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01 |
Last Minute on Earth |
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11:51 |
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02 |
World Without a Heart |
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04:30 |
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03 |
Road to Sanctuary |
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13:49 |
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04 |
The Rainmaker |
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06:02 |
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05 |
City of Angels |
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12:04 |
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06 |
Elaine |
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04:56 |
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07 |
Thru the Walls |
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04:28 |
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08 |
Sword of God |
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06:03 |
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09 |
Blessing of a Smile |
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03:09 |
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10 |
Red Alert |
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01:07 |
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11 |
Serious Dreames |
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09:00 |
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01 |
Excerpt from Valkyrian |
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03:14 |
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02 |
Mr. Hope goes to Salzburg |
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00:50 |
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03 |
One whole half |
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05:16 |
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04 |
Agent supreme |
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02:32 |
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05 |
Violent brat |
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04:31 |
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06 |
The woman with no shadow |
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04:48 |
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07 |
Data Track |
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48:50 |
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| Country |
Sweden |
| Spars |
DDD |
| Sound |
Stereo |
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Roine Stolt - Vocals, Guitars all sorts, Keyboards, Percussives handy
Tomas Bodin - Keys, Wagnerism & Theatrical first aid
Hans Froberg - Vocals, Vocoder
Jonas Reingold - Fender Bass, Fretless bass, Istanbul lectures
Jamie Salazar - any brand drums, Yell, Translating & lipwisting
Hasse Bruniusson - Percussive sculptures, Chains, but less yelling than usual
Ulf Wallander - Guesting as always on Soprano Saxophone
Produced by:
Don Azzaro
The Flower Kings - The Rainmaker
Released: 2001
Label: Inside Out America
Cat. No.:
Total Time: 77:05
Reviewed by: Keith "Muzikman" Hannaleck, September 2001
The Flower Kings are positioning themselves to be one of the most significant and popular groups with The Rainmaker, their latest release on the flourishing Inside Out America label. I was very impressed with their previous release Space Revolver, but this one is definitely kicked up a few notches in every aspect.
"Last Minute On Earth" is the opener. It's a magnificent opus cranking out over eleven minutes of philosophic (futuristic?) progressive rock tainted with a hint of cynicism. Mesmerizing keyboards invite Hasse Froberg's voice into the fold, and from that point forward he takes the reins and never lets go. His voice seems to continually evolve and mature along with the group's sound as the album progresses. He makes a stand as the lead vocalist by answering the call of the music every step of the way. This factor will have an enormous effect on what you will hear with each album the group records in the future. "Sword Of God" is an authoritative rocker. Froberg's vocals reminded me of Ian Gillian's vocal style with Deep Purple at the height of their success in the seventies. Roine Stolt's guitar takes total control and they instantly become electrifying, rockin' melodic classic rockers with a sound that emanates from their forefathers Yes, ELP, and Pink Floyd. While listening to "World Without Heart" and "Road To Sanctuary" it made me realize how much they were influenced by groups like Pink Floyd and Marillion. Those particular groups always maintained their hard rock progressive edge while combining insightful lyrics with strong melodies. "City Of Angels" is a classic rendering of prog-rock with a glistening polished pop sound around the edges. It's a distinctly radio friendly hit that may make it to many play lists quickly. The production, sound and clarity is outstanding on this disc, making their recorded output that much more prolific.
With their versatility and across-the-board talent, the Flower Kings will surely remain atop the heap as one the reigning kings of progressive rock. Their reach has spread far and wide outside of their homeland borders of Sweden. They are currently on tour letting everyone know just how essential and astonishing their music is.
You don't have to be a prog head to enjoy this music, if you love great rock and roll you need to hear this CD. Yes indeed, they are serious dreamers...
[Read also Bobo's, Clayton's, Steph's, Eric's, and Marcelo's reviews (whew!) -ed.]
