RETROPOLIS

My one and only Flower Kings album, who I only discovered by way of the Tangent, and also because of the glut of reissues of nineties Flower Kings albums over the past few years. The only other one I’ve even heard is ‘Space Revolver’ which I think is superior to this one, but only by a very small margin.

This is one of those bands that is not only relatively modern, but that both my teenage kids and I can listen to. Of course, a big part of that is because their music is seventies throwback which ends up being nostalgic for me and chic for them but - hey, music that brings the family together – one point just for that!

I’ve read lots of places that this band owes a lot to Yes, and there’s definitely a feeling of their latter classic period on the album (“Retropolis”, “The Road Back Home”). This is most apparent with Tomas Bodin’s keyboards that sound much like Patrick Moraz’ work on ‘Relayer’ – or am I the only one that hears “Soon” in “Retropolis”?

There’s a bit of ELP as well (“There is More to the World”), and even some intentional world influences on “The Melting Pot” and “The Judas Kiss”. Also, I’m not a musician so I can’t say what it is, but there’s something in the tone and keyboards of "Rhythm of the Sea" that sounds like ‘Wind & Wuthering’ only without Phil Collins.

The odd thing is that even though there is very little that is new or original here, I really like listening to this album anyway. After hearing this the Tangent make a lot more sense.

“Silent Sorrow” is a very decent tune and largely original tune, and maybe it’s my Scandinavian roots or something, but Stolt’s guitar and vocals here and on “The Road Back Home” fit my ears rather nicely. Sometimes there is something to be said for music that wears like a comfortable shirt.

I can’t say this is a very substantial or innovative album, but who says everything a band does has to break new ground? Granted, this means it’s not an essential masterpiece either, but that’s okay. I’m kind of curious to see how this one holds up over time. I'm giving it four stars with a strong recommendation, simply because unless you are a completely parochial prog purest (say that three times fast...), you are more than likely going to like this album at least a little. And I'm sure I'll buy more Flower Kings.

I just want to get the top 20% or so of everything else on my list first.

peace