PINUP GURU

This is the second album by keyboard player of one of the world's best prog rock bands The Flower Kings. The first time I listened to this CD, I was not quite sure really on the music approach that Tomas took. Yes, there is an exploration of organ that sounds like a church organ at the beginning of the album under "Sodium Regale" (3:39) which is then followed with the slowing down style of "Me & Liz (Taylor!)" (11:12). Under this second track the music sounds differently as it's more on emphasizing a peaceful feelings (being together with Liz Taylor?). There is still a domination of organ sounds as the music flows. What comes out later is the pulsating keyboard work that brings even into different style than the one at the opening. The keyboard solo reminds me to Rick Wakeman's style.

"Harlem Heat" (8:20) starts off with a loop of golden classic song which brings us to the memory of classic pop hit in the 60's. I do not know why Tomas inserts this loop. What follows is a relatively fast tempo music with keyboard solo and dazzling drum work by Zoltan (The Flower Kings drummer). There is another band-mate that also plays here: Jonas Reingold who dynamically plays the bass guitar work.

Unfortunately, this album does not seem to be attractive to enjoy after half of the CD has already been spun. I don't know the real reason for this. I experience it many times I spin the CD. It's probably that this album is lacking on textures so that the music sounds like "empty" especially at the later part of the album. You might not experience the same as what I experience. But I know, this is NOT a bad album at all. It just need further deep observation on the subtleties of the music. I leave it up to you to decide. The album does not sound so compelling to me as there is no peculiar segment that truly stirs my emotion, composition-wise as well as melody-wise.

Peace on earth and mercy mild - GW