Flying Colors - Discography -2012-2020- -eac-flac- May 2026

The Flying Colors discography from 2012–2020 represents a masterclass in the "prog-pop" genre, a concept envisioned by executive producer Bill Evans to blend complex virtuosity with accessible, song-oriented structures. This period covers the complete studio evolution of the supergroup, consisting of Mike Portnoy (drums), Steve Morse (guitar), Neal Morse (keyboards/vocals), Dave LaRue (bass), and Casey McPherson (lead vocals). Studio Albums (2012–2019)

The core of this collection includes the three primary studio efforts that define the band's identity: Flying Colors - Love Letter (Official Music Video)

The story of Flying Colors' discography from 2012 to 2020 is one of seasoned virtuosos— Mike Portnoy Steve Morse Neal Morse Dave LaRue Casey McPherson

—finding common ground between complex progressive rock and accessible, melodic pop. The Genesis: Flying Colors (2012)

Born from an idea by executive producer Bill Evans to pair a "charismatic pop singer" with virtuoso musicians, the band wrote and recorded their Self-Titled Debut in just nine days. The album was a high-energy "taster" that blended heavy rockers like "Shoulda Coulda Woulda" with the epic 12-minute prog-workout "Infinite Fire".

Live Record: Live in Europe (2013), captured at Tilburg’s 013 venue, showcased the band's immediate chemistry on stage. Establishing the Sound: Second Nature (2014)

Their sophomore effort, Second Nature, saw the band leaning into greater complexity and emotional depth. Tracks like "Peaceful Harbor" became fan favourites for their soaring vocal arrangements and the addition of a gospel choir. The album received "Album of the Year" and "Band of the Year" nominations at the Prog Awards.

Live Record: Second Flight: Live at the Z7 (2015) was a tech-heavy release, featuring early 4K video experiments and immersive "3D audio" headphone mixes. The Third Cycle: Third Degree (2019)

Released after a five-year studio hiatus, Third Degree is often cited as the band's most cohesive work, where they truly gelled as a singular unit. It balanced technical mastery in "Crawl" with pure melodic hooks in "Love Letter".

Live Record: Third Stage: Live in London (2020) concluded this era, capturing a career-spanning performance at the iconic Shepherd’s Bush Empire just before the global pandemic shifted the music landscape. Album Type Release Title Release Year Studio Flying Colors Live Live in Europe Studio Second Nature Live Second Flight: Live at the Z7 Studio Third Degree Live Third Stage: Live in London

The American progressive rock supergroup Flying Colors released three studio albums and several live recordings between 2012 and 2020. This period represents their core output, characterized by a unique blend of technical virtuosity and pop-sensible melodies. The Prog Report Studio Discography (2012–2020) Album Title Highlights Flying Colors

The debut album that established their "prog-pop" sound, featuring the 12-minute epic "Infinite Fire". Second Nature Flying Colors - Discography -2012-2020- -EAC-FLAC-

A more experimental follow-up with standout tracks like "Peaceful Harbor" and "Cosmic Symphony". Third Degree

Their latest studio effort, praised for its accessible yet complex songwriting in tracks like "More" and "Crawl". Notable Live Releases

The band is well-known for their high-energy performances, often documented in high-fidelity audio: Review: Flying Colors – Second Nature - Liam Thatcher

Flying Colors - Discography (2012-2020) - EAC FLAC

Flying Colors is an American progressive rock supergroup formed in 2012. The band consists of Steve Morse (The Dixie Dregs, Steve Morse Band), Mike Portnoy (Dream Theater, Winery Dogs), Billy Sheehan (Mr. Big), and Jason Bonham (Foreigner, Bonham). With their unique blend of progressive rock, hard rock, and jazz fusion, Flying Colors has released several critically acclaimed albums, showcasing their exceptional musicianship and songwriting skills.

In this article, we'll take a look at the discography of Flying Colors from 2012 to 2020, featuring their studio albums, live recordings, and EAC FLAC versions.

Studio Albums

Why avoid torrents labeled “-EAC-FLAC-“

Those are often Scene releases — convenient, but:

  • Potentially incomplete (missing logs, wrong tagging)
  • May contain transcodes (MP3 → FLAC)
  • No metadata standardization
  • Illegal distribution hurts a relatively niche prog band

If you need help finding the official store links or CD UPCs for Flying Colors, reply and I can provide those.

Flying Colors Discography (2012–2020) represents the complete studio and major live output of the American progressive rock supergroup. Comprised of virtuosos Mike Portnoy, Steve Morse, Neal Morse, Dave LaRue, and vocalist Casey McPherson, the band’s mission is to blend complex, "proggy" instrumentation with accessible pop-rock songwriting.

