MINDREVOLUTIONS

Musicaly and technical a great album worth 4 stars or more, personaly I'm not to thrilled with the vocals on it though, bringing it down to 3 stars IMO, still an album definately worth buying and listening to due to it's crisp and enjoyable melody lines and soundschemes, if you like Kaipa it must be part of your collection.

Their new album is somewhat a bit weaker like its two predecessors although still having some strong parts. First of all the brilliant versatile epic title track and of course Roine's great guitar solos in tracks like "Remains of the day", "The dodger" and "Shadows of time". Anyway he's the one, together with Jonas Reingold on bass and ex-Zappa drummer Morgan Ågren who is saving the album from being completely mediocre. As usually with KAIPA's records instrumental sections are the best ones. Maybe vocal parts on this one are a little bit too much and especially Aleena's very high-pitched childlike voice is for sure not everyone's cup of tea. For me it's just on the border to be tolerated. At some parts, especially in the first few songs vocals are resembling too much a kind of pop jazz or soul. Absolute failures are "Our deepest inner shore" and "Timebomb". Still "Mindrevolutions" is thanks to Roine Stolt a rather good album, but probably not an essential one. For fans of this band it's for sure worth having it, for the title track alone.

Kaipa has developed their own unique style in the symphonic prog camp over the last years, and this release is a fine follow-up to the well-received 2003 album Keyholder. The 26-min long title track is a true achievment, a symphonic masterpiece with loads of exciting instrumental passages. The remaining tracks are all high quality, with slightly more instrumetal space than on their previous efforts. My only (slight) reservation with Kaipa anno 2005 is concerned with the vocals, somehow they tends to sound a little too 'sweet' and fairytaily for my liking. This is only a minor growl from me, the album is solid symphonic prog, and is utterly recommended!

Kaipa's previous albums of 2002 and 2003 were quite good, I like them and expected the new album to be as good. But I have to say Mindrevolutions has disappointed me very much. It seems that the group has run out of ideas this time. Mindrevotultios should be called Keyholder part II or rather ''previously unreleased tracks from Keyholder". After few listens I have not found any new ideas on this album. Most of the material seems to be inspired by 2003 tracks like Weed of all Mankind, End of the Rope etc. But new melodies just cannot be compared to the originals. Even the title track is a much weaker song than best songs on Keyholder. As for vocals, well... I cannot say I adored them on Notes... and Keyholder but here the singing is simply horrible. In general, I could recommend this album only to die-hard Kaipa fans.

Sorry but this time the project from this large Swedish ensemble is almost completely failed (otherwise some defects characterized also their previous works...). Well I think of several music ideas by Roine Stolte and- as He's always been recognized that He 's a remarkable guitarist (especially during his recent gigs with Flower Kings and Transatlantic)- I expected something different!!First of all it's the same line-up as within their previous album "Keyholder", but the output is worse in comparison to it...then the role of the lead vocalist has been shared between Roine Stolt and Hans Lundin,but also between Patrik Lundström and Aleena, and this is the reason which has brought about a certain discontinuity in the melodic lines.A lot of light songs- being enriched with uneven rhytmical ballads under a light symphonic background- make me feel quite disappointed, except on a few good guitar solos creating a pleasant atmosphere but nothing else...in fact the compositions are often taken for granted and never surprising !!Of course the title track is better in comparison to the other songs, but as usual it's a bit prolix and often represented by several repetitive harmonic and melodic lines, whose mood is boring at the end... Absolutely for their fans only!!

It has taken me quite sometime - in real time scale: weeks - to solidify my thoughts about this new album by Kaipa. As in previous album review of the band, I mentioned that "Keyholder" was my first experience listening to the music of Kaipa. I did expect the follow up would sound the same or even better but I do not find it here with this album. In a nutshell, this album lacks coherence as compared to "Keyholder". Though, it's still an excellent stream of music that has truly favored my taste and has satisfied my mind. I might have been biased about it because I have been familiar with The Flower Kings music before and this album is very The Flower Kings-isque. For those who are not yet familiar with The Flower Kings, s/he might find this album a bit strange. But, I'm not saying that in order to enjoy this album you need a prerequisite of liking The Flower Kings - it may be the other way round: you enjoy Kaipa and willing to explore with The Flower Kings in your prog music journey.

