BACK IN THE WORLD OF ADVENTURES

This is the first official Flower Kings album, though I think Roine Stolt's solo album the year before this "The Flower King" is the true first album. Nonetheless, this album is on the same level as Roine's solo album, maybe better. This album contains some TFK classics, starting off with the first track "World Of Adventures". This is one of the best symphonic prog songs Ive ever heard. There's a lot of themes, but many are reprised. What I like about most about the song, and most of the album, is the energy level. Many Flower Kings albums rise and fall in energy, but this one stays upbeat almost the whole time.

The only thing missing on this album, is Hasse Froberg's vocals. I like Roine's vocals just fine, but he's the only one singing lead vocals, and I like that this band features 2 (sometimes 3) lead vocalists. What's cool is that, like the other early TFK albums, is there is more instrumental moments so this isn't really a problem.

The rest of the band is quite inspired here. Roine's solos are heartfelt, Tomas provides a great atmosphere that was lacking on "The Flower King", and the rhythm section of Michael Stolt on bass and Jamie Salazar on drums is solid. I prefer Jonas Reingold on later albums, but Michael Stolt is no slouche, he plays some of the best bass lines Ive heard from the early era of the band.

This album is upbeat symphonic prog, and great to listen to on a warm sunny day, but with enough rockin moments to keep it from getting cheesy, which is something this band is accused of being sometimes; but I think those moments are very rare in my opinion.

If you like Yes, and felt like their best years ended around 1980, listen to this band. They sort of pick up where they left off, but with more eclectic influences, like from other prog and rock bands, and a little jazz influence, though it's very small. This album is too good to miss, and should be in everyone's prog collection. And for the casual fan, this one is essential for understanding what 90s Flower Kings were all about.