Love the enthusiasm! "Sum" would be much lower on my list and "Islands" much higher, I thought that was an incredible, diverse album. The new one hasn't landed with me yet after a couple of plays...(another double of short songs?! Really???)? Seems like way too much material and nothing really new said...as fresh as Islands seemed to me, this one seems derivative of itself. But maybe I'll come around upon further listenings, that typically happens!
Another band I had never heard of - ROFL! Spent a few hours listening to random albums and some songs and they are superb. I swear I have a gotten so much new musical enjoyment from this channel I am forever grateful!
Thank you for this video! I first met The Flower Kings in 2012 with Banks of Eden. I was hooked with one particular song - For Those About to Drawn, which kind of reminds me of Procol Harum's Grand Hotel. And back then my journey began. Nowadays The Flower Kings are one of my top 5 favorite bands of all time. I love every single album. They don't have a bad record at all. A band that has no forbidden territories. Bavarian Skies - what a brave and vintage track. I can go on and on for the whole day. In 2020 Islands became my album of the year. It's possibly my favorite album from Stolt and co. along with Flower Power. I have no doubt that By Royal Decree is a great contender for an album of the year. Love is the Only Answer is my favorite TFK song. And that's the explanation for my feelings about the music they do - Love!
Thanks Scot. I had heard the Flower Kings once many years ago, and I didn't have a good first impression and never listened to them again. Thanks to you I listened to the first two that you raked and I loved "The sum of no evil". It blew my mind. It has quite a bit of early Yes, but it's exquisite. It's a perfect album IMO. I ran out to look for my notebook to buy it!
I've struggled to get into the recent albums Waiting for Miracles and Islands. I have the album The Flower King and Stardust We Are and like both of those. This helps me know what to try next. Seems like I need try some of the older ones although I already have the coming one ordered. Thanks for the ranked recommendations.
Very good overview, I don't know some albums as well as others so that was useful. Those first 3 Kaipa albums would be so much more well known if they sang in English (which is not a requirement of any non English speakers to do though).
For a loooong time I wouldn’t listen to non-English Prog bands if they sing in their native tongue. Big mistake!!! I would have totally missed out on so many great bands. Especially Italian ones!!! We sometimes get wiser as we age. Sometimes.
Great band, your ranking is pretty much the same as mine, so not worth posting it. Love this band, they have a huge affinity for timeless melodies and unique arrangements. They excell in every instrument without the rudeness to shout it out loud. And good eye for art covers as well! Thanks for the video, it was excellent.
I discovered the Flower Kings in '97 and won a competition to name their fan cub newsetter - naturally it was called 'World of Adventures', tough I doubt there was that much competition. Cant argue with your ranking though just becasue they were my first Id rank Retropolis and The Flower King a bit higher with Unfold the Future as my favourite, mainly due to its jazz fusioniness acros a few of the tracks, though Stardust is a very close second. Got to see them a number of times up to around Adam and Eve after which my gig going days just about stopped (back problems, though I'm ok now). I also really like Tomas Bodin's solo albums and was a bit disappointed that he doesnt appear on all of Alive on Planet Earth, but there are other live recordings- fan club CDs etc - with him on. And Hasse Froberg is absolutely invaluable as vocalist and second guitar. Out of the bands that rose to prominence duirng the mid to late 90's The Flower Kings and Spock's Beard - and thereafter Transtlantic and the Neal Morse Band, are for me the best of them all. Really looking forward to the new one, cant wait.
@@TheProgCorner Being a Roine Stolt fan presumably you'll have also checked out The Tangent -Edit Note - I've just had a look on your Fire Note site and yes obviously you are well aware of them! For those who havent heard of The Tangent though they evolved from Parallel or 90 Degrees in the 90's and are led by one of the very best keyboard players around at the moment, Andy Tillison. Roine was on their first couple of albums and if you've not heard them I'd recommend checking them out.
You did it again Scot!!!! Great band Flower Kings. Top 3 could be my top too. I know many stuff from FK but I don't know all discography but I dig these guys and their music!!! I'll hear them more often. I've already heard one new track "Blindman" and it's amazing. See you mate!!
TFK is my favorite modern prog band, and it is because of what just appeared here : their top-notch CDs ! And I agree very good with the ranking in a general way. Their lowest production (Low means quite good, still) is nicely described, and their best ones also. I have all the 17 CDs discussed here and I listen to them quite often, as it is all melodic but well constructed. And I have Fl. Power / Stardust quite equal, as there are two of the best epics of all time, Garden of Dreams and Stardust. This last one is useful to define what a class epic song is ! Time goes by, and I love them more and more ! Only deception : no more epics since 3-4 CDs, as they have a lot of good ones out of the first 3/4 life.