In this album Hans Lundin writes most of the songs with some tracks (3) are co-written with Roine Stolt. It suffices to say the sheer influence of The Flower Kings in the music of Kaipa - a swedish band that was in the prog arena in the seventies and reformed back in 2002 with "Notes From The Past" album. The album and its follow up "Keyholder" were considered successful with some ripple effects which increase the sales of their seventies album. As in the previous album, Jonas Reingold plays his wonderful bass guitar. Ex Frank Zappa's drummer Morgan Ågren also join in this album plus two vocals by Patrik Lundström and Aleena.

The opening track "The Dodger" (8:09) reminds me to The Flower Kings with stunning guitar solo and floating music in style. The tempo of the song is slow-medium with a good combination of Patrik's voice, guitar and inventive bass lines. "Electric Leaves" (4:13) has a tiny influence of King Crimson at the beginning but when it continues with guitar solo and Aleena's vocal it sounds differently. "Shadows of Time" is a nice slow- medium tempo song with excellent guitar solo and powerful vocal by Aleena. "Mindrevolutions" (25:47) is a very well written epic, opened with singing verse by Aleena. It has strong influence by jazz, rock (through some riffs), combining excellent guitar solo, bass lines and keyboard work. Patrik contributes his singing as well throughout the track.

Definitely, this is not better than Kaipa's previous album "Keyholder". However, this album has all the qualities of an excellent musical creation in terms of composition (structure and arrangement), songwriting and overall performance. With mys experience listening only these two albums of Kaipa, I want to explore my collection with their early works as well. Recommended. Keep on proggin' ..!

Peace on earth and mercy mild - GW

Mindrevolutions was my first listening experience with Kaipa. I am no big fan of Roine Stolt`s The Flower Kings, but this one I found very interesting. The 25 minute title track is alone worth the money I spent buying it . The rest of the tracks ranges from great to ok, A Pair Of Sunbeams is the only one I tend to skip when I listen to this. Roine Stolt is a great guitarist, and Hans Lundin is a great songwriter. I love the vocals, but at times Aleena`s voice can be a bit "over the top", without weakening the quality on the album as a whole.

Tapeworm my doubts as far as the production to new production KAIPA, but quickly disappeared when listening this fantastic album, it did not disappoint to which they liked the previous works "You notice From The Past" and "Keyholder", I I even thought that they would not be surpassed thus same, but for my fortune they shut up to me with an excellent work that that touch surpasses and conserves, for the benefit of us the Srta. Aleena sings more in comparison with the previous CD, a beautiful voice and a precious face, the dream of all listener of progressive, but in aim. Although in this occasion it only makes music makes Mr. Hans LUNDIN in his totality, this is not bad since the worlds (or atmospheres) are the responsibility of the genius Roine STOLT, with one more a humbler participation, already produce and record their discs and musical variaos of Sweden, this gentleman this growing at very incredible levels, this without a doubt this is a very good disc with very beautiful songs and skillful adjustments, in this occasion present/display a suite subject of the disc "Mindrevolution" a suite that in fact is very familiar since it sounds to me to THE FLOWER KINGS, clear that in this work two work of they part very important of rate Roine STOLT and Jonas REINGOLD, this I complete also very occupied lately and it interprets brilliant of low and uses one of four cords nothing else, can to listen in this suite somewhat similar "The Truth Will Seth You Free", this with parts very calm and as it is said happy as they like to many to say of the music of THE FLOWER KINGS, are even possible to be oir part stronger than they remember the band of Hans LUNDIN, where it touched progressive metal I talk about HAGEN, without a doubt all have one magnifies participation in this worked, as much Aleena as Patrik LUNDSTRÖM in the voices, Morgan ÅGREN shows us that it is layers and that this to the height to represent a band that turns east year 30 years. Very recommendable, it does not disappoint, it does not repeat, is not simple, it is a work done with you take care of much or very well produced and with greater quality every time.

