The Official Flying Colors Thread

[glaurung]

Ghost is boner worthy.

[Dark Castle]

Ghost is boner worthy.

I mistakenly thought you were talking about the band 
But Ghost is also a great album!

[glaurung]

The band is pretty cool too.

[rumborak]

WTF, Flying Colors released albums beforehand?!!

https://www.amazon.com/s?_encoding=UTF8&search-alias=music&field-artist=Flying%20Colors

"Light of the world is Jesus" seems a bit too Morse-y, but I might be interested in "O how wonderful".

rumborak

[Nekov]

 

[faemir]

The lyrics are great on this album, something that is pretty rare on Prog nowadays.

And in regards to DT needing a producer, I agree, I fail to see why not other than having some bad experience with a couple of producers previously... the vast majority of other bands cope just fine and probably put out better albums because of it.

[The Letter M]

The lyrics are great on this album, something that is pretty rare on Prog nowadays.

And in regards to DT needing a producer, I agree, I fail to see why not other than having some bad experience with a couple of producers previously... the vast majority of other bands cope just fine and probably put out better albums because of it.

It could be stubbornness, or perhaps pride, but I can understand their mentality. It might not have been the bad blood they had back during the FII sessions that has turned them off to outside producing. Perhaps it was the huge success that the following two albums had that showed them that if they do their own work, their own way, they can get the results they want, at least enough to please their fans. In some ways, they were right - Train Of Thought and Octavarium both turned out great, but the next two could have used some producing from an outside source.

On one hand, we really get their vision, we listen to what THEY truly wanted US to hear, so we get a closer look into their own minds. On the other hand, they don't get the added benefit of a more objective listener in the writing/recording stage, which many fans might have wished for, especially where parts had been too long, too weird, or in some cases, too short!

-Marc.

[faemir]

It's a little bit like a writer refusing to have an editor...

[Nick]

I'd say it's actually more like a husband refusing to have sex with his wife, or something.

[reneranucci]

The lyrics are great on this album, something that is pretty rare on Prog nowadays.

And in regards to DT needing a producer, I agree, I fail to see why not other than having some bad experience with a couple of producers previously... the vast majority of other bands cope just fine and probably put out better albums because of it.

It could be stubbornness, or perhaps pride, but I can understand their mentality. It might not have been the bad blood they had back during the FII sessions that has turned them off to outside producing. Perhaps it was the huge success that the following two albums had that showed them that if they do their own work, their own way, they can get the results they want, at least enough to please their fans. In some ways, they were right - Train Of Thought and Octavarium both turned out great, but the next two could have used some producing from an outside source.

On one hand, we really get their vision, we listen to what THEY truly wanted US to hear, so we get a closer look into their own minds. On the other hand, they don't get the added benefit of a more objective listener in the writing/recording stage, which many fans might have wished for, especially where parts had been too long, too weird, or in some cases, too short!

-Marc.

Excellent post Marc.

This is my very personal opinion: especially at this point of their career, they don't have to please anybody, they don't need to win new fans, or to show that they can write excellent songs. They have already shown what they are capable of. I am more interested in them doing whatever they want and to record what sounds great to them, and in getting a 100% DT album, than in having some outside assistance than in some people's opinion can improve their music. I don't even need them to make music that is pleasant to me, they have already done that a million times, I want them to be themselves and to enjoy their artistic freedom. Whether I like it or not is secondary. I say this seriously: I'd prefer them to release an album that I considered weak but that they can call their own work, than to have an album that I liked but that didn't make the band feel completely free. Trying to intervene or influence on any band's musical decisions feels very disrespectful to me, and more so if it's a band as talented as DT.

[KevShmev]

I don't think it's that simple.  Even the best actors, for example, need good direction and help from a good director, and the same can be said for those in the music industry as well, even the really talented ones.  Talent is one thing; harnessing that talent in the proper way is another (which I mean in a general way, so no one thinks I am saying that DT has not harnessed their talent well).

