(2022) The Flower Kings – Space Revolver ∕ The Rainmaker    


Review:
Swedish progressive rock legends The Flower Kings, and longtime label-partners InsideOutMusic, will begin an extensive reissue campaign in 2022, which will see the entire catalogue of the band reissued on CD & Vinyl in remastered editions. The next in the series is the band’s fifth album Space Revolver, which saw the arrival of Jonas Reingold on bass and band sixth album The Rainmaker. Sweden’s The Flower Kings represent the finer elements of progressive rock as they artfully expound upon the early-’70s, much beloved British Canterbury Scene amid dashes of psychedelic rock and to a lesser extent, jazz fusion. With this 2000 release, the musicians continue their forward thinking ways, as they touch upon disparate elements amid complex arrangements and tenacious ensemble work along with the occasional nod to contemporary jazz, thanks to multi-instrumentalist Ulf Wallander’s tasty soprano saxophone work. And while the band often takes the listener on a whirlwind tour of memorably melodic themes, impacting rhythms and circuitous discourses, lead vocalist Roine Stolt’s authoritative presence and concisely executed vocals only enhance the overall proceedings. Simply stated, Space Revolver is a beautifully recorded opus. One that is brimming with ingenuity and the band’s distinctive approach to a genre that often flounders within it’s own sense of uncertainty.

Disc 1 - Space Revolver [Digitally remastered and remixed edition]
1. I Am the Sun, Pt. 1 (2022 Remaster) (15:03)
2. Dream on Dreamer (2022 Remaster) (2:42)
3. Rumble Fish Twist (2022 Remaster) (8:04)
4. Monster Within (2022 Remaster) (12:50)
5. Chicken Farmer Song (2022 Remaster) (5:09)
6. Underdog (2022 Remaster) (5:31)
7. You Don’t Know What You’ve Got (2022 Remaster) (2:39)
8. Slave to Money (2022 Remaster) (7:30)
9. A Kings Prayer (2022 Remaster) (6:09)
10. I Am the Sun, Pt. 2 (2022 Remaster) (10:37)



Review:
The Flower Kings must be the most stable, consistent progressive rock outfit of the 1990s. A year after the release of Space Revolver, they released The Rainmaker, featuring the usual lineup (although the liner notes announce it is Jaime Salazar’s last recording with the group) and Don Azzaro at the mixing desk. In general, this album remains very close to the Flower Kings sound and could be traded with any of their previous efforts. There is one difference: it sounds just a bit closer to metal. Is the fact that it rocks harder a sign that the Inside Out Music America roaster is beginning to rub off on Roine Stolt’s writing? The album opener “Last Minute on Earth” could even scare a few fans or lure newcomers into believing a conversion has occurred. But this impression fades away quickly upon listening to “World Without a Heart,” a typical FK ballad. As usual, the music gets wider and more symphonic on longer numbers like “Road to Sanctuary” or “City of Angels” but these lack the majesty of earlier opuses. “Elaine” and “Thru the Walls,” on the other hand, will delight fans and introduce a jazzier element. The Rainmaker is not as gripping or rewarding as Flower Power or Retropolis. It misses a strong anthem and sounds as if the musicians were going through the motions. All the ingredients are there, except maybe the passion we are used to.

Disc 2 - The Rainmaker [Digitally remastered and remixed edition]
1. Last Minute On Earth (2022 Remaster) (11:33)
2. World Without a Heart (2022 Remaster) (4:39)
3. Road to Sanctuary (2022 Remaster) (13:58 )
4. The Rainmaker (2022 Remaster) (6:04)
5. City of Angels (2022 Remaster) (12:06)
6. Elaine (2022 Remaster) (4:57)
7. Thru the Walls (2022 Remaster) (4:30)
8. Sword of God (2022 Remaster) (6:03)
9. Blessing of a Smile (2022 Remaster) (3:11)
10. Red Alert (2022 Remaster) (1:10)
11. Serious Dreamers (2022 Remaster) (9:01)


   


Media Report:
Genre: prog-rock
Country: Sweden
Format: FLAC
Format/Info: Free Lossless Audio Codec
Bit rate mode: Variable
Channel(s): 2 channels
Sampling rate: 44.1 KHz
Bit depth: 16 bits
Compression mode: Lossless
Writing library: libFLAC 1.2.1 (UTC 2007-09-17)


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