RETROPOLIS

After purchasing Space Revolver, I was convinced that the Flower Kings were (close to) a perfect band. How can you lose with a combination like this? Tasty, agressive guitars, bass guitar lines to die for, extrodinary keyboard work and very pleasant vocals from Stolt....

That's what Space Revolver was...

Now for Retropolis, this is quite different. Here the Kings are wondering which directions they should take. Dream Theater? ELP? Yes? Hard to tell. Yet, I call it an interesting album for mature ears. Because this is going anywhere and everywhere, I could take a while for your ears and brain to acclimate.

Many times the keyboardist Tomas Bodin amazes and steals the show. On Retropolis by Night he gives a refreshing taste of post-acid trance music. The feel of a highway in the style of The Fifth Element could easily pop up in your head. It does in mine.

Apart from the oriental or circus tunes we can experiment, also the need from Solt to share about his religious beliefs can be heard. Is he a christian? We could think that by the hommage to the Mighty Son of Jehovah in The Judas Kiss. Which is quite catchy but overdone in the ceremonial feeling and churchish sounds. But anyway, I don't think Jesus could take that song for a praise to his too short trip on earth.

A real free for all that leaves you on your hunger for mind-blowing prog. Too few good harmonies but overall a bag full of knick-knacks that will please the person who feels to tame a wild and crazy beast.

Absolutely not essential.