ADAM & EVE

'Adam & Eve' is the eighth studio album by The Flower Kings, released in August 2004. This is the only album to feature Daniel Gildenlöw of Pain of Salvation as a full-time band member and is the last album with drummer Zoltan Csörsz before his departure. Csörsz would later appear on 2007s 'The Sum of No Evil.' 'Adam & Eve' is a divisive album among fans, but I see this album as another step in the right direction for The Flower Kings.

The album opens with one of the best Flower Kings songs, "Love Supreme." This 19-minute tour de force starts as an acoustic piece, and then gradually crescendos. The vocal harmonies as well as Hasse Fröberg's lead vocals are stunning. I hear some Chris Squire in Jonas Reingold's bass playing. Reingold also plays inventive bass arpeggios during the "coming up, growing up" lyric. Roine Stolt's lead guitar playing bursts with creativity. The second half of "Love Supreme," like the first half, starts acoustic and slowly builds. I hear influences of American folk music during this particular section. I like Csörsz's in-the-pocket drumming style, which is complemented by his rhythm section partner in crime, Jonas Reingold and his groovy basslines. Hasse Fröberg's lead vocals powerfully contrast Roine Stolt's lead vocals. Themes from the first half are brought back as the music culminates into a cinematic finale. Overall, "Love Supreme" is a paradigm of the Flower Kings and their sound. "Cosmic Circus" is a simple, yet beautiful song. "Babylon" is a short instrumental written by Tomas Bodin.

Daniel Gildenlöw sings lead vocals on "A Vampire's View." This song is theatrical and one of the most unique Flower Kings songs. The enjoyment I receive from listening to "A Vampire's View" is dependent on my mood. Daniel Gildenlöw's vocals are theatrical. "Days Gone By" is a waltz piano interlude written by Tomas Bodin. The title track is a straightforward rocker sprinkled with Flower Kings quirks. Daniel Gildenlöw's vocals are yet again theatrical on this one.

The Flower Kings dive head first into pop on "Starlight Man." I really like the accessibility of this track, which acts as a pleasant palate cleanser. The following track, "Timelines," is my least favorite song on 'Adam & Eve.' There are some interesting moments but overall, "Timelines" is a forgettable song. The second epic of 'Adam & Eve' is the 18-minute "Driver's Seat." The funky verse in the beginning features Daniel Gildenlöw's dramatic lead vocals. There's an odd pause in the middle of "Driver's Seat" which leads into the grandiose second half. The brilliantly titled closer, "The Blade of Cain," is a mostly instrumental piece that showcases Roine Stolt's excellent guitar work and is a climactic ending to the album. Hasse Fröberg sings the "it shines even brighter" lyric from "Love Supreme," which gives 'Adam & Eve' a sense of cohesion.

In conclusion, 'Adam & Eve' is a good Flower Kings album that I think is slightly better than its predecessor, 'Unfold the Future.' The beginning and end of 'Adam & Eve' is phenomenal. It's the middle of the album where 'Adam & Eve' falters a bit. I must admit, "Love Supreme" does distort my perception of 'Adam & Eve' as a whole because of the sheer greatness of that track.