BACK IN THE WORLD OF ADVENTURES

I've been rating a number of prog material, very diverse in sub-genres, but I feel I have to go for all TFK normal CD's (up to now there are 11), because this group is very special. I feel they are the strongest symphonic prog act since they appeared. They are a huge reference. They are perfectly symphonic, you cannot have a better modern example. Each production is super-quality, is each time characterized by the presence of a certain number of epics, which are almost always the best tracks on the outing, and by a very different panorama of music... which sometimes prevents them to reach the 5-star mark, in my view... If you go for a "best-of" with only epics from this group, you will fill a record of CD's, because they are the most prolific I know from any group, adding each time top-notch quality. Anyway, I see a lot of 'excellent addition to prog collection' marks (around 4...). Like this one.

As we all know, it is their first release as a group, even if the CD 'The Flower King' by Stolt is directly in line with TFK, being the predecessor with a similar line-up, quality and symphonic prog status. One of the best 'first-release' ever, as others pointed out very correctly. Here, the two epics are the best (the first and the last track), and there are about half of only instrumental tracks, where you can hear the beautiful talent of the musicians, featuring of course Roine Stolt and Tomas Bodin, both members being on all CD's, working beautifully together since the beginning. Those two are monuments in here, and this music is easy to listen, even in a prog context. Some very unusual tempos beautifully brought in, by these absolutely super-musicians, and with original composition.

I am in line with the comments posted by others here, as complexity, freshness, execution and variations of moods and tempos are excellent (you can complete by reading them on the actual CD' site... a suggestion, as a lot have been written, accurately). I particularly prefer the drum play of Salazar, in comparison with the others on newer material. On this one and up to 'Stardust', in my view. Very natural and with dexterity.

If you would like to discover modern symphonic-prog, this is the best way to start. If you like, I am sure that you will check for the remaining production of TFK... and like me, you will have them all, buying each CD automatically as they go out. And unlike some groups, you always have for your money, even without listening at first, because it is a sure group. I would say that from Rainmaker and on, there are a few weaker tracks, but there are always enough fantastic tracks, mostly epics, for a safe quality-production. Like this one.

In my book, in an intuitive way, I would say around 4.3 / 4.4. All tracks are good, all adding something original. A very interesting sympho-prog opus.