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It's a crazy
world the one we are living at and
I don't think anyone would disagree!
That's the general meaning of
The Flower Kings' new album.
The band sees Earth as a big hotel
where paradox things happen all the
time. The tenants do whatever you
can imagine, they're living,
laughing, crying and most of the time
arguing and killing each other…People
always come and go but the situation
remains the same. Roine Stolt and
his mates return with this new double-disc
album two years after the release
of "Adam and Eve". Friends
of progressive rock doesn't
need any introduction of the group
since it is very famous inside their
circles. For those ignorant of the
band's music I have to inform
them that they especially draw influence
and inspiration by prog rock groups
that shined during the 70's
and late 60's. The Flower Kings
have offered some very good works
in the past with the masterly "Space
Revolver" being the highlight
of their rich career. This album was
released in 2000 and since then we
had 3 studio albums by them that were
good but didn't live up to the
high expectations this one had created.
How about the new one?
As I wrote above
the album comes in two discs and its
total length exceeds the two hours!
We all know that this can be a strong
advantage for some people while, the
same time, it can discourage many
people and keep them away. In those
two hours we've got a summary
of 70's prog rock. The band
combines the technical play of bands
such as Yes, Camel or King Crimson,
jazzy/fusion experimental moments
(Zappa, Mahavishnu Orchestra), electronic-space
elements (Tangerine Dream), the melancholy
of Pink Floyd, the simplicity and
sweet sound of rock bands such as
Beatles and the emotion of bands such
as Genesis or Neo-prog bands that
appeared later, such as Marillion
(especially of the ex-Fish era) or
IQ. The orchestration and overall
production is excellent. The album
is consisted by many and different
kinds of songs. Twenty minutes long
epics are next to 3 or 4 minutes long
ballads. Catchy melodies and softly
acoustic parts give their place to
difficult instrumental work and solos.
Listening to the album is a beautiful
experience full of search and surprises!
Don't ask me for best moments
or favourite tracks! The only way
I can look the album is as a whole.
One thing is certain. "Paradox
Hotel" requires patience but
if you give it the proper time it
will reward you greatly.
The Flower Kings
hold the flag of prog rock high and
offer us a great piece of art. "Paradox
Hotel" is one of the greatest
moments (second only to "Space
Revolver" in my opinion) of
one of the best modern bands of the
genre and that says a lot. If you're
into prog rock thing you've
got to add this gem to your collection.
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