So what does a super group
like Flying Colors do after releasing an amazing debut studio recording?
Release a live album of course! It does make sense. While everyone is
anxiously awaiting another studio project we can now enjoy Live In Europe.
If you need some diversions they are plentiful as each band member has
their own bands and solo projects they are always working on. It is an
endless, albeit wonderful ongoing process that provides great music for
the fan that enjoys progressive rock, rock and pop.
Flying Colors is Mike Portnoy
(drums, vocals), Dave LaRue (bass), Neal Morse (keyboards, vocals),
Casey McPherson (lead vocals) and Steve Morse (guitar). The band
combines rock, progressive rock and pop in a most satisfying way. If you
have not listened yet you need to discover this band! What better place
to start than right here with this live release.
Live In Europe comes in several formats
including a 2 CD set, DVD, Blu ray and a 3 LP limited edition set that
is available on the band’s website. For those familiar with the band and
each individual member and their distinct sounds and recorded material
outside the realm of the band, this will be a real treat. If you are
concerned about quality well that does not have to be a sticky point.
You can see and listen to the video provided of “The Storm” as
everything and more is presented here with the utmost care and quality.
Another point of contention normally with live releases is that bands
have a tendency to be either unable or unwilling to duplicate what they
have created in the studio. Again this is not the case here, they do it
with all the flair and energy that each member can muster and it comes
out sounding amazing.
Casey McPherson sounds great
and he even does one of his own songs “Can’t Find a Way” and it gives
the young vocalists (young in comparison to the other band members!) a
chance to shine on his own. It fits the set just right. Portnoy does
Dream Theater’s “Repentance,” LaRue presents “Spur of the Moment,” Morse
does Spock Beard’s “June,” and Steve Morse gets his moment in the
spotlight with the classic Dixie Dregs “Odyssey.” This is all to the
sheer delight of the crowd attending the concert as they get a cross
section of prog rock history along with original band material.
Live In Europe hits the bulls eye in every
aspect and if you are chomping at the bit for a great live experience on
CD, DVD, Blu ray or LP I think this will set you straight, at least for
a while until another album comes out. Progressive rock is enjoying
tremendous growth and gaining popularity daily. With bands like Flying
Colors that appeal to a large cross section of listeners, it opens the
door to advances in musical development, plants the seeds for more
growth and expansion and most of all adds new listeners within the
genres broad scope. The “Infinite Fire” (a great closer for the show) of
Prog has a multicolored paint brush that is continually creating new
masterpieces, now we have one more to hang in the gallery.
5/5 STARS
Key Tracks: The Storm, Can’t Find A Way, Infinite Fire
Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-Founder MuzikReviews.com
December 11, 2013
No comments:
Post a Comment