Flying Colors have announced that they’ll release their third studio album later this year.
In chemistry, when certain galvanizing elements come together, they become quite explosive. In music, when certain galvanizing artists come together, they become Flying Colors. In fact, whenever the five gentlemen who encompass Flying Colors — guitarist Steve Morse (Deep Purple, Dixie Dregs, ex-Kansas), Portnoy (The Winery Dogs, ex-Dream Theater, Transatlantic), keyboardist/vocalist Neal Morse (Transatlantic, ex-Spock’s Beard, and a prolific solo artist in his own right), bassist Dave LaRue (Dixie Dregs, ex-Joe Satriani), and powerhouse vocalist and songwriter Casey McPherson (Alpha Rev, The Sea Within) — are able to conjoin their collective talents, the result is a sweet sonic bouillabaisse that reflects where their inherent mastery of melody intersects with top-shelf progressive musicianship.
And now, Flying Colors soar to even loftier heights with “Third Degree”, their third studio album in a decade. “Third Degree” builds upon the genre-bending momentum of 2012’s self-titled “Flying Colors’ and the aural-template ascension of 2014’s “Second Nature”. From the skittery psychedelic/classical turnaround of the lead single ‘More’ to the Beach Boys-meet-ASIA vibe of ‘Love Letter” to the deep emotionality of the album-ending, prog-leaning epic ‘Crawl’, the nine tracks that comprise “Third Degree” signify just how much Flying Colors is willing to explore new frontiers.
The follow-up to 2014’s Second Nature will be released on CD Digipack, limited edition 2LP, 180g blue vinyl, 2LP 180g black vinyl, as a limited edition box set featuring CD, 40 page photobook, two coasters and a six-track bonus disc, and on digital and streaming platforms.
Portnoy says: “There’s a lot of ear candy sprinkled throughout every song and each one takes you on a little journey. As albums go, “Third Degree” is a complete piece that I don’t think ever overstays its welcome. I think it’s an enjoyable ride from start to finish.
“It took time, but that’s the thing with Flying Colors – it’s very hard to get the five of us in the same room at the same time. But once we do, it flows so easily.”
Flying Colors have marked the news with a neon-soaked video for ‘More’ – the first single from the record which can be found below, along with the “Third Degree” tracklist and cover art.
The band have several live shows planned in the US and Europe over the course of the next few months – kicking off with a set at Morsefest 2019.
Track listing:
01. The Loss Inside
02. More
03. Cadence
04. Guardian
05. Last Train Home
06. Geronimo
07. You Are Not Alone
08. Love Letter
09. Crawl
Deluxe CD bonus disc
01. Waiting For The Sun (unreleased bonus studio track)
02. Geronimo (alternate instrumental arrangement & mix)
03. You Are Not Alone (alternate instrumental arrangement & mix)
04. Love Letter (alternate instrumental arrangement & mix)
05. Last Train Home (alternate instrumental arrangement & mix)
06. Crawl (alternate instrumental arrangement & mix)
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Video for ‘More’
