LP Review: The Flower Kings - Waiting for Miracles (2019)

Of course, you could argue that Roine Stolts The Flower King released "Manifesto of an Alchemist" in 2018. But still, I'd rather say that the last proper Flower Kings album was 2013-released "Desolation Rose". Until finally, in late 2019 longplayer number 13 by Sweden's prog heroes was distributed to hungry proggers all over the world via inside out music/Sony Music.

Now that it has been six years since the last Flower Kings album the expectations were great as you might imagine. And let me get this out of the way as soon as possible: "Waiting for Miracles" is an album worth waiting for! The quintet from Sweden has produced almost 90 minutes of finest intelligent and various Prog Rock that follows no leaders but itself.

The Flower Kings' new album is like a colourful journey through time. But instead of linear travel Captain Roine Stolt and his crew do it the Prog way. Thus, stops are made at Zappa as well as influences from Yes are obvious and besides the fantastic symphonic arrangements there is always that omnipresent air which makes you realize that noone else sounds like The Flower Kings.

Next to Flower Kings founding members Roine Stolt (guitar/vocals) and Hans Froberg (vocals) the line-up is completed by Zach Kamins (keyboard/guitar), Jonas Reingold (bass), and Mirko DeMaio (drums). Further appearances on "Waiting for Miracles" are founding member Michael Stolt (bass), Paul Cartwright (violin), John Dellinger (viola), and Bradley Dujmovic (engineering). With Mirko and Zach joining the band in 2019 the core has hardly changed but nevertheless the two new members have well integrated into the band's sound.

What makes it so hard to actually talk about the album is the fact that it is unblemished. From the symphonic songwriting which should rather be called compositioning over the flawless performance of each band member until the gorgeous atmosphere between Rock'n'Roll bar and space lab... this is a total 10/10.

Well okay, points of criticism are not completely absent. For my personal taste the song 'Vertigo' is either about two minutes too long or could use a little more tempo around its zenith. And further I can imagine, as many of my readers love Punk Rock that for some "Waiting for Miracles" might sound too polished. Harsher Rock passages do exist here, but yes they are rather rare.

Still, The Flower Kings' "Waiting for Miracles" is an unbelievable and colourful soundtrack of a fantastic journey. I would rather listen to this album than watch TV on a Saturday night. For one and a half hours Roine and his band take you by the hand and show you through the wildest and most gorgeous spots of a world where dreams become reality, miracles actually happen, and belief in change is a real thing.
I am repeating myself. This is a straight 10/10. This is Prog Rock. This is amazing.