I love the epics and felt they were sorely missed on Waiting For Miracles and Islands but the new one doesn’t need anything else. It’s really, really good!!! Almost sounds a bit like Stardust we are with both Michael Stolt and Hasse Bruinisson back in the fold…
I don't know how I missed this one. The Flower Kings is a mixed bag for me. I absolutely love Space Revolver at #1, Flower Power at #2, and Stardust We Are at #3 I go back regularly and listen to these. I really like The Flower King, and go back to it occasionally. I rarely go back to Back in the World of Adventures and Retropolis...usually during a Flower Kings binge. The rest I hardly ever go back to listen, especially Unfold the Future. That jazzier album just really put me off. Those top three are at the top of my prog collection!
It's great to see Flower Power up there (that's my number 1), but I just don't understand why Sum is at 2. Another RUclipsr placed it as his number 1! I must be missing something, it is obviously a great album because it's TFK, but up against Paradox Hotel, Waiting for Miracles, Unfold the Future, Sum for me just doesn't match them. Interesting. Great list btw. Enjoying Look At You Now.
My favorite album is "Unhold the future". " Flower power" also a masterpiece. I don't like "Stardust we are" so much as others, it even not in my top 5. Already listen 2 time a new album and it seems very strong and interesting, but not a 10 of 10 - about 8/10. Hello from Ukraine) 🇺🇦
I’m thinking 8.5/10. I really like it a lot. Yeah The Flower Kings are one of those bands where if you ask twenty fans what their favorite album is you get 15 different answers!!! Our prayers are with you here in the USA!!! We stand with Ukraine!!! 🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦
The Flower Kings!!! Yeah, I bought the first two already. I have the first pressing of Stardust We Are so I’ll probably skip it and just get Flower Power!!! So exciting to have these on vinyl. Finally!!!
I would go with the new one, By Royal Decree, actually. It’s a great mix of old and new Flower Kings stylings!!! It’s assessable yet still very progressive!!!
I’m not sure if I should do a Spock’s Beard and a Neal Morse ranking or if I should combine all the Morse stuff into one big ranking. What do you think?
@@TheProgCorner That could get ridiculous if you include all the Morse solo and NMB along with Spock's Beard, Transatlantic and Flying Colors. You'll be ranking billions and billions of albums. LOL He's certainly prolific.
I’m thinking about doing all the Morse Prog albums where he is a principal songwriter. So no covers albums, the Christmas album or Flying Colors (as he is NOT the main writer…) Still not sure but I’m looking forward to it. I love Neal. Obviously!!! ❤️
@@TheProgCorner yhanx for responding ...yeah it's a tough one sorry ;-) guys in prog are so prolific but i'm sure you're gonna manage this perfectly Exit Morse albums let's have a focus on spock's beard carreer if you're ok of course ....
I’ll probably end up doing a Spock’s rundown and then later doing the Big One with all of Neal’s work. Big fan of Ted Leonard. How do you like Pattern-Seeking Animals???
Well, technically, the Flower King wasn't his first solo album but it may as well have been (the early ones apparently were very poppy and not very good- I haven't actually heard them but that's the word on the streets. ;) ).
You can tell I’m a rookie but that’s a really helpful tip!!! Thank you for that piece of advice!!! I’ll try to look at the camera lens and not the monitor…
Love the enthusiasm! "Sum" would be much lower on my list and "Islands" much higher, I thought that was an incredible, diverse album. The new one hasn't landed with me yet after a couple of plays...(another double of short songs?! Really???)? Seems like way too much material and nothing really new said...as fresh as Islands seemed to me, this one seems derivative of itself. But maybe I'll come around upon further listenings, that typically happens!
I like this one more than Islands - which I too thought was pretty great!!! This new one sounds a little like older Flower Kings…
Another band I had never heard of - ROFL! Spent a few hours listening to random albums and some songs and they are superb. I swear I have a gotten so much new musical enjoyment from this channel I am forever grateful!
That’s what it’s all about!!!! ❤️❤️❤️
Thank you for this video! I first met The Flower Kings in 2012 with Banks of Eden. I was hooked with one particular song - For Those About to Drawn, which kind of reminds me of Procol Harum's Grand Hotel. And back then my journey began. Nowadays The Flower Kings are one of my top 5 favorite bands of all time. I love every single album. They don't have a bad record at all. A band that has no forbidden territories. Bavarian Skies - what a brave and vintage track. I can go on and on for the whole day. In 2020 Islands became my album of the year. It's possibly my favorite album from Stolt and co. along with Flower Power. I have no doubt that By Royal Decree is a great contender for an album of the year. Love is the Only Answer is my favorite TFK song. And that's the explanation for my feelings about the music they do - Love!
They are my favorite “modern” Prog band. Only Neal Morse comes close to Roine Stolt. So yeah, I’m a huge Transatlantic guy too!!!
Thanks Scot.
I had heard the Flower Kings once many years ago, and I didn't have a good first impression and never listened to them again.
Thanks to you I listened to the first two that you raked and I loved "The sum of no evil". It blew my mind. It has quite a bit of early Yes, but it's exquisite. It's a perfect album IMO.
I ran out to look for my notebook to buy it!
I was the same way with them. Didn’t like ‘em. And then I did!!!! Like magic.
I've struggled to get into the recent albums Waiting for Miracles and Islands. I have the album The Flower King and Stardust We Are and like both of those. This helps me know what to try next. Seems like I need try some of the older ones although I already have the coming one ordered. Thanks for the ranked recommendations.
The new one sounds like Stardust We Are. You are going to love it !!!
Great band! One of my favs. Our ranking lists differ greatly, haha, thanks for yours! Looking forward to the new album.
Oh, it’s really good!!! ❤️
Very good overview, I don't know some albums as well as others so that was useful. Those first 3 Kaipa albums would be so much more well known if they sang in English (which is not a requirement of any non English speakers to do though).
For a loooong time I wouldn’t listen to non-English Prog bands if they sing in their native tongue. Big mistake!!! I would have totally missed out on so many great bands. Especially Italian ones!!! We sometimes get wiser as we age. Sometimes.
Great band, your ranking is pretty much the same as mine, so not worth posting it. Love this band, they have a huge affinity for timeless melodies and unique arrangements. They excell in every instrument without the rudeness to shout it out loud. And good eye for art covers as well! Thanks for the video, it was excellent.
I love them so much!!!
Space revolver is the one i keep coming back to.Its so good . I am the sun pt 2 is killer.
Amazing!!!
I discovered the Flower Kings in '97 and won a competition to name their fan cub newsetter - naturally it was called 'World of Adventures', tough I doubt there was that much competition. Cant argue with your ranking though just becasue they were my first Id rank Retropolis and The Flower King a bit higher with Unfold the Future as my favourite, mainly due to its jazz fusioniness acros a few of the tracks, though Stardust is a very close second. Got to see them a number of times up to around Adam and Eve after which my gig going days just about stopped (back problems, though I'm ok now).
I also really like Tomas Bodin's solo albums and was a bit disappointed that he doesnt appear on all of Alive on Planet Earth, but there are other live recordings- fan club CDs etc - with him on. And Hasse Froberg is absolutely invaluable as vocalist and second guitar.
Out of the bands that rose to prominence duirng the mid to late 90's The Flower Kings and Spock's Beard - and thereafter Transtlantic and the Neal Morse Band, are for me the best of them all.
Really looking forward to the new one, cant wait.
You are speaking my language!!! Neal Morse and Roine Stolt are my two favorite artists ever!!!
@@TheProgCorner Being a Roine Stolt fan presumably you'll have also checked out The Tangent -Edit Note - I've just had a look on your Fire Note site and yes obviously you are well aware of them!
For those who havent heard of The Tangent though they evolved from Parallel or 90 Degrees in the 90's and are led by one of the very best keyboard players around at the moment, Andy Tillison. Roine was on their first couple of albums and if you've not heard them I'd recommend checking them out.
Excellent suggestion. I love Andy Tillison!!! New album later this year too!!!
You did it again Scot!!!! Great band Flower Kings. Top 3 could be my top too. I know many stuff from FK but I don't know all discography but I dig these guys and their music!!! I'll hear them more often. I've already heard one new track "Blindman" and it's amazing. See you mate!!
Long live The Flower Kings!!!
TFK is my favorite modern prog band, and it is because of what just appeared here : their top-notch CDs ! And I agree very good with the ranking in a general way. Their lowest production (Low means quite good, still) is nicely described, and their best ones also. I have all the 17 CDs discussed here and I listen to them quite often, as it is all melodic but well constructed. And I have Fl. Power / Stardust quite equal, as there are two of the best epics of all time, Garden of Dreams and Stardust. This last one is useful to define what a class epic song is ! Time goes by, and I love them more and more !
Only deception : no more epics since 3-4 CDs, as they have a lot of good ones out of the first 3/4 life.
I love the epics and felt they were sorely missed on Waiting For Miracles and Islands but the new one doesn’t need anything else. It’s really, really good!!! Almost sounds a bit like Stardust we are with both Michael Stolt and Hasse Bruinisson back in the fold…
I need to check out this band. Thanks for the video.
Please do and let me know what you think!!!
You should
Interesting Ranking mine would be different but thats what makes rankings coool :)
Indeed!!! Can’t wait to review the new one!!!
cant wait to see what you think cant wait to see what I think too hahahaahaahahahaha @@TheProgCorner
I don't know how I missed this one. The Flower Kings is a mixed bag for me. I absolutely love Space Revolver at #1, Flower Power at #2, and Stardust We Are at #3 I go back regularly and listen to these. I really like The Flower King, and go back to it occasionally. I rarely go back to Back in the World of Adventures and Retropolis...usually during a Flower Kings binge. The rest I hardly ever go back to listen, especially Unfold the Future. That jazzier album just really put me off. Those top three are at the top of my prog collection!
Have you given the new one a listen? It definitely has a little Stardust magic to it!!!
I haven't heard the new one. I'll definitely have to give it a shot.
I think it’s their best in YEARS!!!
Great listings! Thanks.
So many great albums!!!
Great band, nice ranking. I'd have Unfold the Future at no.1 but I love fusion and jazz 👍
Such a great band that an album that good doesn’t top my list. I love Roine Stolt!!!
It's great to see Flower Power up there (that's my number 1), but I just don't understand why Sum is at 2. Another RUclipsr placed it as his number 1! I must be missing something, it is obviously a great album because it's TFK, but up against Paradox Hotel, Waiting for Miracles, Unfold the Future, Sum for me just doesn't match them. Interesting. Great list btw. Enjoying Look At You Now.
I love all 16 albums!!!!
Umm, you like the Classic FK. I'm partial to 2007-2013 FK. Outstanding comments, Scott!
I love The Flower Kings!!! My lowest rated album (The Rainmaker) is still 7.5/10 to these ears. I love it all. Long live Roine.
I have never heard them..plenty to explore here
What a terrific band. Their discography will keep you busy for a while!!!
I have a few Flower Kings albums, but you've ranked the ones I have near the bottom 😂
Even my least favorite is a solid 7.5/10 to me. I just love them!!! ❤️
My favorite album is "Unhold the future". " Flower power" also a masterpiece. I don't like "Stardust we are" so much as others, it even not in my top 5. Already listen 2 time a new album and it seems very strong and interesting, but not a 10 of 10 - about 8/10.
Hello from Ukraine) 🇺🇦
I’m thinking 8.5/10. I really like it a lot. Yeah The Flower Kings are one of those bands where if you ask twenty fans what their favorite album is you get 15 different answers!!! Our prayers are with you here in the USA!!! We stand with Ukraine!!! 🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦
Have you heard the 2022 remasters of the first four albums?
I have not. You’re talking about the Wooden Nickel records?
@@TheProgCornerI think so. So far Roine Stolt has remastered "Back in the World of Adventures", "Retropolis", "Stardust We Are", and "Flower Power".
The Flower Kings!!! Yeah, I bought the first two already. I have the first pressing of Stardust We Are so I’ll probably skip it and just get Flower Power!!! So exciting to have these on vinyl. Finally!!!
What would you recommend as a starting point for someone with no experience??
I would go with the new one, By Royal Decree, actually. It’s a great mix of old and new Flower Kings stylings!!! It’s assessable yet still very progressive!!!
what about spock's beard ranking ;-))
I’m not sure if I should do a Spock’s Beard and a Neal Morse ranking or if I should combine all the Morse stuff into one big ranking. What do you think?
@@TheProgCorner That could get ridiculous if you include all the Morse solo and NMB along with Spock's Beard, Transatlantic and Flying Colors. You'll be ranking billions and billions of albums. LOL He's certainly prolific.
I’m thinking about doing all the Morse Prog albums where he is a principal songwriter. So no covers albums, the Christmas album or Flying Colors (as he is NOT the main writer…) Still not sure but I’m looking forward to it. I love Neal. Obviously!!! ❤️
@@TheProgCorner yhanx for responding ...yeah it's a tough one sorry ;-) guys in prog are so prolific but i'm sure you're gonna manage this perfectly
Exit Morse albums let's have a focus on spock's beard carreer if you're ok of course ....
I’ll probably end up doing a Spock’s rundown and then later doing the Big One with all of Neal’s work. Big fan of Ted Leonard. How do you like Pattern-Seeking Animals???
Well, technically, the Flower King wasn't his first solo album but it may as well have been (the early ones apparently were very poppy and not very good- I haven't actually heard them but that's the word on the streets. ;) ).
(I haven't heard them either...)
Like your channel, but look into the screen , you are looking beside the screen… very good channel otherwise
You can tell I’m a rookie but that’s a really helpful tip!!! Thank you for that piece of advice!!! I’ll try to look at the camera lens and not the monitor…
@@TheProgCorner thank you, from a new subscriber from Sweden 😁
That’s awesome!!! I’ve never been to Sweden but many of my favorite bands are Swedish!!! 🇸🇪 🇸🇪🇸🇪🇸🇪🇸🇪🇸🇪🇸🇪