NL -> Roine Stolt - 1998 Hydrophonia (pg.1)

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Roine Stolt - 1998 Hydrophonia, соло-альбом Цветочного Короля

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Елена Нетлабская

Posted: 25-05-2006, 00:14 (post 1, #605629)

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Артист:	Roine Stolt
Альбом:	Hydrophonia, 1998
Издатель:	InsideOut / IOMCD 047
Жанр:	Prog-rock....
Формат файла:	eac-log-cue-flac-scan-rar
Ссылка:	CD 13 clicks
Нахождение:	eDonkey/Kademlia

The Flower Kings, Kaipa, Transatlanic, The Tangent... and and... и как он успевает?

tnx to friends

amazon.com
Flower King By The Seashore, August 28, 2001
Reviewer: El Kabong
You can't help but root for Roine Stolt. After years as a journeyman musician buffeted by the four winds of trends and fads, he finally got the opportunity to realize his vision, and he's been taking it to the hoop ever since. His prolific output in the late 90s is only amazing in light of how damned GOOD all of it is. This is a solo album he released between STARDUST WE ARE & FLOWER POWER, and it avoids every last pitfall one associates with 'guitarist-releases-instrumental-album' syndrome. Stolt's considerable axe prowess is on display here, but it's not front-and-center as you'd expect. Rather, he uses HYDROPHONIA as an opportunity to show off his compositional chops, offering ten tracks that span a wide range of styles and approaches: his keyboard and bass playing is as impressive as his guitar, and as central to the music. And the music is wonderful, as good as anything appearing on a Flower Kings cd proper. The set opens with 'Cosmic Lodge', a tour-de-force incorporating classical-rock, jazz and a main theme so gloriously anthemic you can picture it as the soundtrack music for Creation itself. This masterpiece segues into the lovely, rollicking-but-gentle 'Shipbuilding'...look, I could rave about all the tracks here (save the Kenny G-like letdown of 'Lobsterland Groove') but none of the shouting would truly indicate the pleasure you'll get from listening to them for yourself. No vocals (a shame as I love his Wettonesque croon) but, even without words, Stolt communicates his enduring, heartfelt love of life clearly and unmistakably. People suffering depression should try listening to this daily - I'm serious, it's safer than pills and saner than psychoanalysis. (Not that I dislike dark'n'disturbing stuff - I've got shelves full of it - but you need a little light in there, too.) HYDROPHONIA is an essential chapter in the continuing saga of Roine Stolt and the Flower Kings: get it now, thank me later.

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progarchives.com
Review by Muzikman (Keith Hannaleck)
5 stars 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.

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progarchives.com
Review by MikeEnRegalia
5 stars This is a remarkable solo album. Like The Flower King, this album obviously sounds much like the Flower Kings, as they are mainly based on Stolt's songwriting. Let me rephrase that - This album sounds like the essence of the Flower Kings. It's so full of beautiful melodies, interesting and sometimes funky rhythms, and very dynamic. Every theme is fully developed and explored here, a quality that many similar albums lack.
Cosmic Lodge: Great track. It kicks off with an epic intro, followed by a short saxophone solo, which soon makes way for Stolt's guitar. The song is based on a funky rhythm of drums and bass, upon which many different and ever changing themes are introduced.
Shipbuilding: A wonderful track, which was also used on the Flower Kings DVD (Meet The Flower Kings) as background music of the tour documentary. It's such a beautiful melody, played by Stolts guitar and a flute.
Little Cottage by the Sea: This was also used on the DVD, and it's a wonderful laid back song that really sounds like the title suggests - listening to it, you literaly see fisher boats, people going about their business in that little cottage.
Wreck of HMS Nemesis: Beautiful baroque-ish melody here in the intro. This is my favorite track on the album, it's an epic, although a short one.
Bizarre Seahorse Sex Attack: This track start's with a beautiful Xylophone riff, and even the melody is underlined with an unisono playing xylophone, much like Zappa used xylophones. It then is varied a bit, using Clavinets and other similar instruments. The melody itself also reminds of Zappa, until about halfway of the song when the drums kick in, when it begins to sound more like a FK song. But then again, the following guitar solo again reminds of Zappa.
Oceanna Baby Dolphin: Beautiful guitar solo in the intro, where Stolt uses the volume knob of the guitar to create a steel guitar sound with his normal guitar. Like Shipbuilding, this is simply a beautiful track.
Nuclear Nemo: This is one of the few tracks that aren't entirely happy and peaceful, it's really dark and brooding at times. Wonderful Bass/Guitar unisono riffs, and some parts even remind of King Crimson. Van der Graaf Generator's "Killer" also comes to my mind here.
Hydrophonia: Wonderful track, but not as colorful as the others.
Lobsterland Groove: This is a track that you could dance to. It starts with the bass drum playing straight 4ths, and no snare. The bass plays a funky line, and Porcupine Tree comes to my mind - except that the melodies and rhythm instruments are more like Zappa-influenced Jazz-Fusion. And indeed, the songs features a lengthy saxophone improvisation.
Seafood Kitchen Thing: Finally, we get a real up-tempo track. Many themes of the previous songs are picked up here in form of multi-voice guitar solos. About half way through the song, there is a nice Zappa quote ... I leave it to you to find it. And later, a guitar solo that sounds like a mixture of Zappa and Vai. This is really a great way to finish a remarkable album.

1. Cosmic Lodge (7:13)
2. Shipbuilding (5:51)
3. Little Cottage by the sea (4:55)
4. Wreck of HMS Nemesis (11:55)
5. Bizarre Seahorse Sex Attack (6:00)
6. Oceanna Baby Dolphin (3:26)
7. Nuclear Nemo (6:27)
8. Hydrophonia (6:11)
9. Lobsterland Groove (6:19)
10. Seafood Kitchen Thing (9:25)

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