THE RAINMAKER

This is one of the lowest rated studio albums that THE FLOWER KINGS have recorded. I knew that before I started to listen to it, yet "The Rainmaker" still brought some sunshine into my prog world. This is surprisingly good. These guys consistantly put out great songs, in fact there isn't one FLOWER KING record that doesn't have at least one killer track on it. Their drummer Jaime Salazar would leave after this record, this was known before this album was put out, and I must say he delivers probably his best performance up to this point.

"Last Minute On Earth" is such a great tune. It opens with what sounds like native chanting(The Rainmaker) and this voice will return later in the album. Heavy drums and guitar follow. Both sound amazing ! Some organ adds to the sound. A calm and vocals come in. Hasse is the vocalist here and he sounds very passionate. The contrast of calm and heavy continues. A change 5 minutes in as it speeds up with organ, guitar and drums leading the way. Vocals and a calm are back 7 1/2 minutes in. "World Without A Heart" is a mellow track with strummed guitar, bass, light drums, piano and relaxed vocals. "Road To Sanctuary" is the longest song on here with the usual changes in tempo and mood. From uptempo to dark and dramatic. Some aggressive vocals 2 minutes in. Xylophone before 4 minutes. A calm with flute after 5 minutes. Fragile vocals and a calm before 7 minutes. A keyboard melody leads the way 10 minutes in with some great guitar melodies.

"The Rainmaker" is one of my favourites. It starts slowly before marching-like drums and soaring guitar melodies come in. Nice. An atmospheric track with some mellotron 4 minutes in. Synths to end it. "City Of Angels" opens with such a beautiful upbeat sound. Vocals follow. Just a feel good track, although there are different moods presented throughout this 12 minute song. I like the guitar led melody that is so tasteful later on in the song. "Elaine" is ok I guess, it's a mellow track and i'm not sure what to think of the lyrics. "Thru The Walls" opens with organ that reminds me of Banks. This is another relaxed tune. The Rainmaker is back chanting late in the song. "Sword Of God" is a great song with some ripping guitar and passionate vocals. The drumming and keyboard work is outstanding as well. This is surprisingly heavy. "Blessing Of A Smile" is an instrumental with sax, and it does make me smile. "Red Alert" is another instrumental at just over a minute in length. This is bouncey with lots of keys. "Serious Dreamers" is one of those songs that seems to get better as it plays out. Vocals, drums and synths lead the way on this one.

I really don't think these guys could make a bad album. In fact if you ever see any of their cds new or used that you don't have... buy !