The "EAC-FLAC" designation refers to high-fidelity audio rips created using Exact Audio Copy (EAC) Free Lossless Audio Codec (FLAC) The Flying Colors discography from 2012–2020 represents a

format, ensuring bit-perfect digital preservation of these releases. Studio Albums

Flying Colors released three core studio albums during this eight-year period: Flying Colors (2012)

: The self-titled debut established their sound, featuring tracks like "Blue Ocean," the hit "Kayla," and the 11-minute epic "Infinite Fire". Second Nature (2014)

: Their second effort expanded on their progressive roots with the 12-minute opener "Open Up Your Eyes" and the multi-part "Cosmic Symphony". Third Degree (2019)

: This third installment includes the psychedelic single "More," the emotional anthem "You Are Not Alone," and the grand finale "Crawl". Major Live Releases

Given the band's rare touring schedule due to members' other commitments, their live albums are essential components of their discography:

Flying Colors discography from 2012 to 2020 consists of three studio albums and four live recordings. This supergroup features Mike Portnoy Neal Morse (keyboards), Steve Morse Dave LaRue (bass), and Casey McPherson Studio Albums Flying Colors (2012)

: The self-titled debut. It features the 12-minute epic "Infinite Fire". Second Nature (2014)

: Their second release, which reached Top 10 chart positions worldwide. Third Degree (2019)

: The third studio effort, known for the single "Mask Machine". theprogressiveaspect.net Live Albums Live in Europe (2013) : Captured during the tour for their debut album. Second Flight: Live at the Z7 (2015) : A performance recorded in Switzerland. Third Stage: Live in London (2020) : Recorded in 2019 at Shepherd's Bush Empire. Morsefest 2019 (2021) : A collaborative performance with The Neal Morse Band. Band Lineup

The group's sound blends progressive rock virtuosity with pop-oriented songwriting: Flying Colors – Third Degree - T P A If you need help finding the official store

This guide covers the discography and key historical context for the progressive rock supergroup Flying Colors between 2012 and 2020. This lineup features Mike Portnoy Steve Morse Neal Morse Dave LaRue Casey McPherson 💿 Studio Albums (2012–2020)

Between 2012 and 2020, Flying Colors released three studio albums, each known for blending virtuoso complexity with accessible pop-rock songwriting. Flying Colors (2012)

The debut album introduced the band’s "new-fashioned music the old-fashioned way" philosophy. Key Tracks: "Blue Ocean," "Kayla," "Infinite Fire".

Production: Produced by Peter Collins and executive producer Bill Evans. Release: March 26, 2012. Second Nature (2014)

Expanding on their debut, this record leaned slightly more into progressive structures, featuring the band's first self-production efforts.

Key Tracks: "Open Up Your Eyes," "Mask Machine," "Cosmic Symphony". Artwork: Designed by legendary artist Hugh Syme. Release: September 29, 2014. Third Degree (2019)

Their third studio effort arrived after a five-year hiatus, characterized by diverse styles ranging from psychedelic to emotional epics.

Vol. 1: The Self-Titled Debut (2012) – The Birth of a Hybrid

The 2012 debut, Flying Colors, was a risk. Mike Portnoy had just left Dream Theater, and the progressive metal world expected him to start a band that was heavier. Instead, they got a rainbow.

Vol. 2: Second Nature (2014) – The Progressive Leap

If the first album was a handshake, Second Nature is a bear hug mixed with a judo throw. This is where the quintet stopped worrying about radio play and indulged their 20-minute prog epics.

2017: The Desperate Soul & The Third Degree – The Rock Opera

By 2017 (release date: November 3), Flying Colors had matured into a cohesive unit. The Desperate Soul & The Third Degree is a concept album exploring mental health, paranoia, and redemption. This is arguably the most demanding album in their catalog for digital reproduction due to its dense layering.

Lossless Breakdown:

  • "The Desperate Soul" (5:58): A frantic opener. The EAC-FLAC rip captures the aggressive stereo panning of Morse’s acoustic guitar (left channel) against Portnoy’s tom fills (center-right).
  • "More" (3:28): A mainstream rock single. In MP3, the bass synth pedal becomes flabby. In FLAC, it’s tight and articulate.
  • "Last Train Home" (7:47): A melancholic journey. The quiet-loud-quiet dynamics are preserved perfectly. Listen for the fret noise on Steve Morse’s acoustic slide during the intro – detail lost in lossy compression.
  • "The Loss Inside" (13:09): The centerpiece epic. The FLAC file handles the transition from a cappella vocal harmonies to a crushing 7/8 riff without any digital distortion.

EAC Specifics: Many CD pressings of this album had pre-emphasis flags. A proper EAC rip (with accurate FLAC encoding) de-emphasizes the signal correctly, restoring the natural treble response.