FLOWER POWER

Flower Power is the second double album from TFK and is also their longest at a whopping 2 hours and 20 minutes. Listening to this in one sitting is definitely a task. What doesn't help, though, is like the previous album Stardust We Are, Flower Power also suffers from filler material. This time around, it is even worse, with the second disc almost entirely containing filler songs.

The first disc, however, is absolutely amazing and is one of The Flower King's greatest achievements. 'The Garden of Dreams' (10/10) is an hour long song (though I consider it a suite a la side two of Abbey Road) which explores areas not touched by the Flower Kings before, while also revisiting the classic TFK sound.

The suite does a great job of blending together more aggressive and upbeat songs like 'Attack of the Monster Briefcase,' 'Mr. Hope Goes to Wall Street,' and Don't Let the d'Evil In' with the slower and more atmospheric songs like 'Did I Tell You,' or the title track. Also, there is a constant Pink Floyd vibe throughout the album, especially in the song 'Indian Summer.'

The rest of disc one consists of two of those pointless "segue" tracks TFK likes to do so much. It is funny to note though that Ikea By Night is the only song in the discography solely credited to the drummer Jaime Salazar.

The last song of disc one, 'Astral Dog,' (8/10) is a definite keeper. It is an instrumental and is pretty much an 8-minute jam. For some reason I really like the song; it has some of Roine's signature distorted guitar sound along with some chunky bass lines.

The second disc starts with the amazing Deaf, Numb, and Blind. (10/10) The track has plenty of interesting melodies and dramatic mood changes and is easily the highlight of disc two.

Unfortunately, the rest of disc two is lesser material or simply filler. 'Stupid Girl' (6/10) is melodic and has some great vocal lines from Roine Stolt.

'Corruption' (4/10) is mostly uninteresting but does have a few good points, especially the catchy chorus.

'Power of Kindness' (5/10) is a nice reprise of a theme in the Garden of Dreams played by Bodin on the organ.

'Psychedelic Postcard' (5/10) is a nice driven track with some interesting vocals.

The rest of the tracks are bonus track material and I usually don't make it past these anyway, but include 'Hudson River Sirens Call 1998,' (1/10) 'Magic Pie,' (2/10) Painter, (3/10) 'Calling Home,' (3/10) and 'Afterlife' (2/10)

Overall, I could say about this album the same exact thing I said about Stardust We Are. The album contains some amazing material and then some blatant filler. Though the album could have been limited to Garden of Dreams and I would have been content.

6/10