Review by Keith "MuzikMan" Hannaleck
4 stars out of 4
"Alive On Planet Earth" is progressive rock heaven with some of the
best "Flower Kings" music released over the last several years. Their
studio work has been brilliant, offering their listeners strength,
consistency, and a bounty of material without fail. All of their music
is excellent, and this live performance lends further credence to
their greatness. This is a live recording that's the next best thing
to being there. I always wondered how they would sound on stage, now
I have a good idea. I want to see them for myself some day to experience
the beauty and passion of their music and performance. I want to take
in every note so I never forget it for as long as I live. There are
some groups that do something to you that you just can't explain;
The Flower Kings are one of those groups. This two CD set was recorded
in North America in 1998 (CD 1) and in Japan in 1999 (CD 2). It's
a more than a worthy testament to their worldly magnitude and the
supremacy of their music.
They do a version of the classic Genesis prog-rocker by Peter Gabriel
"The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway" that would please and delight any
to-the-core prog-rock enthusiast in a heartbeat. "Sounds of Violence"
reminded me of the 70's version of Uriah Heep, complete with the grinding
driving keyboard sound of Ken Hensley. "In The Eyes of The World"
and "Big Puzzle" are highpoints, and rather memorable. I hadn't previously
detected that on prior albums. At times you can hear the influence
of Yes, particularly in Roine Stolt's guitar playing. Stolt ventures
off to the fringes of jazz on several occasions during the improvisational
segments of some of the songs. The live setting certainly encourages
and prompts every band member to push it to the limit and change the
way each song is remembered in the studio recordings. Of course this
is the true test of a groups wherewithal and combined talents to make
all of this work. I realize I always give a lot of credit to Stolt,
and I should, he deserves it. Roine is very modest and humble, and
he really appreciates his band mates so I do need to give proper credit
to all. I would hear
about it from him if I didn't! It does take more than one person to
make a thriving and intense group like The Flower Kings work. Robert
Engstrand (keyboards disc one) and Tomas Bodin (keyboards disc two)
are hypnotizing on the keys and serve Hans Froberg's cause to help
him bring his voice to another level. His voice is very strong and
it never falters during any performance. He also adds his six-string
experience to the mix. Michael Stolt (bass) and Jaime Salazar (drums)
are a superb rhythm section that the rest of the group couldn't do
without. This is a great example of the spontaneous musical magic
of a group effort. With the Flower Kings it's always a few notches
higher than anyone else.
If you were ever wondering if they could reproduce their studio work
live, don't ever doubt it, they can, and with additional substance
and excitement. They are every bit as good live as they are in the
studio. And I would venture to say that they are better live, if you
can believe that. I am still in total awe of this group; they are
without a doubt one of THE greatest bands on earth.
Credits:
Stephen Geysens - Engineer
Jaime Salazar - Percussion, Drums, Vocals
Tomas Bodin - Keyboards
Roine Stolt - Guitar, Vocals, Photography
David Palermo - Artwork
Hans Froberg - Guitar (Acoustic), Guitar (Electric), Vocals, Slide Guitar
Don Azzaro - Producer
Michael Stolt - Bass, Vocals, Synthesizer Bass
Robert Engstrand-keyboards
Disc One
1. There Is More to This World (Stolt) - 11:31
2. Church of Your Heart (Stolt) - 9:41
3. The Judas Kiss (Stolt) - 15:43
4. Nothing New Under the Sun (Stolt) - 4:13
5.
The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway (Banks/Collins/Gabriel/Hackett/Rutherford) - 9:17
Disc Two
6. Big Puzzle (Stolt) - 18:28
7. Sounds of Violence (Stolt) - 6:38
8. Three Stories (Bodin) - 6:05
9. In the Eyes of the World (Stolt) - 12:07
10. The Flower King (Stolt) - 11:26
11. Stardust We Are, Pt. 3 (Stolt) - 9:45
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