Adam and Eve Review by Steve Alspach They're nothing if not prolific. Sweden's Flower Kings are back with another excellent offering of lengthy numbers and shorter, more accessible tunes.
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Alive on Planet Earth Review by Gary Hill This live album by The Flower Kings shows that they are not just a studio phenomenon. The disc should be evidence to the prog fan that this band is one to catch live as well. More...
Flower Power Review by Gary Hill The Flower Kings sound contains elements and leanings of the classic prog of the '70's, but is definitely still their own. Since the Stardust We Are disc, the band's writing skills seem to have matured.
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You gotta admire the Flower Kings' work ethic. On the heels of Roine's solo album "Wall Street Voodoo" comes the latest album from Sweden's no. 1 progressive group, and it's a 2-CD set to boot.
Space Revolver Review by Gary Hill The newest release from the Flower Kings finds them both staying true to their trademark sound and moving in new and unusual directions. We definitely find signs of both on this potent album More...
Stardust We Are Review by Gary Hill This album is the latest by Swedish band The Flower Kings. Featuring a fresh approach on influences from many classic prog bands, this is a strong release. More...
The Rainmaker Review by Gary Hill The Flower Kings return with their latest dishing of their particular flavor of progressive rock. The group typically has a style that is very hard for journalists to keep up with because it changes so briefly. More...
The Sum of No Evil Review by Josh Turner When I receive a Flower Kings’ album, it’s a personal event of the utmost importance. The only problem is finding a long-enough lunch, a shady tree to idle under, or a stretch of asphalt that’s sufficiently-straight.
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Unfold The Future Review by Steve Alspach Sweden's most prolific progressive band returns with another two-CD album of songs that shows the band's willingness to try any and all musical styles. Fans of this band will find this to be another excellent album in the band's catalogue.
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DVD Reviews
The Flower Kings - Instant Delivery DVD Review by Ron Fuchs Instant Delivery is a great 2 DVD live document of the touring support of their latest (at the time) release Paradox Hotel, recorded in Tilburg, in The Netherlands on April 19th 2006.
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Concert Reviews
The Flower Kings - Live in Chicago, IL, August, 2008 Review by Josh Turner I had twisted my ankle earlier in the week and was experiencing heat exhaustion upon my arrival. It was an unusually bad day for me. Yet, everything with fine with the universe once The Flower Kings took the stage.
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The Flower Kings - Live In Palatine, IL, 2002 Review by Gary Hill Talking to those in attendance after this show it is obvious that there were two types of fans in the audience. On the one hand there were those who ate up the entire set, savoring, and even reveling in the improvisational jamming that was spread throughout the band's set.
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Interviews
The Flower Kings Interview by Josh Turner Interview with Jonas Reingold of The Flower Kings from 2005
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Related Articles
Tomas Bodin Review by Josh Turner Interview with Tomas Bodin from 2005
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Ayreon - - 01011001 – Special Edition CD and DVD Review by Gary Hill Ayreon is Arjen Luccassen. He creates magnificent rock operas under that name and manages to bring in some of the most impressive musicians in the business to work with him on these projects.
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The Tangent - A Place In The Queue Review by Steve Alspach Andy Tillison's side project is getting so successful that his "original" band, Parallel or 90 Degrees, may be his side project these days. The Tangent's third album, A Place in the Queue pays homage to Yes' Tales... album (at least Tillison does in the liner notes in a delightful way), but the Tangent mix shorter songs with two bookend epics.
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Kaipa - Angling Feelings Review by Gary Hill I've heard such good things about this outfit, but have never really heard them before. Perhaps my expectations were too high because this really doesn't capture my spirit like I thought it would.
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Circus Brimstone - Brimstoned in Europe (Live) Review by Josh Turner There wouldn't be any complaints if The Flower King's didn't make these official bootlegs available. As it is, they are so prolific it's profound.
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Karmakanik - Entering the Spectra Review by Josh Turner This is supposed to be a solo project by Jonas Reingold, but it really stands alone as a complete band. If it were good it would defy expectations.
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The Tangent - Going Off On One Review by Josh Turner They have given me a gag reaction. I keep spewing and spewing positive commentary; so much so that the genuine expression gets lost in the minutiae.
