The Official Flying Colors Thread

[Nick]

$30 for NYC I think, but probably will be closer to $50 for a single ticket once all the charges are in.

[KevShmev]

That sounds about right.

Also, my brother checked out The Storm on youtube today, liked it, and bought the mp3s from iTunes tonight.  His first text to me about it was:

Blue Ocean good, 2nd song is awful

 

I had to agree.

[Shadow2222]

Hmm, don't get me wrong, the whole album is amazing, but my favorite song is definitely Shoulda, Woulda, Coulda.  Interesting to see that many of you do not like the song.

[wolfking]

Finally listening to this for the first time, and I'm only onto the third song, but so far it's pretty decent, it sounds really fresh.  Great to hear Morse getting some killer leads in.  IMO though, MP's drums are too loud, especially the kick drum.

[Nekov]

Finally listening to this for the first time, and I'm only onto the third song, but so far it's pretty decent, it sounds really fresh.  Great to hear Morse getting some killer leads in.  IMO though, MP's drums are too loud, especially the kick drum.

It's MP, his drums are always really loud 

[KevShmev]

Yeah, if you are buying a CD that Portnoy plays on, it is usually safe to assume going in that the drums will be very high in the mix.  Most of the time they aren't intrusive despite this, so it is usually okay with me (although there are several glaring examples to the contrary over the years, but whatever). 

And the more I listen to this, the more I realize that Kayla ain't even close to be the best song on this.  It is a good song, but Blue Ocean, The Storm, Everything Changes and Infinite Fire all kick the snot out of it.

[wolfking]

The volume of his drums never really bothered me at all in the past, but I think because it's a different more laid back style of music, I notice it a ot more.

[rumborak]

The only qualm I have with MP is that I think Fool in my Heart could have been a lot better with Casey singing all of it. I find myself really anticipating his entry into the song because by that point I'm kinda tired of the vocals. Especially the whole "cut to his knee-hees" I find rather distracting.

rumborak

[The Letter M]

The only qualm I have with MP is that I think Fool in my Heart could have been a lot better with Casey singing all of it. I find myself really anticipating his entry into the song because by that point I'm kinda tired of the vocals. Especially the whole "cut to his knee-hees" I find rather distracting.

rumborak

I've grown to like it, and any qualms I had with the song before have all but disappeared. Any fans who dislike the song, however, should not blame Mike for it (his singing), but rather should blame Neal - he wrote it and urged Mike to sing on it, despite reluctance to do so. SO... if you blame anyone for disliking "Fool In My Heart", it should be Neal, not Mike.

Either way, I still like FIMH more than AFD.

-Marc.

[Pols Voice]

YEAH, BLAME NEAL!!! 



MP's vocals on Fool in My Heart are a nice change of pace. I like a variety of vocalists on an album.

[Nick]

MP's vocals on Fool in My Heart are a nice change of pace. I like a variety of vocalists on an album.

This.

[Ben_Jamin]

I enjoy the harmonies the most. Probably why I enjoy All Falls Down. That, Blue Ocean, and The Storm make my top 3.

[Tick]

As much as I enjoy this album, I'm just not sure its necessary for me to go to NYC to hear it performed. Can't decide yet. I'm going to Marillion back to back nights next month. Then Rush in October. Then Disney/Universal for 8 days in December. Just don't know if its worth the effort and the cash.

[OsMosis2259]

MP's vocals on Fool in My Heart are a nice change of pace. I like a variety of vocalists on an album.

This.

Agreed. I also think this track has MPs best vocals ever.

[KevShmev]

They are not as bad as some of his other "lead" vocal performances, mostly because the majority of them in this song are more of the talking vocal variety, as opposed to having to actually sing a lot, but the song, which is a fairly nice one, still would have benefited greatly if Neal or McPherson had sang it instead.  Damn it, Neal.

[Tick]

MP's vocals on Fool in My Heart are a nice change of pace. I like a variety of vocalists on an album.

This.

Agreed. I also think this track has MPs best vocals ever.

I would agree, but that is not saying too much. He hits a couple very sour notes---------> "This fool loves you still"
Ouch

[Shadow2222]

^ Agreed (although for the most part he sounds fine).

[Tick]

^ Agreed (although for the most part he sounds fine).

he does a decent job for sure.

[Tick]

They are not as bad as some of his other "lead" vocal performances, mostly because the majority of them in this song are more of the talking vocal variety, as opposed to having to actually sing a lot, but the song, which is a fairly nice one, still would have benefited greatly if Neal or McPherson had sang it instead.  Damn it, Neal.

As good a singer as Casey is, I prefer Neal by a mile. Casey is technically a better vocalist, but the intangible quility of Neal's vocals make him one of my favorites. I would have been much happier if Neal sang the whole album.

[Kotowboy]

^ Agreed (although for the most part he sounds fine).

he does a decent job for sure.

Just listened to that song and it sounds like MP is *smothered* in pitch correction...

[Tick]

^ Agreed (although for the most part he sounds fine).

he does a decent job for sure.

Just listened to that song and it sounds like MP is *smothered* in pitch correction...

Not a big surprise.