[reneranucci]

I don't think it's that simple.  Even the best actors, for example, need good direction and help from a good director, and the same can be said for those in the music industry as well, even the really talented ones.  Talent is one thing; harnessing that talent in the proper way is another (which I mean in a general way, so no one thinks I am saying that DT has not harnessed their talent well).

That phrase really irritates me. Is there a "proper way" to make music? Who decides what that is?

But this is not the thread for this discussion, I'm sorry for derailing the conversation.

[theseoafs]

A preview of a few of the song is streaming on the band's Facebook page, though I suppose this doesn't matter for many of  you.

[Ben_Jamin]

A preview of a few of the song is streaming on the band's Facebook page, though I suppose this doesn't matter for many of  you.

I don'ts gots Facebook no mo. 

[Dark Castle]

Does anyone hear Muse at all when they listen to these guys?  The music seems Muse-y as fuck often.

[skydivingninja]

No it doesn't.   

[ReaperKK]

Does anyone hear Muse at all when they listen to these guys?  The music seems Muse-y as fuck often.

No

[Cruithne]

A preview of a few of the song is streaming on the band's Facebook page, though I suppose this doesn't matter for many of  you.

"Like" the Page to stream this track for free.

I decide whether or not I "Like" Flying Colors after I've tried out the music, not before. I'll wait.

[axeman90210]

So far, everything from the first track through Forever in a Daze is just absolute gold for me (OK, maybe Shoulda Woulda Coulda is more like silver). I'm also coming around on All Falls Down and Fool in my Heart.

[King Postwhore]

I've heard the FB previews and I am stocked.  Can't wait.

[rumborak]

This is a remarkably good album. Good for MP to have struck gold on that combination of musicians. Even though he easily is the most replaceable in the group.

rumborak

[lordxizor]

Can't wait to hear this. I'm holding out for the official release.

Even though he easily is the most replaceable in the group.

In all fairness to MP, the drummer is almost always the most replaceable person in any band.

[rumborak]

I get that. It just struck me that for somebody who suddenly had a lot of free time, his drumming was just the usual fare.

rumborak

[Ben_Jamin]

I get that. It just struck me that for somebody who suddenly had a lot of free time, his drumming was just the usual fare.

rumborak

I like how he isn't flamboyant. Shows he can restrain.

[The Letter M]

I get that. It just struck me that for somebody who suddenly had a lot of free time, his drumming was just the usual fare.

rumborak

Considering the time-frame (this album was recorded less than 4 months after he left DT), and the nature of the project, I think he was okay with "taking a back seat" on this one and not do his usual watch-me-play-the-drums-all-flashy-and-loud bit. I like his restraint on this album, and it's a good change, especially after an album like TA's The Whirlwind, which did have some of his best drumming to date.

I really like that he BLENDS well in this group, it's not a lot of over-bearing fills and loud metal grooves (unless it's a metal song of course). He pulls back and isn't afraid to do so on this album. He has his loud-metal project (Adrenaline Mob), so this is his softer, less complex outlet.

-Marc.

[unklejman]

Yeah, but restraint is not antithetical to something new and original.  His drumming is appropriate to the music, but it's pretty much standard fare MP. Same fills, same patterns.

[darkshade]

I get that. It just struck me that for somebody who suddenly had a lot of free time, his drumming was just the usual fare.

rumborak

Considering the time-frame (this album was recorded less than 4 months after he left DT), and the nature of the project, I think he was okay with "taking a back seat" on this one and not do his usual watch-me-play-the-drums-all-flashy-and-loud bit. I like his restraint on this album, and it's a good change, especially after an album like TA's The Whirlwind, which did have some of his best drumming to date.

-Marc.

A couple weeks prior to recording Flying Colors, MP did Neal's Testimony 2, which is a similar type of music, so the contrast is even greater in that respect.

[Nekov]

Does anyone hear Muse at all when they listen to these guys?  The music seems Muse-y as fuck often.

No, but Infinite Fire reminds me a lot of Set Us Free by Transatlantic

[The Letter M]

I get that. It just struck me that for somebody who suddenly had a lot of free time, his drumming was just the usual fare.

rumborak

Considering the time-frame (this album was recorded less than 4 months after he left DT), and the nature of the project, I think he was okay with "taking a back seat" on this one and not do his usual watch-me-play-the-drums-all-flashy-and-loud bit. I like his restraint on this album, and it's a good change, especially after an album like TA's The Whirlwind, which did have some of his best drumming to date.

