SPACE REVOLVER

After listening to Retropolis I felt a little bit underwhelmed by what I've heard but since The Flower Kings have had such a tremendous success I thought that maybe I've started on the wrong foot with this band so I gave them another go.

My choice fell between Unfold The Future and Space Revolver and I went for the latter due to a recommendation from a friend who shares many of my musical tastes. But once again I felt underwhelmed by what I've heard.

I remember that during that same period of me trying to get into this album I also heard the second Transatlantic album which I really enjoyed so this made my Space Revolver-experience even more frustrating since I just couldn't make the connection between those two Roine Stolt albums.

Space Revolver follows the same pattern as Retropolis although this one has the I Am The Sun-suite that kicks off and eventually ends the album which is a definite nod at Pink Floyd's Shine On You Crazy Diamond. I think that most Flower Kings-fans are pleased with this release because it isn't really pushing any new boundaries and is a safe bet which can be considered to be a good thing. Personally I get frustrated when I listen to a progressive band that has no intention of being progressive in the songwriting department. Yes, I agree that the early symphonic prog bands had it much easier doing something new with every new release but I really get the feeling that The Flower Kings enjoys the place they occupy in the progressive rock community and have no intention of going anywhere else.

Musically this album works but due to the issues that I've mentioned I just can't see how it can be considered an excellent addition to a progressive rock music collection.

**** star songs: I Am The Sun - Part One (15:03) Dream On Dreamer (2:43) Rumble Fish Twist (8:06) Monster Within (12:55) You Don't Know What You've Got (2:39) A Kings Prayer (6:02) I Am The Sun - Part Two (10:48)

*** star songs: Chicken Farmer Song (5:09) Underdog (5:29) Slave To Money (7:30)