[The King in Crimson]

They are not as bad as some of his other "lead" vocal performances, mostly because the majority of them in this song are more of the talking vocal variety, as opposed to having to actually sing a lot, but the song, which is a fairly nice one, still would have benefited greatly if Neal or McPherson had sang it instead.  Damn it, Neal.

As good a singer as Casey is, I prefer Neal by a mile. Casey is technically a better vocalist, but the intangible quility of Neal's vocals make him one of my favorites. I would have been much happier if Neal sang the whole album.

Whenever Neal shows up, I'm almost immediately waiting for Casey to start singing again.

Neal's a unique vocalist, but one that I've never been particularly enamored with.

[Nick]

I mean I've LOVED Neal's vocals for a long time, but I really like Casey on this album and frankly I just really like how they varied it up on the album.

[KevShmev]

I definitely prefer Neal as a vocalist (considering I've never heard any of McPherson's stuff outside of this project), but for Flying Colors, I am glad that they let someone else be the lead vocalist.  Neal is too closely associated with his solo stuff and Transatlantic, and this project needed its own identity.

[Nick]

I definitely prefer Neal as a vocalist (considering I've never heard any of McPherson's stuff outside of this project), but for Flying Colors, I am glad that they let someone else be the lead vocalist.  Neal is too closely associated with his solo stuff and Transatlantic, and this project needed its own identity.

Agree with this completely. Glad Neal's vocals are on the album, but that they have someone else being the primary vocalist.

[KevShmev]

Yep.  Plus, had Neal been the main lead vocalist, there would have inevitably been those who said Flying Colors sounded like a Neal solo album or Transatlantic album, but with simpler songs.  I mean, look at how some thought The Whirlwind sounded like another Neal solo album (which made zero sense); it would have been the same thing with Flying Colors.

[bobs23]

^ Agreed (although for the most part he sounds fine).

he does a decent job for sure.

Just listened to that song and it sounds like MP is *smothered* in pitch correction...

Not a big surprise.

I have heard the raw tracks. I can assure you this is not the case. And fwiw, they were looking at a few different styles of vocal, and this one fit the song the best.

[Nick]

I agree Kev, and while my personal enjoyment of the album wouldn't have been affected by it, it would have been rather annoying to see.

^ Agreed (although for the most part he sounds fine).

he does a decent job for sure.

Just listened to that song and it sounds like MP is *smothered* in pitch correction...

Not a big surprise.

I have heard the raw tracks. I can assure you this is not the case. And fwiw, they were looking at a few different styles of vocal, and this one fit the song the best.

Bobs ownd.

Edit: And for the record, Portnoy doesn't claim to be a great lead vocalist, and I remember him saying he only sang the song because Neal really pushed for it, and so frankly I don't care if they had used pitch correction for it.

[Tick]

Yep.  Plus, had Neal been the main lead vocalist, there would have inevitably been those who said Flying Colors sounded like a Neal solo album or Transatlantic album, but with simpler songs.  I mean, look at how some thought The Whirlwind sounded like another Neal solo album (which made zero sense); it would have been the same thing with Flying Colors.

People would have said that, but as the listener, I can really care what people say about anything I listen to. As long as I dig it, it doesn't matter.
Many of my friends can't stand Labrie, and I could care less about that either.
but whatever, Casey does a good job.

[Scooterfruit]

I've had a digital copy of this album for a while (*ahem...*) But I was FINALLY able to get an awesome local independent record store to order this in for me. It arrived the other day and it's all I've been listening to. I've always really dug this album but now I LOVE it! I still don't like Shoulda Coulda Woulda or All Falls Down...to me, they just don't play to what this band's strengths are. Every other song I absolutely love!

Brilliant album. 9.5/10. It's going to be tough to top this one for album of the year, but we'll see what Momentum has to offer.

[ytserush]

As much as I enjoy this album, I'm just not sure its necessary for me to go to NYC to hear it performed. Can't decide yet. I'm going to Marillion back to back nights next month. Then Rush in October. Then Disney/Universal for 8 days in December. Just don't know if its worth the effort and the cash.

Not worth the effort and cash for Disney, but that's just me. 

I'm already on board for the rest, even though ticketbastard had to be involved with most of it.

[wolfking]

I'm really digging this album.  Unique, fresh and really great tunes.  The guys seem to sound really great together as a band.  Hopefully we see a second album.

[FlyingBIZKIT]

Yeah, I'm totally looking forward to a second album.


This one blew me away.

[Tick]

As much as I enjoy this album, I'm just not sure its necessary for me to go to NYC to hear it performed. Can't decide yet. I'm going to Marillion back to back nights next month. Then Rush in October. Then Disney/Universal for 8 days in December. Just don't know if its worth the effort and the cash.

Not worth the effort and cash for Disney, but that's just me. 

I'm already on board for the rest, even though ticketbastard had to be involved with most of it.

Its just not music I need to see performed live.
and this will be my 3rd time to Disney with my family. We always have a great time.

[rumborak]

Just bought my ticket

I like that it's a Thursday. That way I can make it a long weekend and come down with the train during the day.

rumborak