whole bunch of people that could change at any moment (The Flower Kings)
Lead Vocals:  Nad Sylvan (Agents of Mercy) vs. Hasse Froeberg / Roine Stolt (The Flower Kings)

Now that I think of it, there's a fourth musical position to consider as well:

Backing Vocals:  Roine Stolt / Jonas Reingold (Agents of Mercy) vs. Roine Stolt / Hasse Froeberg / Jonas Reingold / Tomas Bodin

I think I'll create a few polls over the next week or so.  If someone can confirm that Lalle is playing on the new Agents of Mercy CD, I'll throw the Keyboard poll up first.

Roj M30 wrote: Roland113 wrote: Ok, so  "The Flower Kings" are on an indefinite hiatus as Misters Stolt and Bodin work out their differences or how ever that works out.  In the mean time, Roine is apparently focusing his attention on "Agents of Mercy".  So here is a question for you all, how do the two compare?  Obviously, Jonas on Bass and Roine on Guitar cancel each other out, so this means that the question is between the remaining three positions. Keyboards:  Lalle Larsson (Agents of Mercy) vs. Tomas Bodin (The Flower Kings)  (one thought, can someone confirm that Lalle is in fact the Keyboard player for Agents of Mercy these days) Drums:  Zoltan Czorsz (Agents of Mercy) vs. A whole bunch of people that could change at any moment (The Flower Kings) Lead Vocals:  Nad Sylvan (Agents of Mercy) vs. Hasse Froeberg / Roine Stolt (The Flower Kings) Now that I think of it, there's a fourth musical position to consider as well: Backing Vocals:  Roine Stolt / Jonas Reingold (Agents of Mercy) vs. Roine Stolt / Hasse Froeberg / Jonas Reingold / Tomas Bodin I think I'll create a few polls over the next week or so.  If someone can confirm that Lalle is playing on the new Agents of Mercy CD, I'll throw the Keyboard poll up first.   Interesting idea Tom.   If I said I've not heard Agents Of Mercy at all  (and therefore can't comment) would you hold it against me?   To be honest having seen the reviews, the AOM album was some way down the "to get" list.  Is it worth getting, as it's very expensive in these parts

Well, it has grown on me quite a bit, especially since seeing the live show.  I must say though, the live show was far superior to the studio album, so you might just want to get the Power Of 2 live album first, then see if you really want the studio album.

But on the whole, it's my least favorite of Roine's projects.  I really like Nad's vocals a lot, but the music is just not that strong, IMO.  Again, the live show changed my mind about several tracks, but on the whole I think it's still just not that great of an album.  Still, if you like Karmakanic, you should definitely get the live album.


 

I got Marillion's "Crash Course" CD you can get free from their web shop.  It's an overview of their music with Hogarth (I have not listened to any Hogarth Marillion previously, though I did hear Brave many years ago and thought it was pretty boring).  To be honest, I find it dreadfully dull and monotonous.  I did find, however, that as the CD progressed (runs in reverse chronological order) that I enjoy it slightly more, and really liked Hogarth's vocals on the older material.  But I'm afraid that this attempt to get into modern Marillion has failed completely for me, as nothing in this CD makes me the least bit interested in exploring further.

Roj M30 wrote: Roland113 wrote: Ok, so  "The Flower Kings" are on an indefinite hiatus as Misters Stolt and Bodin work out their differences or how ever that works out.  In the mean time, Roine is apparently focusing his attention on "Agents of Mercy".  So here is a question for you all, how do the two compare?  Obviously, Jonas on Bass and Roine on Guitar cancel each other out, so this means that the question is between the remaining three positions. Keyboards:  Lalle Larsson (Agents of Mercy) vs. Tomas Bodin (The Flower Kings)  (one thought, can someone confirm that Lalle is in fact the Keyboard player for Agents of Mercy these days) Drums:  Zoltan Czorsz (Agents of Mercy) vs. A whole bunch of people that could change at any moment (The Flower Kings) Lead Vocals:  Nad Sylvan (Agents of Mercy) vs. Hasse Froeberg / Roine Stolt (The Flower Kings) Now that I think of it, there's a fourth musical position to consider as well: Backing Vocals:  Roine Stolt / Jonas Reingold (Agents of Mercy) vs. Roine Stolt / Hasse Froeberg / Jonas Reingold / Tomas Bodin I think I'll create a few polls over the next week or so.  If someone can confirm that Lalle is playing on the new Agents of Mercy CD, I'll throw the Keyboard poll up first.   Interesting idea Tom.   If I said I've not heard Agents Of Mercy at all  (and therefore can't comment) would you hold it against me?   To be honest having seen the reviews, the AOM album was some way down the "to get" list.  Is it worth getting, as it's very expensive in these parts

Roj,

I'd go for it.  It's a little scattered at times and there isn't a home run progressive epic on it which certainly doesn't help the reviews on here.  As I understand, when they (Nad & Mr. Stolt) started working on the first one it was going to be a poppier CD and as it progressed, it got more progressive.  The final product was somewhere in between.

With this CD, they're starting off with the premise that it's going to be a prog CD so I don't think it will sound as disjointed.  Also, I think the addition of Lalle Larsson will make a huge impact, he is great.

To answer your initial question, should you get the first one, yes.  I don't think you'll be amazed and / or floored by it but I think you'll want to grab their second CD as soon as it becomes available.  I get the impression that it's as close as we'll get to Flower Kings this year.  My thought is that you'll appreciate the new album a lot more if you can track the improvement from the first one.  I think Scott said it, the Agents of Mercy were so much better live than on the album, I think the progression of the band will continue.

Also, I don't know exactly what is expensive, but the Agents of Mercy CD is 18 euros on The Flower Kings site and "The Power of Two" (Agents / Karmakanic live set) is 13 Euros on Amazon UK.

Tom 


Edited by Roland113 - March 10 2010 at 19:55