Flying Colors is the debut studio album by the American supergroup Flying Colors, released on 26 March 2012. It debuted at No. 9 on Billboard's Hard Rock chart,[8] and No. 11 on the BBC's Rock Album charts.[9] The album art is based on the artwork Blown Away[10] by artist and sculptor Jim Bond, as photographed by John Coombes.
| Flying Colors | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Cover art | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | March 26, 2012[1] | |||
| Recorded | January–March 2011 | |||
| Genre | Rock,[2] alternative rock,[3] progressive rock,[4] hard rock[5] | |||
| Length | 60:26 | |||
| Label | Mascot Label Group | |||
| Producer | Peter Collins | |||
| Flying Colors chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Rock Hard (de) |    [6] |
| Sea of Tranquility |  [7] |
Background and writing
editThe band composed and recorded the album in just nine days in early 2011, during a short and intense session. Dave LaRue recalls, “It was quite an experience – the band moved at a fast pace, ideas flying around the room at all times. Sections of tunes were arranged, then re-arranged, ideas were tried every which way until we made them work, or, in some cases, discarded them altogether. Just keeping track of everything was a challenge!” McPherson adds, “This record is filled with trial and triumph. Raw and delicate songs alike amidst the swirling and daring orchestration of Steve, Neal, Mike and Dave. It’s been such an inspiring challenge melding folk, prog, pop, and metal all into one big recording.”[11] In March 2011, a shorter second session was held to record final vocals and let Collins work out the final arrangement of the songs.[12]
True Colors
editIn 2017, the band released True Colors, the raw "unmastered" version direct from the mixing desk of Michael Brauer. The band reports this version to have "more detail, dynamics, and depth" as the original version was "taken prisoner in the loudness wars."[13]
Track listing
edit| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Blue Ocean" | 7:05 |
| 2. | "Shoulda Coulda Woulda" | 4:32 |
| 3. | "Kayla" | 5:20 |
| 4. | "The Storm" | 4:53 |
| 5. | "Forever in a Daze" | 3:56 |
| 6. | "Love Is What I'm Waiting For" | 3:36 |
| 7. | "Everything Changes" | 6:55 |
| 8. | "Better Than Walking Away" | 4:57 |
| 9. | "All Falls Down" | 3:22 |
| 10. | "Fool in My Heart" | 3:48 |
| 11. | "Infinite Fire" | 12:02 |
Personnel
edit- Flying Colors
- Steve Morse – lead and rhythm guitar
- Casey McPherson – Lead vocals, co-lead vocals (1, 3, 7, 10, 11)
- Neal Morse – keyboards, backing vocals, co-lead vocals (1, 3, 7, 11)
- Dave LaRue – bass guitar
- Mike Portnoy – drums, percussion, co-lead vocals on "Fool In My Heart"
- Production
- Bill Evans – executive producer, production engineer, cover art, arrangement
- Peter Collins – producer
- Jerry Guidroz - recording engineer, studio engineer
- Michael Brauer - mix engineer
- Howie Weinberg - mastering engineer
- Roy Koch - layout
References
edit- ^ "Flying Colors debut album released 5 years ago". The Prog Report. 26 March 2017. Retrieved 21 April 2017.
- ^ "Flying Colors still at #11 on UK Charts". twitter.com. Retrieved April 2, 2012.
- ^ "Reviews". flyingcolorsmusic.com. Retrieved August 15, 2012.
- ^ "Flying Colors – Flying Colors (2012)". musicalindulgence.wordpress.com. 19 June 2012. Retrieved August 15, 2012.
- ^ "Flying Colors Debuts in Billboard's Top-10 Hard Rock Albums". flyingcolorsmusic.com. Retrieved August 15, 2012.
- ^ Rensen, Michael. "Rock Hard review". issue 299. Retrieved 24 June 2013.
- ^ "Sea of Tranquility Review". Retrieved 20 April 2022.
- ^ "Flying Colors Debuts in Billboard's Top-10 Hard Rock Albums". flyingcolorsmusic.com. Retrieved August 15, 2012.
- ^ "Flying Colors still at #11 on UK Charts". twitter.com. Retrieved April 2, 2012.
- ^ "Blown Away". Retrieved August 15, 2019.
- ^ "Flying Colors Website". Retrieved 20 April 2022.
- ^ "Modern Rock Review". Retrieved 20 April 2022.
- ^ "True Colors". 27 October 2017. Retrieved March 29, 2022.