Flower Kings Appreciation Thread

People are being silly on the TFK Yahoo group. Some people do not have a sense of humor, and take things too personally.

Anyway, is this the new cover for the album? The Yahoo group link didn't provide a direct link, just to the artists page.

i really like the cover art.  the music on the vids sounds really good too.  nothing stands out, but i'm keeping in mind that this will take time to get into.  the new drummer really seems to fit in and i love seeing hasse sitting there swirling his red wine!

When an album was vinyl then the album art was very important (if the music was up to scratch of course) - I still have all my gate-fold sleeve albums - think I might frame some for prosperity.....and hang em up on the wall.....bet the Mrs will be pleased !!!! Inside of "Close to the Edge" would be my first pick - sublime art from Roger Dean.....

AtomicCrimsonRush wrote: Whats their best live album? Is Unfold the Future their best album? I only have Retropolis, and Adam and Eve, and Sum of No Evil

Cheers! I am a fan of Retropolis, then the new one then adam and Eve./ 

AtomicCrimsonRush wrote: Cheers! I am a fan of Retropolis, then the new one then adam and Eve./  I heard some tracks from Unfold today and really loved it. Are the earlier albums completely different or like Pallas or Marillion's Neo?

Style-wise, Stolt's playing is very Floyd or Zappa-esque, depending on the song; but of course he has his own distinct style and choice of notes as well.

Compositionally, besides the jazzy side of the band, I find the music is more Yes-influenced, with some ELP (mostly in their earlier albums) and King Crimson, but also with some Zappa moments as well, usually during crazy runs or some complex keyboard melodies; this is especially noticed during sections where a marimba sound is heard. The Genesis influence is felt as well, but not as much as others like Marillion, Spock's Beard/Neal Morse, etc.

Jonas being in the band really mixes things up. Sometimes it's like if Jaco Pastorius replaced Chris Squire  back in 1972 or something.

What I like about TFK, is even though they have a lot of influence from many of the classic 70s bands, they do stuff that those bands would never do, back then or now. Many times, I feel like TFK are Yes taken to the next level, what with all their other influences, go in further directions than Yes could have dreamed of.

Perhaps it's just me - but I have never listened to any Zappa - I have too many other directions to send my ear that I just haven't had the inclination.....This might seem weird to a lot of you.... Never listened to any cantebury stuff either really.

darkshade wrote: So how does everyone feel about this? the 2012 incarnation of the band mixes it up with both psychedelic and darker metal passages that place this album somewhere in between the late 60's proto prog and the new generation of art rock I'm excited to hear how those sounds will be incorporated into the TFK sound.

lazland wrote: darkshade wrote: So how does everyone feel about this? the 2012 incarnation of the band mixes it up with both psychedelic and darker metal passages that place this album somewhere in between the late 60's proto prog and the new generation of art rock I'm excited to hear how those sounds will be incorporated into the TFK sound. Yes, so am I, and they are clearly going with the trend that is apparent amongst other retro/neo acts in recent works, i.e. with a darker, heavier edge.

Like Beardfish?

Imagine TFK with a verse or something, featuring some "growls". I wouldn't be entirely surprised, but I doubt it'd happen.

Getting heavy is not really new for the Flower Kings. The Devil's Playground has a few heavier moments. I can see it being somewhat like how Transatlantic get a little heavy here and there, like in Stranger In Your Soul, or moments during The Whirlwind. The latest Agents of Mercy album "The Black Forest" had a couple heavier moments too.