37 years on, The Flower Kings are still Progging intently with the best of them in a grand, glowing adventure.

PROPER PROG

First impression: a satisfying continuity in the theme of albums with animals on the cover art, following up on the balancing elephant of Waiting For Miracles. Moving on quickly to second impressions with a glance at the track listing and the two extended tracks, absolute whoppers, that bookend the album. Proper Prog.

Their 18th studio album sits between refined musicianship and an ambition that sees them deliver in the magnum opus stakes with ease. Written and composed by Roine Stolt and Lalle Larsson, the duo come up trumps in both long and short form. “We, the band – trust YOU, the audience – to be curious and to trust us that we want to bring you a grand glowing adventure,” says Roine.

A record borne of meditation on a turbulent time in the modern world. Without venturing into provocative or overt political commentary, the songs reflect on an era often marked by division and diminishing empathy. In waves of buoyant optimism, Roine Stolt, Hasse Fröberg and Lalle Larsson all come to the party with guitars and keyboards each taking turn to step into the spotlight’s glare. Hope sees us always within touching distance of an exquisite melody.

In between, In A World Of Fool is all fretless bass and harp magnificence – maybe Roine having a lend of his mate Jon Anderson’s instrument as the piece is embellished with his usual fluid and tasteful guitar and synth lines . And the sort of harmonies and melodies that have always seen the Beatle influence seep into The Flower Kings music. Cut of similar cloth, Mars & Minerva is a four and a half minute microcosm of The Flower Kings; bubbling melodies and easy gentility and difficult not to appreciate.

THE BIGGIES

In Prog Rock, bigger is better – discuss. A question for debate down the pub with The Flower Kings being called as expert witnesses for the defence.

The Final Curtain – their final curtain? Maybe a portent for the band, likely/hopefully not, opens up Hope with five parts spread across eighteen minutes. The first section literally soars, both musically and with an exchange of voices in a grand musical theatricality. Cinematic in scope, it crosses some of the lines that separate the general air of optimism (and the hope of the title). Friends lost and foes gained and talk of “I’ve been up, I’ve been down, fear and hate, thorns and crowns.”

Part 3 heads into the sort of jazzy fusion interlude oft associated with TFK. Lalle Larsson takes on a winding synth part that leads into a juddering crescendo. Expect and be rewarded with a suitably uplifting turn. Aside from Neal Morse in the Progressive field, no-one really does it much better.

Earning its almost half hour playing time, The Gods Of Rome was has its roots in orchestral territory, being a work ‘in development’ from more than a decade ago. At one point nearly a contender as the musical foundation for another Anderson & Stolt project before ultimately finding a new home with The Flower Kings. Reimagined for the band, it’s a powerful reflection on contemporary life, using the imagery of ancient Rome to explore enduring themes of power, conflict, and the human cost of ambition.

HOPE SPRINGS ETERNAL

The first part an effortlessly flowing instrumental piece introduces the journey that retains much of the original orchestral ambition with typical TFK philosophical punches thrown in. “Remember where you came from,” a simple nudge in the ribs for humanity. Music conquers all, and all that. Parts 5 and 6 deliver instrumental quirks with a touch of swirling Eastern promise in a sequence that flows effortlessly into more standard dreamy TFK expectations. The build to a finale that despite all the previous false alarms, genuinely IS a finale with the “light that shines forever” optimism amidst orchestrated swells.

Hope and indeed, The Flower Kings themselves with their band name perhaps a throwback to the peace and love messages of the Sixties, a reminder that the legacies people leave behind are measured not by wealth or status, but by love, forgiveness, creativity, and the art they create.

Here’s The Gods Of Rome Pt.2:

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