The Official Flying Colors Thread

[Stadler]

"The Storm" has one of my two favorite Mike Portnoy moments ever (I love how he shadows the lyric, playing fast while Casey sings about the "storm", then slows it to half time as the "storm" washes everything away (lyrically).  I don't know if he intended that or not, but it's beautiful).   

"BTWA" makes me cry every time I hear it, to this day, since it resonates very strongly with my personal life (I played it once for my ex-wife and... let's just say it was an emotional moment.  The first verse hit wayyyyyyy too close to home for her.)

[MinistroRaven]

It seems there are 2 versions of the album (regular, and special ed.) the latter with a bonus track. More info coming soon

[KevShmev]

Better Than Walking Away is definitely one of my favorites as well. And as much as I like the shorter songs the band has done, Infinite Fire is pretty sweet.  I like how that one is proggy, but never feels overcooked or like the band felt the need to show off.  Even though Open Up Your Eyes is a good tune, the part before the first verse were the drums take the lead with the synths feels totally shoe-horned in, and that ending feels way too much like "Hey, look at how great we can play!"

[RoeDent]

Even though Open Up Your Eyes is a good tune, the part before the first verse were the drums take the lead with the synths feels totally shoe-horned in,

The slap bass bit? Oh I love that part! LaRue's slap bass parts are one of the main things I associate with Flying Colors, and makes it stand out from other NM/MP projects. I know it's not used enormously often (Forever in a Daze, Open Up Your Eyes and Bombs Away), but it stands out to me.

[axeman90210]

Love the bass playing in Forever in a Daze

[ytserush]

Already have my Flying Colors tickets, and unlike Dream Theater, they are one of the few acts Jennie goes with me to see, so the choice is easy. Had I not already seen SFaM earlier in the year it would be much tougher though.

Guess I'll see you guys there. (Got tickets the day they went on sale.) At least I know I'll see Dream Theater again down the road.  Can't say with much certainty if I'll ever have the opportunity for another (fourth) Flying Colors gig. Just not used to having to make these decisions.

[siebzehnx]

I can confirm there will be two CD editions. I was lucky to work on the design of the extended version. It will include a bonus track indeed and several other additional stuff. I can't disclose anything else at the moment, but it'll be an excellent and lavish package

[JayOctavarium]

Anyone have any idea on how the tickets are selling?

I won't be able to buy my tickets for Ventura until the 23rd at the earliest. I will hate myself if they sell out before then...

[The Letter M]

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=3226763594007927&id=116713035013014

New cover art revealed! Love that the figure from the debut album is there!

-Marc.

[MinistroRaven]

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=3226763594007927&id=116713035013014

New cover art revealed! Love that the figure from the debut album is there!

-Marc.

Awesome!

[Stadler]

I know it's early to start planning, but anyone going to the NY show, I'm going to likely head down early that day, and would enjoy pre-game company....

[MinistroRaven]

I prefer the cover of the deluxe edition

[Adami]

I know it's early to start planning, but anyone going to the NY show, I'm going to likely head down early that day, and would enjoy pre-game company....

I'm going but it's a work day, not sure how early I can get down there. What time is the show?


Oh wait, it's you. Nevermind. 

[axeman90210]

I know it's early to start planning, but anyone going to the NY show, I'm going to likely head down early that day, and would enjoy pre-game company....

I'll be heading into the city after work, Monday is usually my day to leave early so should be able to be in the area for 6pm or so.

[RoeDent]

"More coming Wedneday", MP says on the FB post showing the album cover.

[mikewillettmusic]

Oh, "More" coming Wednesday. I get it now! So this showed up in my Spotify New For You list but I couldn't play it.

[RoeDent]

Really? Really?!! In that case I hope we get "More" info tomorrow, like an actual release date or something.

[The Letter M]

Oh, "More" coming Wednesday. I get it now! So this showed up in my Spotify New For You list but I couldn't play it.

 

The single is titled "More". Hilarious. I'm sure they'll drop the release date, pre-orders, and track listing all tomorrow. Neal said the release date would be in October, so we're, at most, 10 weeks away from the last Friday of October (the 25th), which seems like the right amount of time before the album promotional cycle begins. I'm excited to hear the single! Hard to believe it's been 5 years since Second Nature. I hope we get an album that is all the best parts of the first two, along with some new, fresh and exciting things!