-Marc.

A couple weeks prior to recording Flying Colors, MP did Neal's Testimony 2, which is a similar type of music, so the contrast is even greater in that respect.

Ahh yes, I nearly forgot about that. Indeed that is a stark contrast, especially considering that the two albums were recorded within a month of each other. Also, Neal even seems to be less in the spotlight on FC - perhaps this was to allow Steve and Dave to shine more, especially to fans of Neal/Mike who aren't (very) familiar with them. The bass on this album is CRANKED up and every song has amazing bass sound and, in most instances, parts! And Steve just shines throughout the album.

I'm not saying all of Neal's and Mike's parts are very pedestrian or tame, but they did take a back seat while both Steve and Dave took a front seat on this album. I wouldn't mind that formula again, but it would be interesting to hear them ALL really shred on their next album.

-Marc.

[Orbert]

Neal even seems to be less in the spotlight on FC - perhaps this was to allow Steve and Dave to shine more, especially to fans of Neal/Mike who aren't (very) familiar with them. The bass on this album is CRANKED up and every song has amazing bass sound and, in most instances, parts! And Steve just shines throughout the album.

I've listened to it three times now, and every time, I find myself "forgetting" that I'm listening to Neal Morse, Steve Morse, and Mike Portnoy, three guys whose work I'm very familiar with.  I just think of them as Flying Colors, the band.

It probably helps that I'm not familiar with the lead vocalist, so the voice doesn't constantly remind of someone else.  With Transatlantic and early Spock's Beard, Neal's voice is so distinctive that, right or wrong, I tend to think of them as "Neal's band".  Flying Colors has its own identity, its own sound.

[The Letter M]

Neal even seems to be less in the spotlight on FC - perhaps this was to allow Steve and Dave to shine more, especially to fans of Neal/Mike who aren't (very) familiar with them. The bass on this album is CRANKED up and every song has amazing bass sound and, in most instances, parts! And Steve just shines throughout the album.

I've listened to it three times now, and every time, I find myself "forgetting" that I'm listening to Neal Morse, Steve Morse, and Mike Portnoy, three guys whose work I'm very familiar with.  I just think of them as Flying Colors, the band.

It probably helps that I'm not familiar with the lead vocalist, so the voice doesn't constantly remind of someone else.  With Transatlantic and early Spock's Beard, Neal's voice is so distinctive that, right or wrong, I tend to think of them as "Neal's band".  Flying Colors has its own identity, its own sound.

Interesting point, about how a different main vocalist (because both Mike and Neal do sing some lead parts) can alter perception of the band, despite having familiar instrumentalists.

I wonder what fans of Alpha Rev/Casey (will) think about Flying Colors? I've never heard any of his stuff before now, but I'm intrigued. Suffice to say, I think fans of anyone BUT Casey might be tempted to check him out, more so than fans of Casey would to check out the other member's output, but who knows, perhaps Neal may gain some new fans from Casey's audience? I guess time will tell how this cross-pollination of audiences will play out.

-Marc.

[bosk1]

From their FB

It looks like people are really enjoying the music they've heard, and that's great! Some journalists have heard the album…if you're sharing about it, it probably makes sense to identify yourself as one.

If you're someone who managed to get the album…some other way…maybe don't share about it? It's not really fair to everyone else. We won't censor anything—just asking.

[glaurung]

"Like" the Page to stream this track for free.

I decide whether or not I "Like" Flying Colors after I've tried out the music, not before. I'll wait.

Because it's so hard to unlike them if you don't like it.

[antigoon]

HE'S TAKING A STAND!

So anyway, are we not allowed to talk about the record, bosk?

[Dark Castle]

HE'S TAKING A STAND!

So anyway, are we not allowed to talk about the record, bosk?

Yeah I assumed that Facebook post was meant for Facebook, due to people talking about the album on their wall..