Stolt, Roine - Hyrdophonia


Year of Release: 1998
Label: Foxtrot
Catalog Number: FOX CD-019
Format: CD
Total Time: 67:47:00

Whom else but the great guitarist, writer, and vocalist, Roine Stolt (The Flower Kings) would ponder why he creates music and in the same breath humbly give a nod to his influences? Then state that the importance of his art is insignificant in terms of the grand scheme of things? After all, we are all stardust in the beginning then we return to that form of existence upon expiration of our existence in this realm. I beg to differ; I think his music is as important as life itself, it is the essence of who we are and it brings us closer to our maker. For me, besides looking into my children's eyes, music is one of the only things that remind me from whence I came. I am sure that Roine would consider every day life as part of his artistry, and in turn, his expressiveness through his music vividly interprets those events. They say that the eyes are the windows to the soul; I think music serves this purpose very well, too.

Hydrophonia is a classic progressive rock instrumental statement from one of the most important and influential guitarists of our time. Although you may not hear his name mentioned in the same frame of reference as a Page or Clapton, Roine Stolt is without any doubt one of the best guitarists to ever pick up the instrument. Because his music is not mainstream, his popularity is not on the level that it should be, but believe me, he belongs in the upper echelon of great musicians of the last decade, and surely beyond as he continues to blaze a path for all of those that yearn to follow his legacy. This album is as strong as anything that he has done with The Flower Kings, and it is also proof positive that he is the musical genius that has propelled his band to great heights that they have reached over the last several years. This solo flight is just as prolific as his work with the band.

Every track is a sonic delight filled with essential progressive energy stemming from rock, pop, jazz, blues, and many other origins of musical and cultural diversity. Listening to the title track pretty much sums up the feelings and sounds that you will become engrossed in while taking in this recording. The song has Middle-Eastern leanings charged with dreamy saxophone and sharp keyboard shades. Stolt is an exceptional virtuoso that plays hard to formulate adventurous naturally rocking melodies. He succeeds in every way. On "Lobesterland Groove," you will find familiarity with the sounds, as they are reminiscent of some of the best Flower Kings material. Those are just two examples from an outstanding album jam packed with high points that are in a perpetual state of escalation and flux within the framework of each song.

I found this album to be exhilarating and consistent in quality from start to finish. It leaves nothing to be desired for substance and meaning. It is a five star outing beyond compare.


Tracklisting:
Cosmic Lodge / Shipbuilding / Little Cottage By The Sea / Wreck Of HMS Nemesis / Bizarre Seahorse Sex Attack / Oceanna Baby Dolphin / Nuclear / Nemo / Hydrophonia / Lobsterland Groove / Seafood Kitchen Thing

Musicians:
Roine Stolt-guitars, bass, keyboards,percussion
Jaime Salazar-drums, percussion
Ulf Wallander -soprano saxophone

Discography:
Kaipa - Kaipa (1975/1993)
Kaipa - Inget Nytt Under Solen (1976/1993)
Fantasia (1979/1992)
The Lonely Heartbeat (1989)
Kaipa - Stockholm Symfonie (Japanese bootleg) (1993)
The Flower King (1994/2001)
Behind The Walls (LP) (1995)
The Flower Kings - Back In The World Of Adventures (1995)
The Flower Kings - Retropolis (1996)
The Flower Kings - Stardust We Are (1997/2000)
The Flower Kings - Scanning The Greenhouse (comp) (1998)
The Flower Kings - Edition Limit?e Quebec (only 700 copies!) (1998)
The Flower Kings - Flower Power (1999)
The Flower Kings - TFK fanclub disc (2000) (free CD exclusive to fanclub members only)
The Flower Kings - Alive On Planet Earth (2000)
The Flower Kings - Space Revolver (2000)
The Flower Kings - Space Revolver Special Edition (2CD set) (2000)
The Flower Kings - The Rainmaker (2001)
The Flower Kings - The Rainmaker - Special Edition (2001)
The Flower Kings - Unfold The Future (2002)
The Flower Kings - Live In New York: Official Bootleg (2002)
The Flower Kings - Fan Club CD 2002 (2002)
Kaipa - Notes From The Past (2002)
Hydrophonia (2002)
Kaipa - Keyholder (2003)
The Flower Kings - Fan Club CD 2004 (2004)
The Flower Kings - Adam & Eve (2004)
The Flower Kings - BetchaWannaDanceStoopid (2004)
Kaipa - Mindrevolution (2005)
Kaipa - The Decca Years 1975-1978 (5CD set) (2005)
Wall Street Voodoo (2005)
The Flower Kings - Harvest (2005)
The Flower Kings - Paradox Hotel (2006)
The Flower Kings - The Road Back Home (2007)
The Flower Kings - The Sum Of No Evil (2007)
The Sum Of No Evil (Special Edition) (2007)

The Flower Kings - Meet The Flower Kings - Live Recording (DVD) (2003)
The Flower Kings - Instant Delivery (2DVD) (2006)
The Flower Kings - Instant Delivery - Limited Edition (2CD/2DVD) (2006)

Genre: Progressive Rock

Origin SE

Added: January 12th 2003
Reviewer: Keith "Muzikman" Hannaleck
Score:
Artist website: www.flowerkings.se
Hits: 1611
Language: english

  

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