-Marc.

[thunderdog10]

   Amazon Shows

  Third Degree (Limited Deluxe CD Box Set)

 

Third Degree Limited Deluxe
Box Set
Flying Colors (Artist) Format: Audio CD
See all formats and editions



Editorial Reviews

In chemistry, when certain galvanizing elements come together, they become quite explosive. In music, when certain galvanizing artists come together, they become Flying Colors. In fact, whenever the five gentlemen who encompass Flying Colors - guitarist Steve Morse, drummer Mike Portnoy, keyboardist/vocalist Neal Morse, bassist Dave LaRue, and powerhouse vocalist and songwriter Casey McPherson are able to conjoin their collective talents, the result is a sweet sonic bouillabaisse that reflects where their inherent mastery of melody intersects with top-shelf progressive musicianship. Flying Colors soar to even loftier heights with Third Degree, their third studio album in a decade that's set for release on October 4, 2019 via Music Theories Recordings. Produced by longtime band associate Rich Mouser, Third Degree builds upon the genre-bending momentum of 2012's self-titled Flying Colors and the aural template ascension of 2014's Second Nature. "There's a lot of ear candy sprinkled throughout every song," observes Mike Portnoy, "and each one takes you on a little journey. As albums go, Third Degree is a complete piece that I don't think ever overstays its welcome. I think it's an enjoyable ride from start to finish." Third Degree continues to build upon the deep-rooted musical connection the members of Flying Colors established on their first two boundary-stretching albums. "There's a real special chemistry between the five of us," Portnoy confirms. "We keep getting better and better as we get more comfortable and more familiar with each other, and the music itself keeps getting more and more mature." Adds Steve Morse, "This one, dare I say it, explores new ground for the band. We just do what makes us smile and sounds good, instead of wondering how critics or program directors will like it. It makes for the best music!" "Our mission statement when we came together is still the same now," Portnoy affirms. "It's the same five guys with extremely different musical personalities and backgrounds coming together into a giant melting pot where it all comes out on the other end with music that's accessible, melodic, deep, and colorful. That's always been the goal of this band, and so far, I think we're three for three."

The Deluxe CD box set contains a 40 page photobook, 2 coasters and an extra CD with 6 bonus tracks.
Track Listings
Disc: 1
  1. The Loss Inside
  2. More
  3. Cadence
  4. Guardian
  5. Last Train Home
  6. Geronimo
  7. You Are Not Alone
  8. Love Letter
  9. Crawl

Disc: 2
  1. Waiting For The Sun (Bonus Track)
  2. Geronimo (Alternate Version)
  3. Crawl (Alternate Version)
  4. Love Letter (Alternate Version)
  5. You Are Not Alone (Alternate Version)
  6. Last Train Home (Alternate Version)

[MinistroRaven]

Pre order:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07WLBQWQB/ref=sr_1_1?crid=26I9NO7HKMMAM&keywords=flying+colors+third+degree&qid=1565745780&s=gateway&sprefix=flying+colors+third+deegr%2Caps%2C229&sr=8-1

[Cool Chris]

Those are such non-MP quotes. He didn't deal in absolutes, hyperbole, or excessive praise.

Also...

....powerhouse vocalist... Casey McPherson...

[FlyingBIZKIT]

 

[The Letter M]

Pre order:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07WLBQWQB/ref=sr_1_1?crid=26I9NO7HKMMAM&keywords=flying+colors+third+degree&qid=1565745780&s=gateway&sprefix=flying+colors+third+deegr%2Caps%2C229&sr=8-1

Thanks for the link! Just pre-ordered, since the price seems fairly low considering what you get in the package, so I was worried the final price might go up. Either way, since it's Amazon, I won't get charged til it ships, so if I see a better deal (or a bundle from Music Theories Recordings with a t-shirt or a poster), I may order that instead.

-Marc.

