Record Reviews

FLOWER KINGS ~ BACK IN THE WORLD OF ADVENTURES INSIDEOUT 051 (4012) (Barcode: 727701401225) ~ SWEDEN ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 1994 - 1995 Released: 2000 1st album by the Swedish band, which is considered by many to be a major force on the Neo-Prog scene and a major contributor to the Prog revival of the 1990`s. TFK operate under the leadership of the guitar wizard Roine Stolt, who was also the leader of another superb Swedish group - Kaipa - 20 years earlier. TFK play a `classical` Prog, with excellent melodies and extended epics, with Stolt`s guitar in the lead. Whatever they lack in originality and innovation is well compensated by their excellent playing and consistently superb melodic lines.

Updated: 21/09/2021Posted:

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

FLOWER KINGS ~ FLOWER POWER INSIDEOUT 046 (Barcode: 5052205041024) ~ SWEDEN ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 1999 Released: 1999 4th album by the great Swedish Prog group Flower KingsFind albums by this artist, which is now dominating the Neo-Prog scene for nearly two decades, founded and led by guitarist Roine StoltFind albums by this artist, who is also the group´s main composer. An impressive album spanning the length of 2 CDs, it is definitely one of the most interesting albums in the group´s vast body of recorded works. Full of beautifully melodic themes and extended instrumental passages, it is a heaven on earth for most Prog fans. Recommended!

Updated: 21/09/2021Posted:

CD 2 Recommend To A Friend

FLOWER KINGS ~ LIVE IN NEW YORK-OFFICIAL BOOTLEG FOXTROT 023 ~ SWEDEN ~ Progressive Rock Swedish band The Flower Kings needs no introduction to any Prog lover, with a long streak of extremely successful albums and world touring behind them. This special album captures them live at a NY club performance in 2002. Although a bit rough, this is a great document of Roine & Co. live, especially with the 47 minutes long version of `Garden Of Dreams`. Not to be missed by any TFK fan. Fan Club Limited Edition

CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Recommend To A Friend

FLOWER KINGS ~ RETROPOLIS INSIDEOUT 050 ~ SWEDEN ~ Progressive Rock 2nd album (recorded 1995-96), which established TFK as one of the leading acts of the Neo-Prog genre. The music is excellent all through, with a distinctive wink towards the genre`s greats like Pink Floyd and Yes. Still considered as one of the TFK best albums ever, in spite of their prolific output. This is the album to start your journey into the TFK land.

Updated: 21/09/2021Posted:

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

FLOWER KINGS ~ SPACE REVOLVER INSIDEOUT 062 ~ SWEDEN ~ Progressive Rock 6th album (recorded 2000), which marks a certain change in TFK musical direction with some Jazz / Fusion elements present for the first time thanks to multi-instrumentalist Ulf Wallander`s tasty soprano saxophone work. The music is melodic and beautiful as ever and the opening and closing epics - called I Am The Sun pt.1 & 2 - are classic examples of contemporary Prog.

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

FLOWER KINGS ~ STARDUST WE ARE INSIDEOUT 048 (Barcode: 4001617317822) ~ SWEDEN ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 1996 - 1997 Released: 1999 3rd album by the great Swedish Prog group Flower KingsFind albums by this artist, which is now dominating the Neo-Prog scene for nearly two decades, founded and led by guitarist Roine StoltFind albums by this artist, who is also the group´s main composer. An impressive concept album spanning the entire length of 2 CDs, it is definitely one of the most interesting albums in the group´s vast body of recorded works. Full of beautifully melodic themes and extended instrumental passages, it is a heaven on earth for most Prog fans. Recommended!

Updated: 21/09/2021Posted:

CD 2 Recommend To A Friend

FLOWER KINGS ~ THE RAINMAKER INSIDEOUT 085 ~ SWEDEN ~ Progressive Rock 7th album (recorded 2001) and again slightly different than the previous albums, approaching more of a Prog-Metal sound, probably influenced by Stolt`s participation in Transatlantic. Some jazzy moments are also present and a couple of longer tracks are typical symphonic Prog, so alltogether a more moxed bag than usual. It is abvious that TFK are searching for new directions, which is always good.

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

MAGIC PIE ~ CIRCUS OF LIFE PROGRESS 024 (Barcode: 7320470082683) ~ NORWAY ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 2007 Released: 2007 This is the 2nd album by the excellent Norwegian Prog band Magic PieFind albums by this artist. The band is a sextet, with the usual guitar / keyboards / bass / drums lineup, fronted by two lead vocalists, which enables them to use a lot of vocal harmonies. The music is beautifully melodic and the long tracks allow for extended instrumental passages, which are executed elegantly and with a lot of passion. In some respect the band is similar to the Swedish band The Flower KingsFind albums by this artist, at their best, but manages to avoid being repetitious and excessive, like the FK often are. The title track is a five-part suite lasting almost 50 minutes. This is a very impressive follow up to their great debut and another example of the Scandinavian Prog, which rarely disappoints. A must to classic Prog lovers!

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

MAGIC PIE ~ MOTIONS OF DESIRE PROGROCK 540 (Barcode: 837792009788) ~ NORWAY ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 2005 Released: 2005 This is the 1st album by the excellent Norwegian Prog band Magic PieFind albums by this artist. The band is a sextet, with the usual guitar / keyboards / bass / drums lineup, fronted by two lead vocalists, which enables them to use a lot of vocal harmonies. The music is beautifully melodic and the long tracks (some over 20 minutes long) allow for extended instrumental passages, which are executed elegantly and with a lot of passion. In some respect the band is similar to the Swedish band The Flower KingsFind albums by this artist, at their best, but manages to avoid being repetitious and excessive, like the FK often are. This is a very impressive debut and another example of the Scandinavian Prog, which rarely disappoints. A must to classic Prog lovers!

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend