Here are Roine's thoughts on the idea of filler and whatnot (which he posted 9 days ago at the FK yahoo mailing list), and he starts off with some major sarcasm
:
Filler = "Songs I don't like"
The funny thing is that some prog fans out there seriously consider
the possibility
that a band like TFK put second rate material to "fill" an album
because "they were short on material".
In reality there is a bulk of material floating around that for one
reason or another will not end up on a certain album
just to show up on a later TFK album (or even a Transatlantic album)
- and who knows becoming a fan fave.
The complexity and politics of chosing songs to an album is not easy
and all I can say is that we work
with the best intention to fill a couple of criterias.
Those being: songs with good catchy riffs and melodies, interesting,
clever or just plain positive uplifting lyrics,
Interesting arrangements with cool time signatures and stand out solo
sections and production to the highest of standards.
We also try to strike a good balance between staying within our
signature original TFK sound and trying new things and new
untried (for us) territory. This means we sometimes venture into
both pop and sometimes into more experimental or even ambient land.
And for those who wonder, there is no priority tag on songs written by
Stolt - all member have and have had the chance to
contribute equally every time, since the last 15 years at least.
What you see on TFK albums is the result of free will and
personal considerations regarding members individual careers.
That's about it - Now if we're lucky the songs transpire well into
the live setting - and we have 3 DVD's that show that this is the case
now and again.
So does this mean I love and justify every single TFK song or
album ? - no I don't, but as said it is the result of band politics
and
to be honest even I happen to be the one making the wrong decision
now and then or I just fall prey to the democratic process,
that do exist regardless of what others may say, and we end up with
an album that we all are about 75% happy with.
Still there seems to be a couple of tunes that live on and finds it's
way into our live sets.
The important thing for me is that TFK as a band has produced a huge
catalogue over the last 15 years and there is material of
very high order - plus the odd "miss" tune or album - well I don't
dwell on those, since the good stuff prevail and that's what I'm looking
forward to play live in the coming year(s).
Hail to the new album and a few more - of 50/50 % greatness/
filler ( as usual.)
Roine
btw Happy Easter one and all!