I've tried to like this album. I like the previous two well enough, and this seemed promising having a big 25 minute epic on it. But the formula of the first two modern Kaipa albums (as opposed to the 70's version of the band) seems to have run its course here. Everything on this album runs together and there is nothing in the individual tracks that makes any of them memorable after hearing them. The playing is good, the singing is decent (though Patrick's style gets on my nerves on this album), but the writing just seems to be rehashing the previous two albums without maintaining the distinctiveness of the songs on those. There are a couple tracks that stand out, like The Dodger and Last Free Indian, but even those would have been lesser numbers on the previous albums. And the epic just drags and drags and seems to lack coherence, even though I usually am drawn to the longer pieces. I'm afraid Kaipa has lost me here, and from what I understand Stolt felt the same way as he is not going to participate in Kaipa anymore. I can really only give this two stars, as it the description for that rating on Progarchives fits this album perfectly, Collectors/fans only (and even they may be dissapointed with this as I was).

I've tried to listen at once this album, because the previous one was mediocre in every way, but i couldn't, the formula of the first two modern Kaipa albums (as opposed to the 70's version of the band) seems to have run its course here.Everything on this album runs together and there is nothing in the individual tracks that makes any of them memorable after hearing them. Another borind and forgetable Kaipa album from the new era, another bad thing is Patrck's style is irritating to the bone here on this album, just my opinion regard to this album. Again, avoid this one along with Keyholder, not worth it, in stead try the first 3 Kaipa, the best that this band ever made. 2 stars

Being in the presumption that this Kaipa still had a lot to do with Kaipa of the seventies I bought this album. Well, not that I'm too familiar with that ancient Kaipa but I checked out the streamsong Se Var Morgen Gry one day and it sounded pretty much ok to me. Second reason for buying this album was the presence of a huge epic of some 25 min. Most of the time these are worthwhile and maybe there was even a third reason and that was the connection with my all time favourite band Flower Kings.

Three good reasons you would think but at the end of the day it's all about this Kaipa right now and what kind of compositions they come up with. First: this Kaipa has nothing to do with Kaipa of the seventies, well nothing, Lundin and Stolt were in it back then and they are with the band still but actually that's all. Because the compositions have no comparison with those of the old days. It's mainly the vocals that make all the difference. With no less than 4 out of the 6 bandmembers being responsable for nowadays vocals it is no surprise that these are dominant in all the songs. In fact it's not even the problem that they sing poorly but they (particularly Lundstrom and Aleena) have a bit of those love or hate kind of voices (listen to the first two minutes of the epical title track and you will know what I mean). Probably they have their fans out there nevertheless but alas I'm not one of them.

In fact that sums up the whole story for me about the rating because this aspect is setting the standard and judgement for me in this case. Instrumentally there's not much wrong with most of the songs and the compositions are not bad either but as I said, if the vocals determine some 75% of the sound of the band and album, the rest can be as good as possible but it can not be saved any more. For me it's a sort of deja vu for what I did with the Shakary album, didn't like his voice either and the rest actually didn't really matter any more.

Sounds harsh but the truth has to be said. For if because of it all you don't even feel like playing the disc anymore it's not possible to come up with a higher score than 2 stars. Good lesson for me as well to not buy too quickly anymore without even listening in the store and going blind for it due to some presumptions.

I guess that this "Flower King" album was recorded prior to 1991 and only released in 2005 for whatever reasons. It is quite remarkable to have decided Freddie Mercury to join on the vocals. One was not used to hear his voice on a symphonic prog album.

I have to say that it is quite interesting to listen to him in an epic as "Mindrevolutions", but he is also in great shape while performing on "Remains Of The Day". Of course, he is not perfect, but he had to adapt to a new musical genre quite rapidly; and unfortunately he won't be able to repeat this challenge. RIP, Freddie.

Apart from that, this TFK offering is not very different from the other ones. This is fine and symphonic music which reminds you some of the giants from the seventies (nothing new, right?), emotional guitar solo, nice keyboards etc.

