The Official Flying Colors Thread

[FlyingBIZKIT]

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.

I’m right there with you. Adored the debut. Second Nature didn’t grab me.

[Stadler]

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 sucks.      

I love the first record, it's one of my favorites of the MP (post-DT) catalogue, but the closer it gets to Muse territory, the less I like it.  If this is a "Muse-inspired record", my excitement is tamed significantly. 

EDIT:  Listened to the single.  Not jazzed.  It's not the vocoder; it's the legato vocal lines (those verses might as well BE off a Muse record).  That's kind of my least favorite side of Flying Colors.   I'll give it a shot - I want to hear the "Beach Boys meets Asia" song - but I prefer the more poppy, song-oriented material.  Ah well, it's not about me.   

[FlyingBIZKIT]

No idea on the other members but I know Portnoy loves Muse, so I’m not surprised if it is.

[gzarruk]

Yes, as others have mentioned, the vocal lines and delivery are VERY Muse-inspired, and this is the same case as with Shoulda Coulda Woulda and Mask Machine (some of the instrumentation on More also reminded me of Mask Machine a lot). However, I wouldn't lose my hope for the album after this song, as the previous 2 albums have only had 1 Muse sounding song, don't worry just yet.

Btw, I'm not one of the "I want another album like the debut" fans, and actually enjoyed Second Nature quite a bit, but I'd LOVE to have more songs in the vein of Kayla or The Storm. Just leave all super proggy stuff for NMB and TA and write great catchy songs.

...also no more Muse influences, please

[MinistroRaven]

Lyrics

[Stadler]

Yes, as others have mentioned, the vocal lines and delivery are VERY Muse-inspired, and this is the same case as with Shoulda Coulda Woulda and Mask Machine (some of the instrumentation on More also reminded me of Mask Machine a lot). However, I wouldn't lose my hope for the album after this song, as the previous 2 albums have only had 1 Muse sounding song, don't worry just yet.

Btw, I'm not one of the "I want another album like the debut" fans, and actually enjoyed Second Nature quite a bit, but I'd LOVE to have more songs in the vein of Kayla or The Storm. Just leave all super proggy stuff for NMB and TA and write great catchy songs.

...also no more Muse influences, please

I couldn't have said it better (I liked Second Nature too, after the first song).   

[Adami]

Not a bad song. Don't mind the Muse influence. It wasn't as catchy as I'd like, but it wasn't bad.

Could have been edited down a minute or two though for sure.


Also that video is horrible. Just horrible. With that make up, the guys all look like 60-70 years old. At least.

[KevShmev]

I don't mind the Muse influence, but that song was pretty bland. My older brother, who loves the band and is a huge Casey fan, thought the same thing.  Hopefully, the rest of the album is a lot better...

[The Walrus]

Not a bad song. Don't mind the Muse influence. It wasn't as catchy as I'd like, but it wasn't bad.

Could have been edited down a minute or two though for sure.


Also that video is horrible. Just horrible. With that make up, the guys all look like 60-70 years old. At least.

I agree with the first two parts, but not the third - I thought the video was cool, not amazing, but I don't think they look THAT old. Neal is 59, Steve is 65, but everyone looks normal imo. Song could definitely use some trimming, I just thought it was 'meh.' I don't mind the Muse influence - that said, I thought Shoulda Coulda Woulda was way better than this.

[FlyingBIZKIT]

They should do a cover of Never Enough by Dream Theater.. it’d be like Muse-inspired cover of a song inspired by Muse.

[RoeDent]

I think I just need to stay away from this thread. I really really want to like this song and this band, and everyone's opinions are telling me that that is wrong.

[FlyingBIZKIT]

I mean, it’s just discussion, right?

If you enjoy it, you enjoy it!

[Adami]

I think I just need to stay away from this thread. I really really want to like this song and this band, and everyone's opinions are telling me that that is wrong.

Do you like the song?

Awesome! Like it god dammit!

I enjoyed it for the most part, but I just didn't love it. I'll likely enjoy more with more listens and not watching the video. The video I did dislike, however.

[The Walrus]

I think I just need to stay away from this thread. I really really want to like this song and this band, and everyone's opinions are telling me that that is wrong.

I don't see anyone telling people not to like it. Why are you letting others' opinions dictate how you feel? If you like it that's great. Share your opinions. Besides, people here love Flying Colors. Not being blown away by one song isn't the end of the earth. No need to make a mountain out of a molehill.

[Ben_Jamin]

Holy crap. That muse influence is strong. I didn't enjoy the song at all.

[Mladen]

I actually don't mind the Muse influence, since I love Muse. It's not about that. I just didn't find the melodies all that convincing, so much so that I lost the attention halfway through. And that instrumental prog section kind of kicked in at the most predictable moment. Maybe the song will grow on me, but we'll see.

[The Letter M]

I didn't hate it, but I didn't immediately love it. It's a grower, but it doesn't now surprise me that their lead single, the Muse-inspired song, is once again Track 2 on the album. Guess that's the spot for such a track! At least they didn't open the album with a long song again. Regarding song lengths, though, I am more interested in the back half (6-9) than the front, given there are three 7-minute songs in a row at the front, but I'm sure they all sound varied and different enough from each other to warrant such placement. The second half, with its shorter songs, intrigues me more.

At any rate, I might keep my Amazon order for the 2cd set and order the marble vinyl with shirt from Mascot. That vinyl looks gorgeous, and I don't even OWN a record player - I just want it cuz it's pretty.

-Marc.

[JayOctavarium]

Meh.

It's a single.

Gimmie the whole album before I judge

[King Postwhore]

Meh.

