ADAM & EVE

When I was browsing through Best Buy (American chain of electronics stores) yesterday, I wasn't expecting to find anything Prog related that was something I was looking for (Besides Rush, Yes, and Pink Floyd). Then I browse through the F's and find this album. Now, I've been interested in the Flower Kings in a long time, and I must say that this album is kind of a let down to their previous albums. After you get past the risque cover art, and finally put the album in the player, you are whisked into another world.

The opening track, the first Suite on the album Love Supreme, sounds a little too poppy for my taste, but I really got into it. Roine Stolt is a very good guitarist, weaving together great melody and solos into the tight mix. I should also give credit to the other members of the band, they all did a good job on the album (Although I didn't really like Gildenlow, it's listenable). Other stand out tracks include the heavy-metal Adam and Eve, with heavy guitars and raunchy vocals, Driver's Seat, the second suite, and The Blade of Cain.

The downfall to this album comes in two forms, lyrics that are sub-par, and partly on Daniel Gildenlow. I can tolerate his stuff with Pain of Salvation, but he doesn't really fit with the Flower Kings. The lyrics are all around too poppy, and some songs could have used a lot of lyrical refinement.

Overall, it is an okay album. It's not one I'd recommend to someone who wants to get into the Flower Kings, but it was a sufficient effort. Let's hope the next one will be better.