BACK IN THE WORLD OF ADVENTURES

'Back in the World of Adventures' is just one of the best 90s progressive rock albums and just another really, really excellent debut by a band from the scene. The Flower Kings' story is quite well known at this point - they were founded as Roine Stolt's touring band after the release of his third solo album, which happens to be another iconic release for the 90s revival of the most unfashionable sub-genre of rock music. Except the brilliant performance of Stolt, who handles all guitars, vocals, and some keys, 'Back in the World of Adventures' also sees the talents of Tomas Bodin on Hammond organ, Mellotron, synths, pianos and flute, Michael Stolt on bass, and Jaime Salazar behind the drum kit. Additionally, Hans Bruniusson plays percussion on one song, and Ulf Wallander handles all saxophone parts.

A joyous collection of uplifting and mind-blowing songs, it is quite impressive to see a band begin their career with such a strong recording; All elements that would later come to be associated with the "classic" TFK sound are present here - the lush and exuberant instrumentation, the complex song structures, the challenging and philosophical lyrics, and on top of all, the perpetually-gorgeous vocals that are an essential element of the Swedes' music (no matter who happens to sing them; It is Stolt all the way, in this case).

The album is a thrilling ride for the listener from the very beginning with the 13-minute title track, already a classic of 90s prog/neo-prog, a very rich and memorable composition that sets a simultaneously divine and welcoming tone for the sound of the collective overall. Another highlight is the unexpectedly "heavy" 'Go West Judas', a song that could be easily referred to as one of The Flower Kings' bangers. This is followed by 'Train to Nowhere', a beautiful shorter song with astonishing guitar and bass moments. 'Theme for a Hero' is quite an enjoyable and playful instrumental, very much in the style of Yes or Camel, stylishly symphonic and extraordinarily original. 'My Cosmic Lover' is another fun song, a very catchy, almost 90s pop tune about a? cosmic lover, obviously. The album finishes off with another epic 13-minute song called 'Big Puzzle'; another one of their stronger offerings and a brilliant album closer.

A great and important album that is; Recorder at the end of 1994 and finished the next year, 'Back in the World of Adventures' always sounds vibrant and inspired, this album hasn't lost a pound of its joy, energy and enigmatism for all these years, proving that it is not only an enduring classic for the band, but also a very strong representation of what the genre of progressive rock is all about.