It's a single.

Gimmie the whole album before I judge

Exactly.  I liked the video a lot.  The song while ok doesn't have the hooks that I like from them.

[MinistroRaven]

I still think that what lacks on Second Nature (and probably on Third Degree) is PETER COLLINS (the producer, and fresh ears) from the first album. I know NM, MP and company can be producers of their own music as they have done in the past, but with that formula it all starts sounding samey. But IMO the reason the self title sounded so fresh and it's among my favorite records of all time seems to be Peter. I will have to check Third Degree to be completely sure.

[MinistroRaven]

All vinyls come with a code to download the album on mp3 format
Source: https://usa.mascotlabelgroup.com/flying-colors

[emtee]

Nope. WAY too close to Muse for me. I just can't connect
with the music this band creates. Glad others do though.
Sadly, try as I might, MP related projects are harder and
harder for me to connect with and purchase. Hoping
The new SOA album changes that.

[gzarruk]

I still think that what lacks on Second Nature (and probably on Third Degree) is PETER COLLINS (the producer, and fresh ears) from the first album. I know NM, MP and company can be producers of their own music as they have done in the past, but with that formula it all starts sounding samey. But IMO the reason the self title sounded so fresh and it's among my favorite records of all time seems to be Peter. I will have to check Third Degree to be completely sure.

I think the press release said Rich Mouser produced this one? His influence might have changed the music direction a bit, but this first track just isn't a good starting point. Guess we'll have to wait to find out.
Completely agree with the bolded part, though. NM, NMB and TA music all sound too samey nowadays, and if you add FC using the same approach, it just makes having all these bands pointless.

[Ben_Jamin]

I still think that what lacks on Second Nature (and probably on Third Degree) is PETER COLLINS (the producer, and fresh ears) from the first album. I know NM, MP and company can be producers of their own music as they have done in the past, but with that formula it all starts sounding samey. But IMO the reason the self title sounded so fresh and it's among my favorite records of all time seems to be Peter. I will have to check Third Degree to be completely sure.

I think the press release said Rich Mouser produced this one? His influence might have changed the music direction a bit, but this first track just isn't a good starting point. Guess we'll have to wait to find out.
Completely agree with the bolded part, though. NM, NMB and TA music all sound too samey nowadays, and if you add FC using the same approach, it just makes having all these bands pointless.

That's what's turning me off of them now. Their first album was amazing and different for each member. Now, it's just another Portnoy Morse fest.

[DoctorAction]

I liked it! Wasn't very keen on Second Nature, like others, and didn't know what to expect from this but really enjoyed it. The voc was Musey but nothing else about it sounded like it to me.

Looking forward to the rest.

[MinistroRaven]

I still think that what lacks on Second Nature (and probably on Third Degree) is PETER COLLINS (the producer, and fresh ears) from the first album. I know NM, MP and company can be producers of their own music as they have done in the past, but with that formula it all starts sounding samey. But IMO the reason the self title sounded so fresh and it's among my favorite records of all time seems to be Peter. I will have to check Third Degree to be completely sure.

I think the press release said Rich Mouser produced this one? His influence might have changed the music direction a bit, but this first track just isn't a good starting point. Guess we'll have to wait to find out.
Completely agree with the bolded part, though. NM, NMB and TA music all sound too samey nowadays, and if you add FC using the same approach, it just makes having all these bands pointless.

I just read the full press and seems he did (Rich Mouser) produce this one. But, he has always being part of the equation too, on TA, NMB, NM solo, etc, so he is not at all fresh ears here either.

I am still anxious to hear the whole thing.

[axeman90210]

First thought is that this is my least favorite of the Muse-inspired tracks they've put out, though I could see it growing on me. I also personally would have liked to have seen a few more shorter runtimes in the track listing, but I'm still very much looking forward to the new album.

[SoundscapeMN]

still hoping for some Kevin Gilbert/Toy Matinee/Jellyfish -like tunes.

[Stadler]

still hoping for some Kevin Gilbert/Toy Matinee/Jellyfish -like tunes.

I'd certainly go in for that, but I'm not optimistic.

[ProfessorPeart]

I know absolutely zilch about Muse so I guess I am glad I don't get all of the Muse references. Pretty sure I have never heard a single song from them. Maybe snippets if they were in a commercial or TV show or something.

Thankfully, I guess, 'it sounds like Muse' isn't in my vocabulary.

Oh, pre-ordered the deluxe from Amazon last night after MP shared that it was popping up. I'll be all ready for the show at the Arcada.

[JLa]

I didn't really think "Muse" when I heard this, but then again I'm not the biggest Muse fan out there. I know a few of their songs and that's it.

Listened to "More" twice and, what to say? Nothing really stood out. I don't remember anything of the song now. Still excited about the new album though!

[Stadler]

I know absolutely zilch about Muse so I guess I am glad I don't get all of the Muse references. Pretty sure I have never heard a single song from them. Maybe snippets if they were in a commercial or TV show or something.

Thankfully, I guess, 'it sounds like Muse' isn't in my vocabulary.

If you want to hear some Muse to compare, try this:

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

 

[gzarruk]

I know absolutely zilch about Muse so I guess I am glad I don't get all of the Muse references. Pretty sure I have never heard a single song from them.

Have you heard Never Enough?

[MinistroRaven]

I know absolutely zilch about Muse so I guess I am glad I don't get all of the Muse references. Pretty sure I have never heard a single song from them.

Have you heard Never Enough?

Or this one? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XeRg33VDFZE

[gzarruk]

Real question: Is it bad that, after listening to the new song a couple times, I now have Mask Machine stuck in my head?