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The Flower Kings - Space Revolver CD (album) cover

SPACE REVOLVER

The Flower Kings

 

Symphonic Prog

3.88 | 633 ratings

From Progarchives.com, the ultimate progressive rock music website

Gatot
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator
4 stars At first spin this album did not attract me because to me the music seemed like being forced to be like this and the band really neglect the melodic side of a composition. With couple of spins, my appreciation towards the album grew significantly - even I talked to myself that the key to enjoy this album is the complexity and abrupt change in style offered by the music. Yes, it's similar with my first experience in mid seventies with Yes "Tales from Topographic Ocean" album which I considered too complex and not melodic at all. But it grew significantly later. Now, come a question on how to enjoy a music from complexity standpoint? I only have one recipe: let the music flow into your mind and cascade down into your heart, steadily, even though it takes a long time.

Having done so, I even now amazed with the fact that by now I fully can enjoy the full stream (from start to end) of the opening track "I Am The Sun - Part One" (15:03) when at first listen I completely rejected. I don't really know why did I hate the song that is now becoming one of my favorite TFK tracks? Consciously, I really now enjoy this wonderful and energetic track from its intro, all the way through complex arrangements and variations until the music really ends. There are so many style changes from upbeat music into avant-garde and jazz improvisations in the middle of the track till end. It's really a wonderful composition. I even can enjoy the mellow track with jazz touch "Dream On Dreamer" (2:43).

"Rumble Fish Twist" (8:06) is an instrumental piece that starts off with sound effects followed with hard driving rhythm music in complex arrangements and relatively fast tempo. The keyboard provides great sound effects accompanied with solid bass lines, guitar rhythm and machine-gun drumming. The guitar solo is truly stunning. I like also the part where Michael Stolt is given a space to give his wonderful bass guitar solo even though in a short time. The music suddenly moves into quiet passage in a spacey nuance. Bass guitar shows off the talent here. What a great musical break!

Wow! "Monster Within" (12:55) is really an energetic song with a very uplifting mood. This track really elevates my emotion especially hearing the powerful vocal by Hasse Folberg and Roine Stolt. It's an adrenalin exploder, really. The music changes in style in the middle of the track with guitar solo and inventive keyboard work. The song ends in uplifting mood at the end part with a somewhat blues influence music. "Chicken Farmer Song" (5:09) and "Underdog" (5:29) are bit light in terms composition but it's still an excellent song. "You Don't Know What You've Got" (2:39) is a ballad with acoustic guitar rhythm.

"Slave To Money" (7:30) brings the music back into a rather complex arrangements but with a smooth flow from start to middle until it reaches a change in style and complexity. "A Kings Prayer" (6:02) is relatively slow track with ambient and ballad style, accessible to most listeners as it has memorable choruses. The album concludes with "I Am The Sun - Part Two" (10:48) beautifully.

Overall, it's a highly recommended album. Keep on proggin' ..!

Peace on earth and mercy mild - GW.

Gatot | 4/5 |

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