Showing posts with label Flying Colors. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Flying Colors. Show all posts

10/23/2019

Rock Review: Flying Colors-Third Degree

Release Date: October 4, 2019
Label: Mascot Label Group / Music Theories Recordings

We are sitting at crossroads here. At times Third Degree sounds like an underground Grunge band and then it gives off a Kings of Leon-type vibe. With the length of this record, it’s only fair that the album sends its sound in several different directions. Flying Colors sets themselves apart from the typical Rock group in the manner that it possesses facets of all sorts of tones and emotion, where similar bands have one or two tones or moods to them. The same can be said of the Pop genre as well but, that is a story of a different day. 

Flying Colors gives off a positive vibe of soothing rock tones. If in this case, you judge a piece of work by its cover, then you judged correctly. Though each track is not your typical 2 to 4-minute ear-worm, it feels more sophisticated. 

The longevity acts as a storyboard of sorts, except, there is no clear-cut resolution in this tale. It is just pure relaxation and enjoyment for anyone looking to be entranced by “Cadence” or journey through “Guardian.” So long as the listener comprehends that they are in for a musical ride of their life, nothing but happiness will arise. 

The band knows how to capture its audience and bring new listeners on board. They do not start their album with any particular extreme one way or another in terms of notation and lyric (or lack thereof in some songs). They simply let the emotion and music guide them through the minutes of each track. 

Gregg Keniston - MuzikMan.net Staff
October 18, 2019

REVIEWS PROVIDED BY:
Rate The Tracks

Tracks:
1. The Loss Inside
2. More
3. Cadence
4. Guardian
5. Last Train Home
6. Geronimo
7. You Are Not Alone
8. Love Letter
9. Crawl

9/18/2014

Flying Colors - Mask Machine (Official Music Video)


Flying Colors - "Mask Machine" Official Music Video from the album, "Second Nature" out on Mascot Label Group on 9/29 in EU & 9/30 in USA. Pre-order at http://flyingcolorsmusic.com

All pre-orders come with a FREE POSTER & DVD!

8/04/2014

FLYING COLORS TO RELEASE SECOND NATURE VIA MUSIC THEORIES / MASCOT LABEL GROUP


Morse, Portnoy, LaRue, McPherson and Morse Announce Tour To Commence October 2 in Los Angeles with Shows Planned For Chicago, Philadelphia, Spain, Italy, Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, The U.K. and France

GuitarWorld.com Premieres Album Teaser: http://www.guitarworld.com/flying-colors-return

Rotterdam, Netherlands --- Mascot Label Group and Flying Colors have announced a September 29 release date in Europe and the U.K. for the band's SECOND NATURE album via the Music Theories label.  The critics were united in acknowledging the eponymously titled debut album from Flying Colors among the most fascinating releases of 2012. Teaming the talents of such heavyweight names as Deep Purple/Dixie Dregs/ex-Kansas guitarist Steve Morse, drummer Mike Portnoy (Transatlantic, Winery Dogs, ex-Dream Theater), Neal Morse (Transatlantic, Spock’s Beard and a prolific solo artist), bass player Dave LaRue (Dixie Dregs, Joe Satriani, Steve Vai and more) with a comparatively new talent, pop singer/songwriter Casey McPherson, the band challenged conventional wisdom about combining virtuoso music and melodic songwriting.  GuitarWorld.com has premiered an album teaser featuring all five band members here: http://www.guitarworld.com/flying-colors-return

The UK’s Classic Rock magazine hailed the band’s debut as “fearless”, praising its “Journey-sized choruses” and referencing artists as diverse as The Beatles, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Doors, Muse and even Frank Sinatra.  In late 2012, the band toured the United States and Europe, dazzling fans with Flying Colors originals and selections from the catalogues of the five members. The chemistry can be heard on ‘Live In Europe’, a Number #1-charting Blu-ray, DVD, CD and vinyl package recorded and shot in Tilburg, Holland.

Schedules allowing, the protagonists had always viewed Flying Colors as a genuine band as opposed to a mere side project, and quietly yet purposefully they began writing a second studio album. From the first writing session to final delivery of the masters in July 2014, the process took almost a year and half, albeit in four distinct stages: writing sessions via Skype in January/February 2013, another burst of writing and recording at Neal Morse’s house in Nashville, a trip to Portnoy’s home that spawned five additional songs, and finally individual recording/arrangement over the internet throughout the spring of 2014.  “The first album was very much a blind date,” Mike Portnoy explains. “Although we already had ‘Team Dregs’ of Steve/Dave and ‘Team Transatlantic’ of myself/Neal, it was the first time that the five of us – seven if you include Bill Evans and Peter Collins – had collaborated together as a group. This time there was an existing chemistry, we had not only the prior experiences of making the debut album but also the 2012 tour as well.” 