The major problem is that there is almost no diversity in the song writing; which is condemning this (very) long album. There is not a single bad track (although I don't like "The Doodger") and if you're not too much of an old reluctant regressive music hunter, there are lots of possibilities that this work will appeal to you.

Actually this TFK album deserves two stars for his many very good instrumental and female vocal passages, but when Freddie's clone is on duty, my interest is lying quite low ("A Pair Of Sunbeams", "Shadow Of Time" for instance).

Oh "Yes", this is a "Kaipa" album. I almost mix it up with TFK. I wonder why!

I don't really understand the low ratings this album got. After I listenined to Mindrevoltuions several times all I can say is that it is very good most of the time, excellent in parts. Ok, it is not the best Kaipa efford I've heard, but it is far from bad or mediocre. In fact, I'm still in awe of how good their releases are since the triumphant come back of Notes From The Past. What are people here complaining? It sounds like the Flower Kings? I don't really think so, but even then, so what? I like the Flower Kings. The album is too long? My God, I wish other prog bands had so much talent to write a 79 minute CD like this! I found none of the flaws others have pointed, I'm sorry.

What I found here is the same fine melodies, great musicanship of all involved, creative and tasteful arrangements, some interesting vocals (ok, maybe not everyone's cup of tea, but still very well done. I liked the alternating male and female voices here). The production is excellent and the songwriting, if not on their peak, it is quite inspired. I found no fillers on this album and the 25 minute opus of the title track is one of Kaipa's best epics ever. Lush vintage keyboards sounds and fine guitar solos are present in generous doses. The rhythm section is strong and versatile (some may say that the omnious Jonas Reingold is a bit repetitive at times, but that does not bother me, he is an accomplished bassist and his style suits well in Kaipa).

It's my guess people just expect too much from such genius as Roine Stolt and Hans Lundin. This album may have nothing really new or groundbreaking, but it is still excellent in all other aspects. And to me, this fine, well craft symphonic progressive set of tunes is well above of at least 90% of what is called new and original nowadays. If you like strong and inspired, 70's influenced , prog music, Mindrevolutions is recommended.

MINDREVOLUTIONS is that thind of the album of ywhich ou have great expectations from ,but in the end ,you feel a little musical dissapointment,because it let a bitter taste everywhere!It'a a paradox...because It has all the ingredients for something really good-but,unfortunatelly,the final result is quite dissapointing!In my opinion KAIPA 's musicians are far superior to the vocals-and that's the major problem for them!When we think only at the shock duo from THE FLOWER KINGS-ROINE STOLT and JONAS RHEINGOLD-we are in legitimate right to think thet this album must be very well done,and under some aspects Technically speaking,things are very well done ,the songs are some of them uninspired and far too long with weak and monotone moments-but the wonderful production is a major plus for a mediocre album,overall!The monster title track MINDREVOLUTIONS has many interesting moments- but,generally it suffers of far too many uninspired themes and lack of good ideas!It's too long and the line of the composition losts it's identity!I repeat,there is many excellent and inspired tracks on the album,that's undoubtedly,but for an album of almost 80 minutes-the balance between inspired and uninspired songs goes for the weak compositions-Sorry Kaipa!Old prog rock in new clothes,must have something more then a brilliant production and performant musicians!It must have soul and identity!Hardly 3 STARS because I adore THE FLOWER KINGS and KARMAKANIC..but not...yet..KAIPA!SORRY!

I suppose a letdown had to happen. Given this band's history, after two great albums in a row to start their comeback in the new millenium, Kaipa release, not a stinker by any means, but something far less than their previous two albums.

The album starts in a promising way. An interesting intro turns into a bluesy number. Not too bad, but that gives way to bland arena rock. And that's just the first song. Most of the remainder of the album is similar. There are some interesting sections, but the verses and choruses sound like they were hastily written to fill time.

The primary redeeming value to this album is the title track. At twenty five minutes, it certainly qualifies as a prog epic. While it too has some bland sections, it is mostly good, including a guitar solo that gives the impression that Rione Stolt was temporarily channelling the spirit of Allan Holdsworth.

Good, but we know this band can do better.