New Flower Kings album

The following is taken from The Flower Kings official website:

The Flower Kings - Paradox Hotel (2006)

25th February 2006

Double CD first edition comes in Digipack. The release date is March 24th, 2006. Tracklist: Room 111 (disc One): Check In   (Bodin)   1:37 Monsters & Men   (Stolt)   21:21 Jealousy   (Stolt)   3:22 Hit Me With A Hit   (Stolt)   5:32 Pioneers Of Aviation   (Stolt)   7:49 Lucy Had A Dream   (Bodin/Stolt)   5:28 Bavarian Skies   (Bodin/Stolt)   6:34 Selfconsuming Fire   (Stolt)   5:49 Mommy Leave The Light On   (Stolt)   4:38 End On A High Note   (Stolt)   10:43 Room 222 (disc Two): Minor Giant Steps   (Stolt)   12:12 Touch My Heaven   (Bodin)   6:08 The Unorthodox Dancinglesson   (Stolt)   5:24 Man Of The World   ( Reingold/Stolt/Bodin)   5:55 Life Will Kill You   (Fröberg)   7:03 The Way The Waters Are Moving   (Bodin/Stolt)   3:12 What If God Is Alone   (Reingold/Stolt/Fröberg)   6:58 Paradox Hotel   (Stolt/Bodin)   6:29 Blue Planet   (Stolt)   9:42 Musicians: Roine Stolt: guitars, vocal Tomas Bodin: keyboards, backing vocal Hans Froberg: vocal, guitar Jonas Reingold: Bass, acoustic guitar, vocal Marcus Liliequist: drums, percussion, backing vocal Hasse Bruniusson: Marimba & assorted percussion

"Since the mid Nineties, Roine Stolt and his Flower Kings, have maintained a prolific output on a regular basis packing as much music as possible onto each disc and sometimes expanding onto a double album. Each year sees at least one Flower Kings release, plus an array of solo albums and side-projects. One has to ask how can one man produce so much music? After 2004's "Adam & Eve", comes the new Flower Kings studio album "Paradox Hotel", and once again the band have produced another double album packed with prog!

"I guess, it's a combination of burning passion and a clear musical vision", Roine Stolt begins to explain his vast output. "Once I stick to a project, I'll carry it through mercilessly. I'm usually working 14 to 18 hours a day" he tells us, and adds with a smile "I'll probably die young".

Hopefully not, because far beyond the boundaries of prog, Stolt is regarded as am amazingly skilled guitarist, composer and producer who we still expect many more new ideas and compositions to come from. Even more so, since he recently unveiled a different side to his musical persona with the new double solo album "Wall Street Voodoo" in 2005. Stolt gave listeners a somewhat more accessible side to his music for those who had previously found his material a little too demanding. Even those who have so far struggled with the band's music will find something immediately accessible about the Flower Kings' music via "Paradox Hotel".

The 'trick' is actually quite simple, but as is often the case it's the little things which can sometimes have the greatest effect. With the exception of the vocal harmonies, most of the material was recorded live by Stolt and his band mates at Copenhagen's Medley Studio during a week's residence there. Afterwards, the band edited the songs at their own studio over a two month period. "This album is not as focussed on detail, it has raw edges and isn't based so much on complex themes as is usually the case" says Stolt. "We painted with a thicker brush, so to speak. However, the melody side is still very strong, and the whole thing sounds much more dynamic than we have been in the past". Furthermore, keyboardist Tomas Bodin and bassist Jonas Reingold were more involved in the songwriting process than in the past, and even Hasse Froberg has composed one song.

Thematically, the record deals with the curiosity of existence, and the "Paradox Hotel" is a reference to people's life on Earth. "We are only guests here; we can't take much with us. We check in, we use the hotel bar, pay the bill – you get nothing for free – and then leave again sometime", Stolt explains the concept. "We live for a while, without having any real idea of our purpose. Good things as well as bad things apparently happen by coincidence, but they always happen when we least expect them. Nobody has ever seen God, the manager of this 'establishment' but most people suppose he is doing his job somewhere"

The artwork for the new album was created by Andres Valles, an Argentinian friend of the band. The world's duality can once again be found in the music, with tracks such as "Minor Giant Steps" (complex arrangements in the spirit of Yes or King Crimson), or "The Unorthodox Dancing Lesson" (a Zappa-esque rhythm monster with its 13/8 timing). Blues rockers such as "Pioneers Of Aviation" feature a multitude of percussion and enthusiastic solos while other numbers showcase real Wurlitzer piano, flutes and a female choir. One such track, "Jealousy" is an ironic look at the devil envying the suffering of human beings.

With "Paradox Hotel", the "FloKis" as they are affectionately known, will keep their devoted fanbase happy and undoubtedly win over new listeners. Master Stolt needn't be afraid of any sleepless nights, besides he will most likely be brooding over his next project at full moon anyway...