[The Letter M]

Thanks to the track list being posted, I found this on Google:
https://www.wizard.bg/main.php?page=shop&section=article&mid=23636

Looks like we'll be getting a sweet-looking blue vinyl set, and on that same page, we get vinyl track listing, which gives us a better idea of how long the songs might be:

A1    The Loss Inside
A2    More
A3    Cadence
B1    Guardian
B2    Last Train Home
C1    Geronimo
C2    You Are Not Alone
C3    Love Letter
D1    Crawl

(Note - the linked page above erroneously lists a Beth Hart album track listing as well. Might be due to that album also being from Mascot)

Looks like "Crawl" is long enough to warrant it's own side of vinyl, so I suspect another closer like "Infinite Fire" and "Cosmic Symphony". If the album is about as long as Second Nature, and being only nine songs, I think we can expect songs in the average range of 5-7 minutes, since each of the first three sides only have two or three songs each. My excitement for this album grows more and more!

EDIT - Link to Amazon's page for the Blue Vinyl pre-order:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07W6C9R4M/ref=sr_1_3?qid=1565755558&refinements=p_32%3AFlying+Colors&s=music&sr=1-3

-Marc.

[RoeDent]

That Amazon pages gives a release date of October 4th.

[RoeDent]

Music video for More: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gNEW042p0CM

Release date for Third Degree is confirmed as October 4th.

Also, Google has lengths:

1. The Loss Inside - 5:50
2. More - 7:10
3. Cadence - 7:40
4. Guardian - 7:10
5. Last Train Home - 10:31
6. Geronimo - 5:19
7. You Are Not Alone - 6:21
8. Love Letter - 5:09
9. Crawl - 11:14

TOTAL: 66:24

[Nekov]

Just listened to the new single. While I love the rocking vibe of the song, I think this guys lost the essence of what made the first album so good. This song suffers of trying to be more than it really needs to be and stretches for too long. Given that all the songs are in a similar time range I don't have much hope for the rest of the album.

[FlyingBIZKIT]

First thought was Muse...surely I’m not the only one

[MinistroRaven]

The new Flying Colors album "Third Degree" has been announced, along with the video for the single "More". All the details below #flyingcolors #thirddegree

https://www.sonicperspectives.com/news/progressive-rock-supergroup-flying-colors-reveal-details-of-new-album-third-degree/

[gzarruk]

Guys, I don’t get it, the video says Flying Colors, but YouTube keeps playing a Muse song

[RoeDent]

First thought was Muse...surely I’m not the only one

The same was absolutely said about Mask Machine from the second album and Shoulda Woulda Coulda from the first. It's just the vocoder. Any time someone adds distortion to their voice it's automatically compared to Muse. Why? Why not just enjoy this song on its own merit? Why does it always have to be pointed out?

[MinistroRaven]

Pre order:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07WLBQWQB/ref=sr_1_1?crid=26I9NO7HKMMAM&keywords=flying+colors+third+degree&qid=1565745780&s=gateway&sprefix=flying+colors+third+deegr%2Caps%2C229&sr=8-1

Thanks for the link! Just pre-ordered, since the price seems fairly low considering what you get in the package, so I was worried the final price might go up. Either way, since it's Amazon, I won't get charged til it ships, so if I see a better deal (or a bundle from Music Theories Recordings with a t-shirt or a poster), I may order that instead.

-Marc.

Pre order with shirts and other things

https://usa.mascotlabelgroup.com/flying-colors

[FlyingBIZKIT]

First thought was Muse...surely I’m not the only one

The same was absolutely said about Mask Machine from the second album and Shoulda Woulda Coulda from the first. It's just the vocoder. Any time someone adds distortion to their voice it's automatically compared to Muse. Why? Why not just enjoy this song on its own merit? Why does it always have to be pointed out?

Because it’s an observation I made. That’s all. I never said I couldn’t enjoy it.

I didn’t know about the vocoder though, I’m not familiar with it. Thanks for educating me.

[Mladen]

Except that it's not only about the vocoder. The vocal melodies sound like they are very much inspired by Matt, and I am convinced Casey would be the first to admit it.

The song kind of turned out to be a snoozer for me. I like my Flying Colors a bit more concise and to the point. But I guess people like me who are expecting to hear another debut will get tedious over time. We need to get over it.

[devieira73]

I liked this song a lot! I guess the Muse’s influence is there (also in the bass lines), but it’s really far from any plagiarism.
Nekov said something interesting about their change of style. I also think that something (really unique) in their original sound was lost when they found their own sound in the second album.
What is that? Neal using a different keyboard sound?!?!