I have just finished listening to
Paradox Hotel. Let me just put it like this... Those who have read my first impressions of Flower Power might remember what I said at the end of my impressions on that album:
Amazing album. I don't know if I'll hear another album by The Flower Kings that I'll enjoy more than this one, that's how much I like this after just one listen. But if it turns out that this band managed to make a better album after this one (and I would not doubt their ability to do so), I'm highly intrigued to hear how they outdid this one.
It turns out all they had to do to make a better album than Flower Power was to make Paradox Hotel. Honestly, I could probably say something about every single track on this album... And, well, I've got a lot of free time, so actually, I'll do just that. I might be vague and not give many details, but it is a long album and a lot to absorb, and I don't want this post to be
too long.
"Check In" is a pretty neat intro, and I like the callback to Rhythm of Life from
Retropolis. "Monsters & Men" is pretty good, though the last four minutes or so are amazing and definitely the highlight of the song. "Jealousy" is good, though it's a bit weird and almost amusing how Roine sings so pleasantly yet the song has kind of dark lyrics. "Hit Me with a Hit" is very good, and true to its name, it hit me with a hit. "Pioneers of Aviation" is a really cool instrumental track, and I think this is where the album started to go from "good" to "great" for me. "Lucy Had A Dream" is more atmospheric than the other tracks thus far, and it has one of the best vocal performances on the album. The ending with the vulgar advertisement is kind of dumb, but it doesn't bother me much. "Bavarian Skies" isn't a song I enjoyed that much, but it was still pretty unique and interesting, at the very least. I honestly don't remember much about "Self-consuming Fire", but I have to imagine I enjoyed it to some extent. And then there's the final two songs on Disc 1...
"Mommy Leave the Light On" is a really great ballad. The lyrics are sad and simple yet very beautiful at the same time, and everything fits together musically so well. And then there's the big one, "End On a High Note". I don't even know what to say about this one, other than the last few minutes are truly amazing, and I predict that this will go on to be one of my favorite songs of all time. With a name like "End On a High Note", it did not disappoint!
And then there's Disc 2, which is pretty much just as good as Disc 1. "Minor Giant Steps" is a nice way to start off the second disc while still continuing the overall quality of the album. "Touch My Heaven" has some incredible moments; the rest of the song is good, too, but if the song as a whole grows on me, it'll be one that I consider a masterpiece. "The Unorthodox Dancinglesson" is a very cool and energetic instrumental piece; I really like this one. "Man of the World" is another song that I'd call good now, but could easily become a song I really love with time. "Life Will Kill You" is pretty good musically but has some of the best lyrics on the album. Speaking of great lyrics, I'd say the same about "The Way the Waters Are Moving"; It's a bit simplistic musically, but it's pretty nice all the same. "What If God Is Alone" is just wonderful to listen to, I don't think there's any more I can say. The title track, "Paradox Hotel", has a lot of great moments, and I like the heavier rock approach they take on this one. "Blue Planet" is one of my favorites on the album solely for that one guitar solo towards the end, and the intercom/announcer speaking at the end was really cool, just imagining floating through space and visualizing what Earth looks like from far away.
Honestly, I would be surprised if The Flower Kings manage to have another album that I consider better than this one, or at least leaves a stronger first impression for me. I've enjoyed listening to this band since starting this marathon, but I think this is the point where I'm beginning to consider this band one of my favorites just based off what I've heard from them thus far (taking into account that I've only listened to most of their albums once so far, meaning many of their songs and albums have a chance to really grow on me). Needless to say at this point, I think Paradox Hotel is a great album.
Topic: Flower Kings Official Thread (Read 235235 times)
