The Future Kings Of England - The Future Kings Of England ( 2005 )

 

Future Kings Of England's self-titled debut is a mesmerizing gem that almost everyone seems to have missed out on. And if it hadn't been for mr Mellotron Storm so would I. A big thanks there! The band released 2 more albums since this debut and while they continued a high quality standard, none of them touches me as much as this one.

Future Kings Of England are a band that has found a unique spot for themselves inbetween majestic post-rock and psychedelic kraut/space-rock. You will also find traces of the mind-expanding 68-71 Floyd era, but it never really sounds like the Floyd to me. The band has more in common to GYBE, be it with more attention to melody and without those extreme quite-loud "dynamics". Both are a plus as far as I'm concerned.

Most songs are quite long, and gradually build, rise and release tension while going through big multiple bars spanning melodies. Fans of minor-key guitar arpeggios and soaring spacious leads will lick their fingers clean on this one. The sound is very open and organic, a bit rough in the drum department but all instruments resonate loud and cleary.

With such a low number of reviews I would certainly dare to call this one low-rated, even though the happy few who have visited this beautiful album have all rated it very highly. Very recommended to lovers of instrumental post-rock and space-rock.Review from Progarchives.com

Songs / Tracks Listing

 

1. At Long Last... (1:01)
2. 10:66 (7:46)
3. Humble Doucy Lane (8:55)
4. Silent And Invisible Converts (7:29)
5. October Moth (3:48)
6. Lilly Lockwood (8:18)
7. The March Of The Mad Clowns (3:35)
8. Pigwhistle (14:00)
9. God Save The King (0:48)

Total Time: 55:30

Line-up / Musicians - Ian Fitch / guitar, xylophone
- Karl Mallet / bass, effect tapes
- Simon Green / drums, percussion
- Steven Mann / keyboards
- Anvar Valiyev / violin, narration 

The Future Kings Of England - The Viewing Point ( 2009 )

This is THE FUTURE KINGS OF ENGLAND's third studio recording. It's an all-instrumental concept album about this man who drives out to this place (the viewing point) with his car and looks out over the water and thinks. It's a place he used to go to with his family but now he's alone. There's something about looking out over the water that's been there for thousands of years that brings some sort of stability and comfort to a life that can often be far from it. I live near a beach that's on a bay that goes as far as the eye can see. And while I haven't really done any thinking alone in my car like we have in this concept, I love being on the beach walking or running. It's my favourite place. I have to give this band a ton of credit not only for their musicianship but for the fact that all three albums have been different from one another, and they're all amazing. A very talented group of guys.

"Go..." opens with the sound of a car driving up before the guitar and beat take over.This is psychedelic and laid back. A fuller sound after 2 minutes before it settles into this FLOYD- like beat after 2 1/2 minutes. Organ joins in too. Mellotron around 5 minutes. I love the guitar, this is so uplifting. A powerful sound 6 minutes in. Amazing tune. "Sea Saw" does not sound like THE FUTURE KINGS OF ENGLAND at all. It opens with this drum led rhythm before it turns heavy a minute in. A calm follows. Mellotron 2 minutes in with piano. The sound starts to build with theremin. Great sound 4 1/2 minutes in as it changes again with guitar and drums leading the way. "The Cool Hard Truth" is a short but gorgeous sounding tune. It kicks in around a minute then settles to that earlier sound.

"Time Flies Like An Arrow" is spacey and psychedelic to start with a slow beat and mellotron. Guitar comes in. The tempo picks up after 3 minutes with bass, drums and organ leading. A calm before 9 minutes then it kicks in heavier than before. Mellotron follows as it settles to a lighter but more emotional section. Incredible track. "Rain Later, Good" opens with the sound of this man listening to the radio in his car. Strummed guitar and beat with vocal melodies follows. Sounds like flute late. "The Viewing Point" opens with spacey sounds as a beat and bass join in. A change 3 1/2 minutes in as the music fades and sound samples arrive of him in the car. A new soundscape comes in around 5 minutes. It kicks in after 6 minutes then settles quickly. These contrasts continue.

I still feel their debut is the best by far followed by the second one. This album is still a solid 4 star album but lacks the heaviness I like from their earlier albums. I do like how psychedelic it is though. "Sea Saw", "Rain Later, Good" and the title track haven't grown on me like the other songs, but the other tracks are just killer.

Songs / Tracks Listing

1. Go... (7:36)

2. Sea Saw (7:17)

2. The Cold Hard Truth (1:37)

2. Time Flies Like An Arrow (13:16)

2. Rain Later, Good (2:48)

2. The Viewing Point (12:19)

Total Time: 44:08

Line-up / Musicians

- Ian Fitch / guitars

- Simon Green / drums

- Karl Mallet / bass

- Steve Mann / keyboards