UNFOLD THE FUTURE

A sprawling 2 CD set from Roine and the gang. You really do get value for money from the Flower Kings in terms of the volume, but what of the music?

The scene is set by the 30 minute opening tack, "The truth will set you free". For a track to justify such a length, it needs to be exceptional. For me, this track does not attain that accolade, even if it is well constructed and performed. The moves from almost commercial vocal sections to and from semi-improvised jazz based ones can be a bit jarring at times, but overall, the piece holds up pretty well.

There are some tracks which I will never get. "Christianopel", and "The devil's danceschool" for example, which reminded me of some of Radiohead's most challenging and indulgent pieces. Here the band do not appear to have even agreed between themselves how the track should be structured. At the other extreme we have the almost power pop of "Fast lane" and the melodic beauty of "Solitary shell". The album closes with the 25 minute "The devil's playground", a veritable concoction of prog clichés, a bit of ELP here, a bit of Yes there, a pompous fanfare here, a sudden quickening of the pace there. A good track, but it all sounds a bit too familiar.

The Flower Kings can be really hard work. I find with every album I listen to by them that first impressions are invariably more adverse than favourable. I don't think I'll ever enjoy any of their albums in its entirety, but in many ways the diversity is what makes them alluring.

With the Flower Kings persistence is the key though. They can initially seem like a daunting challenge but each listen does reveal new things to enjoy. Like Guinness, their music is an acquired taste.

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