More about The Rainmaker:
Track Listing: Last Minute On Earth (11:40) / World Without A Heart (4:29) / Road To Sanctuary (13:50) / The Rainmaker (6:02) / City Of Angels (12:04) / Elaine (4:55) / Thru The Walls (4:31) / Sword Of God (6:00) / Blessing Of A Smile (3:12) / Red Alert (1:10) / Serious Dreamers (8:59)
Musicians:
Roine Stolt - vocals, guitars
Tomas Bodin - keyboards
Jonas Reingold - bass
Jaime Salazar - drums
Hasse Froberg - vocals, guitar
Ulf Wallander - soprano sax
Contact:
Website: www.users.wineasy.se/flowerkings/
Note: will open new browser window
Email: flowerkings@foxtrot.se
Discography
The Flower King (Roine Stolt)
Back in the World of Adventures (1995)
Retropolis (1996)
Stardust We Are (1997/2000)
Scanning The Greenhouse (comp) (1998)
Edition Limitee Quebec (1998)
only 700 copies!
Unnamed 3-track EP (1998)
given away free at Japanese concerts; incl "She Cared Me A Wooden Heart," "Space Revolver," and "Jupiter Backwords"
Flower Power (1999)
TFK fanclub disc (2000)
free CD exclusive to fanclub members only
Alive On Planet Earth (2000)
Space Revolver (2000)
Space Revolver Special Edition (2CD set) (2000)
The Rainmaker (2001)
The Rainmaker - Special Edition (2001)
The Flower Kings: The Rainmaker
If anything can be said about The Flower Kings, it is that this band always moves forward, never resting on their laurels. This is so true with their latest offering, The Rainmaker. Once again, Stolt and band mates follow up the last CD, Space Revolver, with eleven tracks of pure progressive rock that will have your musical taste buds wanting more of that flavor that the Flower Kings excel at creating.
Taking the best of what has made prog so great, the soaring guitars, the complex bass and drum rhythms, and of course the intricate and multifaceted keyboards all work to make this one of the best prog albums in 2001, and arguable, the best Flower Kings. The music has a harder edge to it and a purer sound than the more experimental Space Revolver. Listen to the CD for repeated pleasure, and you can taste the classic influences in the compositions, genesis in my mind, as being the most prevalent.
However, once again, The Flower Kings come through with their on classic style and sound. Ronnie Stolt is amazing, as always. Tomas Bodin, on the keyboards, is the rock on which the Flower Kings music is built upon. Hasse Froberg, on guitar and vocals, is as flawless as always. Jonas Reingold, the cement which holds it together, and farewell to drummer Jamie Salazar, this his last Flower Kings CD; his shoes will be hard to fill for new drummer Zoltan Csorsz.
This CD, in my opinion, has the band going back to the roots of their own music, and back in to the roots of prog, to come up with a fantastic Flower Kings CD. This is a must have for fans, and a good album for new fans to get a taste of one of the premier bands of today. They are playing their best music to date. As with past CD's, the production and sound are excellent on The Rainmaker, pure pleasure for the ears.
In conclusion, buy this CD, you will not be disappointed. Support the band and its music.
Rating: 9.5
Reviewer: Thomas Connolly
Review Date: 07/31/02
Visit the artist website
The Flower Kings
Credits:
Produced by: Don Azzaro
Discography
The Flower King (Roine Stolt)
Back in the World of Adventures (1995)
Retropolis (1996)
Stardust We Are (1997/2000)
Scanning The Greenhouse (comp) (1998)
Edition Limitee Quebec (1998)
Unnamed 3-track EP (1998)
given away free at Japanese concerts; incl "She Cared Me A Wooden Heart,"
"Space Revolver," and "Jupiter Backwords"
Flower Power (1999)
TFK fanclub disc (2000)
free CD exclusive to fanclub members only
Alive On Planet Earth (2000)
Space Revolver (2000)
Space Revolver Special Edition (2CD set) (2000)
The Rainmaker (2001)
The Rainmaker - Special Edition (2001)
