ALBUM REVIEW: Third Degree – Flying Colors
It has been five years since prog supergroup FLYING COLORS have graced us with new material. Third Degree is the third album by these prog titans and it’s their most refreshing work to date. Once you overcome the dad-rock aspect of it, Third Degree is a fun, bright and catchy piece of work, with enough hooks and prog rock brilliance to hold your attention. FLYING COLORS consists of legendary members such as Steve Morse [DEEP PURPLE, DIXIE DREGS, ex-KANSAS], Mike Portnoy [WINERY DOGS, ex-DREAM THEATER, TRANSATLANTIC], Neal Morse [TRANSATLANTIC, ex-SPOCK’S BEARD], Dave LaRue [DIXIE DREGS, ex-JOE SATRIANI] and Casey McPherson [ALPHA REV, THE SEA WITHIN], so expectations are high with a lineup such as this!
Kicking off with latest single The Loss Inside, this is one of the highlights of the album. If the keyboard hooks and McPherson‘s luscious vocals fail to reel you in at the first instant, then back away now. Funky bass and a soulful verse paves the way before the rocktastic chorus stirs the soul. The Loss Inside is a superb example of how the mix ensures each instrument has its moment to shine. The keyboard and guitar solos do not overstay their welcome and Portnoy‘s controlled beats increase the depth of the sound. A brilliant start which sets the standard for the remainder of Third Degree.
Old school rock riffs spill out the speakers in next track More, before McPherson channels his inner Matt Bellamy. This MUSE-esque approach gives the track a surreal feel. This surreal edge continues with the slow and dreamy Cadence. Deliciously melodic, with a story to tell, this is the sound of modern prog-rock and it is sublime.
Guardian begins as a chill ballad before erupting into a stirring yet cheesy chorus. There is a string of melancholy running through the songs but the bright guitar notes and funky bass in Guardian keep an air of cheer to proceedings. The bass solo provides a beautiful interlude and is accompanied by twinkling guitars and keys. A quirky, little ditty, it is also one of the most intriguing songs on Third Degree. Next track Last Train Home is a lot more dramatic. Storming in with a blistering guitar solo, everything is heightened on this track. FLYING COLORS sound like a prog version of JOURNEY with McPherson‘s moving storytelling and heart-wrenching vocals. The keyboard solos emphasises the glorious 80s vibe. The only downside is the Last Train Home doesn’t know when to end. The progressive passages are the most outstanding parts but do not sit comfortably in the general flow.
If Last Train Home was a progressive train wreck then Geronimo is its superior funk counterpart. With irresistible slap bass and smooth verses, the song’s allure is hard to ignore. Geronimo boasts an energy which is lacking in some of the songs prior, so it really takes on a life of its own. Things mellow down again with You Are Not Alone with its lighter-in-the-air inducing ballad melodies. If you think dramatic rock and roll ballads were a thing of the past, then this track with prove you wrong. The retro stance continues with the delightfully upbeat Love Letter.
Album finale Crawl starts with delicate piano and a sorrowful melody. The beautiful lyrics and glorious songwriting provide the perfect ending for a stirring album. In general, the majority of Crawl is one of the more reserved songs, but things do perk up and reach an incredibly moving climax. If you ignore the dated aspects of FLYING COLORS you can really appreciate the stirring melodies and progressive delights the band bring to the table. The music is nothing ground-breaking or different but is still a hugely enjoyable album to listen to. In these dark times it is reassuring to hear brightness and hope, such as is delivered in Third Degree.
Rating: 7/10
Third Degree is out now via Music Theories Recordings/Mascot Label Group.
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