Sporting stunning artwork from the legendary designer Hugh Syme (Rush, Aerosmith, Def Leppard, Whitesnake) and bookended by two tracks of truly epic stature – ‘Open Up Your Eyes’ and the multiple-part ‘Cosmic Symphony’ – the album is every bit as breathtaking as the debut.  Portnoy stresses that the music’s proggier path was “not conscious at all.” The drummer continues: “Direction was never even discussed. We just did what we do. I think perhaps not having a producer to ‘trim the fat’ possibly led to the songs breathing and expanding a bit more.”  Perhaps Steve Morse sums things up best with the statement: “This is an album full of many layers. The more you listen, the more you can hear. It’s an album to keep listening to.”  The complete track listing is: "Open Up Your Eyes," "Mask Machine," "Bombs Away," "The Fury Of My Love," "A Place In Your World," "Lost Without You," "One Love Forever," "Peaceful Harbor," "Cosmic Symphony - I. Still Life Of The World; II. Searching For The Air; III. Pound For Pound"

Flying Colors will tour from October 2-14, across the United States, Europe and the UK.  Appearances are confirmed in:

10/02   Los Angeles, CA                                            James Armstrong Theater
10/03   Chicago, IL                                                     Arcada Theater
10/04   Philadelphia, PA                                             Keswick Theater
10/07   Barcelona, Spain                                             Razzmatazz 2
10/08   Milan, Italy                                                     Milan Live Club
10/09   Tilburg, Netherlands                                       013
10/11   Frankfurt, Germany                                        Batschkapp
10/12   Pratteln, Switzerland                                      Z7
10/13   London, U.K.                                                 Islington Assembly Hall
10/14   Paris, France                                                    Alhambra

FLYING COLORS TO RELEASE SECOND NATURE VIA MUSIC THEORIES / MASCOT LABEL GROUP


Morse, Portnoy, LaRue, McPherson and Morse Announce Tour To Commence October 2 in Los Angeles with Shows Planned For Chicago, Philadelphia, Spain, Italy, Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, The U.K. and France

GuitarWorld.com Premieres Album Teaser: http://www.guitarworld.com/flying-colors-return

Rotterdam, Netherlands --- Mascot Label Group and Flying Colors have announced a September 29 release date in Europe and the U.K. for the band's SECOND NATURE album via the Music Theories label.  The critics were united in acknowledging the eponymously titled debut album from Flying Colors among the most fascinating releases of 2012. Teaming the talents of such heavyweight names as Deep Purple/Dixie Dregs/ex-Kansas guitarist Steve Morse, drummer Mike Portnoy (Transatlantic, Winery Dogs, ex-Dream Theater), Neal Morse (Transatlantic, Spock’s Beard and a prolific solo artist), bass player Dave LaRue (Dixie Dregs, Joe Satriani, Steve Vai and more) with a comparatively new talent, pop singer/songwriter Casey McPherson, the band challenged conventional wisdom about combining virtuoso music and melodic songwriting.  GuitarWorld.com has premiered an album teaser featuring all five band members here: http://www.guitarworld.com/flying-colors-return

The UK’s Classic Rock magazine hailed the band’s debut as “fearless”, praising its “Journey-sized choruses” and referencing artists as diverse as The Beatles, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Doors, Muse and even Frank Sinatra.  In late 2012, the band toured the United States and Europe, dazzling fans with Flying Colors originals and selections from the catalogues of the five members. The chemistry can be heard on ‘Live In Europe’, a Number #1-charting Blu-ray, DVD, CD and vinyl package recorded and shot in Tilburg, Holland.

Schedules allowing, the protagonists had always viewed Flying Colors as a genuine band as opposed to a mere side project, and quietly yet purposefully they began writing a second studio album. From the first writing session to final delivery of the masters in July 2014, the process took almost a year and half, albeit in four distinct stages: writing sessions via Skype in January/February 2013, another burst of writing and recording at Neal Morse’s house in Nashville, a trip to Portnoy’s home that spawned five additional songs, and finally individual recording/arrangement over the internet throughout the spring of 2014.  “The first album was very much a blind date,” Mike Portnoy explains. “Although we already had ‘Team Dregs’ of Steve/Dave and ‘Team Transatlantic’ of myself/Neal, it was the first time that the five of us – seven if you include Bill Evans and Peter Collins – had collaborated together as a group. This time there was an existing chemistry, we had not only the prior experiences of making the debut album but also the 2012 tour as well.” 

Sporting stunning artwork from the legendary designer Hugh Syme (Rush, Aerosmith, Def Leppard, Whitesnake) and bookended by two tracks of truly epic stature – ‘Open Up Your Eyes’ and the multiple-part ‘Cosmic Symphony’ – the album is every bit as breathtaking as the debut.  Portnoy stresses that the music’s proggier path was “not conscious at all.” The drummer continues: “Direction was never even discussed. We just did what we do. I think perhaps not having a producer to ‘trim the fat’ possibly led to the songs breathing and expanding a bit more.”  Perhaps Steve Morse sums things up best with the statement: “This is an album full of many layers. The more you listen, the more you can hear. It’s an album to keep listening to.”  The complete track listing is: "Open Up Your Eyes," "Mask Machine," "Bombs Away," "The Fury Of My Love," "A Place In Your World," "Lost Without You," "One Love Forever," "Peaceful Harbor," "Cosmic Symphony - I. Still Life Of The World; II. Searching For The Air; III. Pound For Pound"

Flying Colors will tour from October 2-14, across the United States, Europe and the UK.  Appearances are confirmed in:

10/02   Los Angeles, CA                                            James Armstrong Theater
10/03   Chicago, IL                                                     Arcada Theater
10/04   Philadelphia, PA                                             Keswick Theater
10/07   Barcelona, Spain                                             Razzmatazz 2
10/08   Milan, Italy                                                     Milan Live Club
10/09   Tilburg, Netherlands                                       013
10/11   Frankfurt, Germany                                        Batschkapp
10/12   Pratteln, Switzerland                                      Z7
10/13   London, U.K.                                                 Islington Assembly Hall
10/14   Paris, France                                                    Alhambra

12/11/2013

Review: Flying Colors-Live In Europe (CD/DVD)

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