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Tomas Bodin - I Am Review by Josh Turner This concept comes from the fantasies of Flower King's keyboardist Tomas Bodin. Right from the get go, you know I Am is going to grow on you.
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On the one hand, Nick D'Virgilio has been out of Spock's Beard for a while now. That means that perhaps the mentions of the band and comparisons aren't entirely appropriate.
Kaipa - Keyholder Review by Josh Turner I was really curious to hear this album. At best, I digested the previous release, Notes from the Past, which left me with a little heartburn.
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Karmakanik - Live at RoSfest, April, 2006 Review by Josh Turner Karmakanic were very good, but in my heart of hearts I expected more from them. After Krister Jonzon and Jonas Reingold blew away the crowd with The Tangent in the previous year, they returned to these hallowed grounds wrapped up in this different package.
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Transatlantic - Live in America Review by Steve Alspach It takes cajones to record an album consisting of your fifth or sixth performance ever as a band. But if you're as talented as the guys in Transatlantic, nerves are perhaps the only problem.
This two disc set wasn't an easy pick between the three Transatlantic DVD's on the market, but ultimately I chose this one because I could review it at MSJ as it hadn’t been covered yet.
By their own accord, they weren’t at their best. They were jetlagged and forlorn after a long flight and many hours of desperate searching for a needed piece of equipment at countless stores in the windy city.
This concert's castfeatured a special line up consisting of Genesis’ most notable guitarist, Steve Hackett, and both the bassist and the singer of Agents of Mercy (a side project featuring Jonas Reingold and Nad Sylvan, respectively).
Kaipa - Mindrevolutions Review by Josh Turner I'm a big fan of Kaipa's "Keyholder". The year it came out, it was second in my book only to The Tangent's "The Music That Died Alone".
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The Tangent - Not as Good as the Book Review by Bill Knispel The Tangent grew out of a series of pieces written by Parallel or 90 Degrees front man Andy Tillison that he put off to the side for a solo project, feeling that their more retro-prog sound was not in keeping with the more contemporary areas he was exploring with Po90. A series of fortunate incidents led to copies of these demos getting into the hands of Roine Stolt, and several phone calls later, the Tangent was essentially born.
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Tomas Bodin - Sonic Boulevard Review by Josh Turner This album features ten blissful songs from the masterful Tomas Bodin. As his third solo attempt, he has really hit a homerun.
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The Tangent - Stars and Pyramids Review by Josh Turner If you missed them at ROSfest 2005, you missed the best thing they've done so far. If you haven't even seen them live at all, it is essential you hear this disc.
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Transatlantic - STMPE Review by Gary Hill and Steve Alspach When you talk progressive rock and the term "supergroup" comes up, this band will certainly come to mind. The band is made up of Roine Stolt of Flower Kings, Pete Trewavas of Marillion, Neal Morse of Spocks Beard and Mike Portnoy of Dream Theater.
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Transatlantic - The Bridge Across Forever Review by Steve Alspach Prog's premier supergroup (Neal Morse, Roine Stolt, Mike Portnoy, and Pete Trewavas) strike again with this 2001 release. This album sounds similar to their first effort, but there are many differences that set this album apart.
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The Tangent - The World That We Drive Through Review by Josh Turner With all the hype, this was setting itself up to be the disappointment of the year. So, how good is The World That We Drive Through?
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Swedish Family - Vintage Prog - The Best of SF Review by Josh Turner Being an avid fan of the latest progressive rock, I'm torn between the classic sounds from the seventies and releases just starting to surface. Back in the day when technology was young, progressive musicians had innovative ideas and clever new instruments.
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Roine Stolt - Wall Street Voodoo Review by Josh Turner As usual, this artist is hard-at-work and boy is he busy. It's ironic when you consider how many artists are so preoccupied with the promotion of a single album and then take years to develop it.
Karmakanik - Wheel of Life Review by Josh Turner To say this disc would be as good as the band's debut would be saying a lot. The first one offered a variety of styles.
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Transatlantic - Whirld Tour 2010 Deluxe Edition – 2 DVD & 3 CD Review by Scott Montgomery This is ridiculous!Really!The degree of virtuosity, complexity, and sheer stamina involved in performing this music live is staggering…almost to the point of absurdity.
