So
we have yet another super group and another band that Mike Portnoy is in? Well,
yes that is a fact and those of you that enjoy great rock music of all sorts
should be rejoicing right now because a classic album is waiting to hit those
starved ear drums and to relieve you of all the garbage that is out there on
the internet and radio. This relief comes in the form of the new band Flying
Colors. The members are Mike Portnoy (drums, vocals), Neal Morse (keyboards,
vocals), Steve Morse (guitar), Dave LaRue (bass) and Casey McPherson (lead
vocals).
For those of you that are not familiar with the members
in this band, everyone has impressive resumes. Mike Portnoy (Dream Theater,
Transatlantic, Avenged Sevenfold), Neal Morse (Spock’s Beard, Transatlantic,
Solo), Steve Morse (Dixie Dregs, Deep Purple, Solo) and Dave LaRue (Dixie
Dregs, Steve Morse Band) have a lot in common and are no strangers when it
comes to their music and who they have played with. Casey McPherson seems to be
the odd man out, but wait! It sounds like he has been with this group of
players for quite some time after you listen to the album and he was indeed the
perfect fit for this project.
Now you are probably thinking who is Casey McPherson? I
have a feeling once this album catches on, and it will mind you and very
quickly, you will be hearing that name more often. One listen to “Kayla” and
the range this guy has will serve as a welcome mat to any listener. His sweet
yet powerful vocals set the tone for their music. He had an album out for
Disney in 2010 titled New Morning
that debuted in the Top 5 on two Billboard Charts. He is also from a band
called Alpha Rev, and he was recommended by who else but Mike Portnoy. I think
Mike should start his own label and hand pick talent, groom them, produce them,
and then distribute their albums worldwide. He certainly has a knack for it. He
did a lot of that when he was running the Progressive Nation Tours, and very successfully.
This self-titled release has a little bit of everyone in
the music which means that stylistically you will hear just about everything.
Now think about that for a moment. All the influences and talents of each band
member colliding in the studio to bang out 11 tracks of glorious rock… or
should I say they are flying their colors. That sounds exciting and it is,
every second of it is charged with energy, outstanding musicianship and finely
crafted songs ranging from over 3 to 12 minutes. So what you end up hearing is
a steaming cauldron of rock, pop, progressive, funk, etc. over the course of
this recording. All eleven tracks are excellent. With a lineup such as this
that is what you expect but super groups do not always work out very well. I
think what you have here is a bunch of ultra-talented guys having fun and
allowing the magic to happen without personality or ego issue getting in the
way.
You get that kicked back relaxed atmosphere feeling right
from the start with “Blue Ocean” when it kicks off with some comfortable studio
banter that leads you into the track. LaRue begins it with a “walk across the
floor” bass line that sets the stage. After that song runs its course the
realization that you are in for something special takes hold and fortunately
never lets go. This is a made for radio hit if I ever heard one but we all know
that will never happen because corporate radio has blinders on. “Shoulda Coulda Woulda” is an all out rocker
with fat power chords sparking from Morse’s guitar then Portnoy and LaRue lay
down the juggernaut bottom end that takes it all for a musical rollercoaster
ride. What I found a real treat was hearing McPherson sing (he reminded me of
Sixx: A.M.’s James Michael) and Neal Morse offering his signature vocals to the
mix as well. It turns out to be a very successful partnership and appealing
sound that holds firm throughout the run of the CD.
One of the pleasant surprises of the album is Portnoy
taking over the lead vocals on “Fool In My Heart.” This is a very good track
and although Portnoy is no McPherson and never will be, he does a fine job with
the song. It actually seems like a perfect fit. Is this a song about himself or
someone he knows possibly? One never knows about these things but in any case
it really is an enjoyable track.
Fittingly the band ends with the prog rock monster track
“Infinite Ride” which takes 12:02 minutes. It leaves you feeling that the more
you listen to this music the more it feels like the title of the track. I
really hope this is not going to be a one off recording. I mean this is one of
the best albums for variety and talent I have heard in quite some time. Yes the
self-titled Flying Colors is destined to be hailed as a classic right out the
gate. Let’s hope that this is just the beginning of this exciting new band.
5/5 Stars
Key
Tracks: ALL
Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck
February 20, 2012
No comments:
Post a Comment