Flying Colors
Artist: Flying Colors
Label: Music Theories Recordings
Release Date: March, 2012
Review Date: March, 2012
Flying Colors is the self-titled debut album by the Prog Rock super group by the same name. Genre giants Neal Morse (keyboards, vocals), Mike Portnoy (drums, vocals), Dave LaRue (bass), Casey McPherson (vocals, guitar), and Steve Morse (guitar) joined together to, as their press release says, “to make new-fashioned music the old fashioned way . . . together, they create a unique fusion of vintage craftsmanship, contemporary music and blistering live performances”.
Boomerocity couldn’t agree more with that statement.
Wow! This disc grabs you by the ears and takes you on a sonic roller coaster ride that leaves you blissfully exhausted when the final notes are played. The opening bass riff on the first cut, Blue Ocean, immediate made me think of the great Jerry Scheff bass lines at the beginning of the Doors’ L.A. Woman. The similarities are soon set aside as the incredibly lush, rich sounds that are distinctly Flying Colors can crashing through. This tune gives you a very good idea of what you’re in store for on this album.
Following Blue Ocean is a great rocker entitled Shoulda Coulda Woulda and, in our opinion, is what you would get if you merged Queen and Deep Purple into one band. This song definitely earns a place on the Boomerocity short list of favorites from this album.
Another favorite is the complex, tightly written Kayla. Beautiful harmonies, addictive melodies, and soaring instrument lines gives the listener something different to focus on with each listen.
One of the mellower and more thought provoking songs of the album is the beautiful Better Than Walking Away that deals with the complications that come from close relationships and how to deal with them. This one is definitely worth listening to closely multiple times.
By far the most epic (and lengthy) song of the album is the last one, Infinite Fire, clocking in at exactly twelve minutes. This song will definitely be a prog rockers delight. Intricate, variable in “speed”, and very “Yes-meets-Mister Mister”-ish, this tune is the perfect end to a perfect album.
If you’re a prog rock fan or just wanting to broaden your listening horizons, Flying Colors is the perfect addition to your listening library.
You can also read the Boomerocity interview with Flying Colors’ Neal Morse here.
Written by Randy Patterson
All rights reserved. Permission for use may be obtained by contacting
