Rachel Flowers – Bigger on the Inside ( Rachel Flower Music, 2021)
“Bigger on the Inside” is the third solo album from Rachel Flowers, one of the most talented artists in the American progressive rock scene. I first came across Rachel Flowers when she released several music videos where she played remarkable versions of Emerson Lake and Palmer pieces. Although she was initially portrayed as keyboard wizard, she has developed into a fantastic multi-instrumentalist who skillfully plays various musical instruments and is equally a gifted vocalist.
The new album showcases Rachel’s various musical influences. The most interesting to me are the progressive music leaning pieces and there is quite a lot of it on “Bigger on the Inside” .
Rachel Flowers opens the album with a formidable progressive jazz-rock instrumental titled “A B” where Rachel delights with her guitar and electric piano lines. Next, she presents “Taker Me Away” a lengthy suite that begins with majestic cathedral-style organ and progresses into a masterful mix of vocals, superb keyboard work (piano, organ, synths) and drums.
On track 3, “Too Much” shifts to mesmerizing layered vocals, string synths, piano and drums. Although it begins with a slow tempo, the song builds up nicely with epic intensity.
The fourth song, “Love Today” is well crafted classic rock song. Track 5, “This is a Way I Am” starts takes a turn into grand symphonic progressive rock with memorable keyboard inspired by Keith Emerson and lyrics that reflect Rachel’s feelings.
Next is “The Darkness,” a masterfully-orchestrated cinematic piece that has echoes of Aaron Copeland and Keith Emerson featuring monumental keyboard and guitar creations.
Track 7 is the longest composition on the album nearly 12-minutes long. It is yet another beautifully-constructed piece that intertwines symphonic progressive rock and feel good fusion.
“Beautiful Dream” is an emotive piano and vocals ballad.
The final piece is “With You,” a cheerful song with an epic finale.
Says Rachel, “I was inspired by composers and bands like Ambrosia, Frank Zappa, and Keith Emerson while writing the songs on ‘Bigger on the Inside.’ Some songs were inspired by or even heard in dreams. Others were improvised during the recording process. Sometimes just hearing a new piano sound can lead to inspiration. Some of my lyrics just come from my imagination and others come from real experience.”
Rachel adds: “I’ve always wanted to create music that had those big sounds that I love. I was excited to incorporate more of the organ on this album, using my Nord C2D and Electro 4D as well as pipe organ sound libraries to get that iconic tone I was looking for. There is also a lot of electric guitar on this album. I was inspired by Steve Vai, John Mayer, Steven Wilson, and of course Adrian Belew, who was a direct inspiration for the opening track.”