RETROPOLIS

"Retropolis" is the second full-length studio album by Swedish progressive rock act The Flower Kings. The album was released through Foxtrot Records in May 1996. It´s the successor to "Back in the World of Adventures" from September 1995. Lead vocalist/guitarist Roine Stolt released a solo album in 1994 titled "The Flower King", and the core of the session musicians who played on that album became The Flower Kings and subsequently recorded "Back in the World of Adventures".

"Back in the World of Adventures" (1995) introduced a complex, melodic, and epic symphonic progressive rock style influenced by both progressive rock acts like Yes, King Crimson, Pink Floyd, and Genesis, but also by hard rock like Deep Purple and Uriah Heep, and more avant garde/experimental acts like Frank Zappa & The Mothers of Invention and Gentle Giant. That eclectic progressive rock style is continued on "Retropolis".

The 11 tracks on the 69:16 minutes long album all feature fairly complex structures, but at the same time also features memorable vers/chorus parts. Guitar solos, atmopsheric chords, hard rock riffs, epic synths/keyboards, an active organic playing rhythm section, Hasse Bruniusson´s (Samla Mammas Manna) various percussion skills on full display, and lead vocalist/guitarist Roine Stolt´s distinct sounding and pleasant voice in front. He is not a vocalist with a great range but his laid-back and melancholic vocal style suits the music well. Hasse Fröberg who would subsequently become a permanent member of The Flower Kings, guests on "There Is More To This World" and on "Silent Sorrow" with his Jon Anderson (Yes) styled voice and singing style. Ulf Wallander also guests performing saxophone parts on "The Melting Pot" and on "The Road Back Home" (to great effect I might add).

"Retropolis" features a good combination of instrumental tracks and tracks with vocals. The latter tracks also feature intriguing progressive instrumental parts. Highlights include the title track, "Rhythm Of The Sea", "The Melting Pot", "The Judas Kiss". "Flora Majora" and "The Road Back Home" are also great tracks. All tracks feature either a melancholic atmosphere or/and some great instrumental parts. The uplifting spirit and mood of "There Is More To This World" and "Silent Sorrow" is less interesting, although both tracks are still high quality compositions.

"Retropolis" features an organic and well sounding production job, and upon conclusion it´s a high quality sophomore studio album from The Flower Kings. In their vast discography it´s one of the albums which to my ears always stood out as something special and a 4 - 4.5 star (85%) rating is deserved.