Upcoming gigs in 2006!

23rd January 2006

Date		Location	Venue
Wed	Mar 08, 2006	Mexicali, Mexico (close to California, USA)	BAJAPROG
Sat	Mar 11, 2006	Denver, USA	The Oriental Theatre
	Promoted by Colorado Art Rock Society
Wed	Apr 05, 2006	Lithuania, Vilnius	Venue PHC
	Venue PHC Naugarduko,76,Vilnius.Lithuania tel: + 370 5 233 3663 fax: + 370 5 2333566		Promoted by HoneyBe Entertainment Penktoji arena Vytenio 6, office 309 LT-03113 Vilnius, Lithuania Tel: + 370 5 233 4712 Fax: + 370 5 233 6466 E-mail: [email protected]
Fri	Apr 07, 2006	Poland, Poznan	Zeppelin hall
	For questions/tickets contact : "OSKAR", ul. Zawicowa 42, 62-002 Suchy Las tel.fax +48 (0) 61 8115 417 e-mail: [email protected]		Sales : - ART-ROCK - ul. WIELKA 9, 61-640 Poznan. tel. +48 (0) 61 855 27 93 - CiM - ul. Ratajczaka 44, 61-728 Poznan. tel. +48 (0) 61 851 96 45 - ACID SHOP - ul. Ogrodowa 20, 61-820 Poznan. tel. +48 (0) 61 852 28 51
Sat	Apr 08, 2006	Slovakia, Nitra	Stara Pekaren
	For questions/tickets contact: www.doubleheadpro.com
Sun	Apr 09, 2006	Hungary, Budapest	Schiff A-38
	For questions/tickets contact: Live Sound Productions at [email protected]
Mon	Apr 10, 2006	Austria, Vienna	Planet Music
	For questions contact: [email protected]		Promoted by ConXious www.conxious.com
Tue	Apr 11, 2006	Germany, Aschaffenburg	Colos-saal
Wed	Apr 12, 2006	Italy, Milano/Trezzo	Live Music Club
Fri	Apr 14, 2006	Italy, Rome	Stazione Birra
	Promoted by www.progressivamente.info
Sat	Apr 15, 2006	France, Lyon	C.C.O.
	Tickets at: FNAC, CARREFOUR (hypermarket), GEANT(hypermarket) and on the website www.fnac.com
Sun	Apr 16, 2006	France, Paris	La Locomotive
	Tickets at: Fnac, Virgin, France Billet & Ticketnet		This is an early show which will start around 19.15!
Mon	Apr 17, 2006	Belgium, Verviers	Spirit of 66
	This is an early show which will start around 19.00!
Tue	Apr 18, 2006	Germany, Oberhausen	Zentrum Altenberg
	Promoted by Impuls promotion
Wed	Apr 19, 2006	The Netherlands, Tilburg	013
	Tickets at: www.ticketmaster.nl

We are looking into one or two swedish dates as well. But it is too early to tell what will happen. Unfortunately we can not play the UK, Spain, Portugal, or Switzerland this time around....We'll make up for that!

Hope to see you all out there!!!

Rob Palmen on behalf of the band

TheProgtologist wrote: chamberry wrote: where's  Daniel Gildenlow ?  Wasn't he on the band on the last album? If I remember correctly he bailed on them during their last tour of the US because he wouldn't let the US Govt. fingerprint him so he could be allowed entry into the country. Maybe Uncle Roine is mad.

haha... that's pathetic and sad. I'm beginning to lose respect for musicians I usually enjoy...

Ohhh noooo fingerprints!!! Oh my god!!!! Armageddon! Run for the hills.....

lunaticviolist wrote: I haven't heard any Flower Kings.  I hope this will be a good introduction.

I've heard the album Paradox Hotel already, just buy Space Revolver...

chamberry wrote: The Ryan wrote: TheProgtologist wrote: chamberry wrote: where's  Daniel Gildenlow ?  Wasn't he on the band on the last album? If I remember correctly he bailed on them during their last tour of the US because he wouldn't let the US Govt. fingerprint him so he could be allowed entry into the country. Maybe Uncle Roine is mad. haha... that's pathetic and sad. I'm beginning to lose respect for musicians I usually enjoy... Ohhh noooo fingerprints!!! Oh my god!!!! Armageddon! Run for the hills..... I knew that he doesn't like the US goverment but that is just pathetic . . . and sad

That's not pathetic or sad at all.  So what, Gildenlow doesn't want to get fingerprinted.  Do you understand why?  Gildenlow is against war and control that fingerprinting is in support of.  It's a shame more people and musicians don't do more of what they believe in.  As disappointed I am that Gildenlow and Pain of Salvation won't be coming here, I have more respect for Gildenlow doing what is right and refusing to support what is wrong.

About The Flower Kings, I think it's great they are coming out with a new album.  I hope it's released in local stores around here because nothing hurts more than ordering albums.