Rainmaker

The Flower Kings | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 18, 2001)
• Original Release Date: 2001
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Inside Out U.S.
• ASIN: B00005O6NF
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (40 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #18,522 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #46 in Music > Indie Music > Rock > Progressive
  • #90 in Music > Indie Music > World Music > General

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simply the Best Band on the Planet, September 18, 2001

By 

Michael Askounes (Frederick, MD) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Rainmaker (Audio CD)

When you hear CDs like "The Rainmaker", it REALLY makes you upset that so many young folks are getting forced to listen to Limp Bizkit, boy bands, talentless rap acts, and other simililar examples of today's nihilistic youth culture. Thank God (or whoever) that there is a band like the Flower Kings to give music lovers something worthwhile to listen to. These guys, IMHO, are the best band out there at the moment, and after seeing them live it's amazing how tight they are.

For long time FK fans, "Rainmaker" will take some time to get used to (much like their previous outing "Space Revolver"). However, once it gets a hold on you, it simply does not let go. The opening track "Last Minute on Earth" features Hasse Froeberg's powerful and inhuman singing, along with some killer keyboard chops from Tomas. Throughout the rest of the CD, The Flower Kings hop around from standard prog (Road to Sanctuary) to R&B (Serious Dreamers) to heavy metal (Sword of God) to classical (The Rainmaker) - and they mix and match these style seamlessly.

While all the musicians are of course phenomenal (especially bassist Jonas - to see him live is nothing short of incredible), special mention must be made of drummer Jaime Salazar, who makes his final appearance as a Flower King on this CD. His drumming is wonderful throughout the album, and he will definitely be missed.

This one is simple - if you love good music with musician that can play the hell out of their instruments, but still focus on songwriting and melody, then you should buy this CD. And, if you're one of those who thinks the music world starts and ends with MTV, come check out what people with actual talent can do when they set their minds to it.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Are we listening to the same CD?, October 30, 2004

By 

David Momberg "dpmomberg" (Chattanooga,TN) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Rainmaker (Audio CD)

I know that tastes differ widely-even among rabid FK fans, but its hard to imagine that we are listening to the same CD after reading some of these reviews. I guess I can partly understand the feast or famine response to this album-is it because it actually is less quirky and more consistant than all of their others? Yes it is more serious and a little more brooding at times-but these are incredibly intricate and tightly played songs-even the straight forward "World without a Heart". "Thru the Walls","Sword of God", and"Serious Dreamers". And how can you not realize that "Road to Sanctuary" is probably the most beautifully crafted 10-15 min. mini-epic they've ever recorded! Featuring a haunting accoustic mid-section,a beautiful yet powerful bass line by Jonas Reingold(at the end)and powerful lyrics and singing throughout by Roine Stolt."Last Minute on Earth" is not far behind-and one of their best openers-and even though it rocks harder than most FK songs-they pull it off brilliantly. "City of Angels" is another under-rated mini epic reminiscient of "Back in the World of Adventures". I will admit the instrumentals don't do a whole lot for me and are the weakest links on the CD-but this is still by far the most consistent FK CD out there IMO-and a must for all PROG fans! The FK still reign supreme!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Progressive Perfection!!!, October 4, 2001

By 

Vini G. Diliddo "Hoops Fanatic" (Gloucester, MA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Rainmaker (Audio CD)

Before this release, I asked myself how can this band possibly follow-up the astonishing work of 'Space Revolver'? Somehow, Roine Stolt (Lead Guitar, Vocals) and his Flower Kings have taken a solid progressive foundation and has built on it's outstanding musicianship and style over the years. You may have heard that "The Flower Kings is today's YES", well I can assure you that this is absolutely true! No other band in the world today epitomizes solid creative and melodic progressive music than this 'musicians dream' band. You hear 'something new' everytime you play this CD, just like the previous works. The more you become familiar with these songs you will pick up melodic weavings and themes you may not have noticed before.
It is really and impeccable work of art.

I was lucky enough to see Roine and the boys live in Cambridge a few days before this CD was released, and they exceeded all of my expectations. What an awesome show!
Michael Stolt and Jaime Salazar have departed but yet the Kings have gotten even better! Tomas (Keyboards)is perfect for this band, Hasse (Vocals, Guitar) is absolutely amazing! Jonas (Bass) is one of the best and most melodic Bass players I've ever seen, and Zoltan (Drums) is not only a great guy to talk to, but one hell of a accomplished Prog Drummer!
This Band Rules! The RainMaker is a must for any progressive music collection. Thank God for the Flower Kings!!!