FLOWER POWER

This is modern symphonic prog rock at its best. Disc 1 features the magnificent suite known as Garden of Dreams, which still stands as the best thing The Flower Kings have ever done. The 18-song suite takes us through many sounds and styles, eventually capping itself off with one of the greatest endings the progressive rock genre has ever had.

And the rest of the album is stellar as well. The last song on Disc 1, an excellent instrumental called Astral Dog, is a very chilling tune to relax to after having your mind blown by Garden of Dreams, and then its off to the fantastic Disc 2, which features a great mixture of ambient songs, short snappy rockers and a small handful of mini-epics.

Overall, this album is a magnificent achievement in the annals of symphonic prog rock, and I can safely call it The Flower Kings' masterpiece. Modern prog rock albums do not get any more essential than this.