The Flower Kings - One Of The Band's Best
Steven Sly | Kalamazoo, MI United States | 03/09/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
""Stardust" is the album where The Flower Kings really hit their stride. It remains one of the best in their catalogue and contains what is probably my all time favorite Flower Kings song, the 25 minute epic title track "Stardust We Are". It is really interesting reading other reviews of this album. Some FK fans absolutely hate it, while other love it. For some the title track is overblown and pretentious, for others (myself included here) it is soaring, bombastic, and a perfect slice of prog. It never fails to amaze me how different everyone's taste can be. For me "Stardust We Are" is the ultimate Flower Kings album. The material is spread out over 2 discs and this whole thing runs close to 2 hours. Disc one is loaded with Flower Kings classics opening up with the rocker "In The Eyes Of The World" which has remained a live staple to this day. "Church Of Your Heart" is a 10 minute ballad, that although instrumentally is nothing spectacular, has beautiful vocals from Roine and Hans Froburg. The 12 minute "Circus Brimstone" may be one of the best instrumental tracks the band has ever done. The closer "Compassion" is prime Roine Stolt and a nice way to end out the disc. Disc 2 is not quite as strong in the first half with mostly shorter songs that vary in quality. But the big highlight on disc 2 is the 25 minute title track "Stardust We Are". To me, this is what classic progressive rock is all about and the track contains everything I love about prog rock. Instrumentally the whole band shines on the various instrumental sections of the disc. The vocals, especially delivered on the soaring finale, by Hans Froburg are simply gorgeous full of bombast and splendor. The band has often used "Stardust" as the closing number for their live shows and it is even more effective in a live setting. "Stardust We Are" remains one of my favorite Flower Kings discs and is a must own for fans of the band."