Flower Kings Appreciation Thread

Ahh, a wise man once said, panties not the best thing in life . . . but next to it.

Sorry it took so long to post, fates conspiring and all that.

 

Well, after two listens I have to say I'm impressed.  I'd tried to not expect too much and I think that was the best bet.  Of the shorter tracks I like Pandemonium best - great song.  For The Love of Gold hasn't moved me that much yet (unlike the majority) nice synth motif from Tomas though.  However, the real ace in the hole has got to be Numbers, which made an instant impression on me.  Wow.  On first spin it's just that lovely feeling, pure bliss, the boys are back and this sounds great.  On second spin I was shocked at how much of it I remembered from the first listen.  The main theme is stuck in my head as I speak.  And as for Roine's solo about the 11-12 min mark, breathtakingly brilliant . 

 

54 minutes long and easily their shortest main disc from any album.  It seems to work though.  Perhaps the shorter running time aids digestion, just like Gaviscon Cool.

 

As for the bonus disc, Illuminati is a nice Blade of Cain-esque (bible again Barney ) instro and I've really enjoyed Lolines so far too. 

 

Overall, Roine's playing is sublime, the vocals are great and the production hits the spot too. Whilst I know I'll have to hear it a few more times to decide roughly where BoE will sit in the TFK pantheon, initial impressions are very positive.

 

Finally, kudos to Anthony and Jeff for their reviews.  It's nice to have collabs in our midst who actually appreciate TFK.  Nice review from Barney too!  I'll get round to one in time, not that it'll make much difference to the ratings.  4.2 eh?  That won't last long, once the gnashing hounds sink their teeth into it .  Make sure nobody sends a copy to Sean Trane please.  If they're going to, please put a Harmonium sticker or something over the label on it and he'll give it the full five!!!

  Yeah, if you go into a Flower Kings CD with expectations of Omar, you're pretty much setting yourself up for disappointment.  That's kind of like saying 'You know, I kind of like IQ but really wish their Zeuhl influences would be more prominent'.

Mr Trane will review without hearing it first - why break the habit of a lifetime?  Wonder why Roine didn't just put the four bonus tracks on CD1 - and take it to the usual length? In the current format track 2 could have been extended with a church organ solo and then a church organ / Stolte duet lasting 10 minutes and then we would have had two epics....

I'm, not too big on Bodin's solos (some feature that whole crazy-sounding whirlwind of synth noises), but I love that solo from TTWSYF. His playing on that album is the best out of all TFK albums. I'm just disappointed that you can't hear his crazy organ playing better on the Devil's Playground during the really fast rockin section.

Yea, i knew he didn't have any astonishing characteristics to set him apart, but i was still hoping for a great guitar solo or a trace of an interesting tone manipulation. But honestly, i won't say i paid too much attention to him during my listens it was more a "background" conclusion. I'll give Numbers, Going Up, and Those Who.., a closer listen to see if any guitar parts captivate me.