Flying Colors – Discography (2012–2020): A Deep Dive into the Supergroup’s High-Fidelity Journey

In the world of progressive rock, the term "supergroup" is often thrown around, but few bands embody the spirit of collaborative genius like Flying Colors. Comprising virtuosos from the worlds of prog, metal, and pop, the band has spent nearly a decade crafting a sound that is as complex as it is catchy.

For audiophiles and collectors, the quest for the ultimate listening experience often leads to the EAC-FLAC (Exact Audio Copy - Free Lossless Audio Codec) format. This ensures a bit-perfect rip of the original CDs, capturing every nuance of the band’s intricate arrangements. Below, we explore the Flying Colors discography from 2012 to 2020, focusing on the studio releases that defined an era. The Lineup: A Perfect Storm

Before diving into the music, it’s essential to understand the pedigree involved: Casey McPherson: Vocals (Alpha Rev) Steve Morse: Guitar (Deep Purple, Dixie Dregs)

Neal Morse: Keyboards, Vocals (Spock’s Beard, Transatlantic) Dave LaRue: Bass (Dixie Dregs, Joe Satriani)

Mike Portnoy: Drums, Vocals (Dream Theater, The Winery Dogs) 1. Flying Colors (2012)

The self-titled debut was an experiment in "pop-prog." The goal was to combine old-school craftsmanship with contemporary songwriting.

The Sound: Produced by Peter Collins, the album balances short, radio-friendly tracks like "Kayla" and "The Storm" with the sprawling, 12-minute epic "Infinite Fire."

Why FLAC Matters: The layered vocal harmonies and Steve Morse’s crystalline guitar tones benefit immensely from a lossless format, preventing the "muddiness" often found in high-compression MP3s. 2. Second Nature (2014)

If the debut was a blind date, Second Nature was a marriage. The band took more risks, leaning further into their progressive roots while maintaining their melodic sensibilities.

Key Tracks: "Mask Machine" provides a heavy, riff-driven punch, while "Cosmic Symphony" showcases the band's ability to weave multiple movements into a cohesive narrative.

The Production: This album features a more organic, dynamic range. Audiophiles seeking the EAC-FLAC version will notice the incredible separation between Dave LaRue’s intricate bass lines and Portnoy’s thunderous percussion. 3. Third Degree (2019)

After a five-year hiatus, the band returned with what many consider their most mature work. Third Degree refined the formula established in the previous two records.

The Highlights: "More" is a psychedelic journey with modern production, whereas "Love Letter" serves as a technicolor tribute to 60s/70s pop (think Beach Boys meets ELO). The closing track, "Crawl," is a masterclass in emotional buildup and payoff.

The Sonic Detail: By 2019, the band’s recording techniques had peaked. The EAC-FLAC rips of this album reveal a stunning soundstage, particularly in the delicate acoustic sections of "The Loss Inside."

The EAC-FLAC Standard: Why It’s the Gold Standard for Prog

For fans of Flying Colors, listening in standard streaming quality is like looking at a Da Vinci through a foggy window.

Exact Audio Copy (EAC): This software ensures that the data extracted from the CD is 100% accurate, correcting any read errors that standard rippers might ignore.

FLAC (Lossless): Unlike MP3s, which discard "unnecessary" audio data to save space, FLAC preserves every single bit. In progressive rock, where a song might have 50 different instruments or vocal layers, this clarity is vital.

Dynamic Range: Flying Colors albums are mastered to breathe. Lossless files preserve the peaks and valleys of the music, ensuring the loud sections hit hard without distorting, and the quiet sections remain whisper-quiet. Conclusion

The Flying Colors discography from 2012 to 2020 represents a rare moment in music history where five distinct egos merged into a single, harmonious voice. From the pop sensibilities of their debut to the grand architectural prog of Third Degree, they have provided a wealth of material for those who value musicianship and high-fidelity sound.

Whether you are a longtime fan or a newcomer, experiencing these albums in EAC-FLAC is the only way to truly appreciate the "Flying Colors" in their full spectrum.

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

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

Here’s a write-up tailored for a music blog, private tracker, or sharing community post:

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

A supergroup that truly lives up to its name, Flying Colors brings together an all-star lineup of progressive rock and metal virtuosos: Steve Morse (Deep Purple, Dixie Dregs) on guitar, Mike Portnoy (ex–Dream Theater, Sons of Apollo) on drums, Dave LaRue (Dixie Dregs) on bass, Neal Morse (Spock’s Beard, Transatlantic) on keyboards and vocals, and Casey McPherson (Alpha Rev, Endochine) on lead vocals and guitar. The result is a seamless blend of hard rock, prog, pop sensibility, and instrumental mastery.

This complete FLAC discography (2012–2020), ripped securely with Exact Audio Copy (EAC), includes all studio albums and essential bonus tracks, preserving every detail from the original CDs.

📀 Included Releases:

🎵 Audio Quality:
All tracks ripped in FLAC (Level 8), verified with AccurateRip, log files and cuesheets included. No transcodes — sourced from official retail CDs.

🔊 Why FLAC?
Flying Colors’ production (by Peter Collins and the band) is lush and dynamic — from Steve Morse’s crystalline cleans to Portnoy’s punchy drum mix. FLAC captures the full frequency range, perfect for critical listening on high-end systems.

📁 Format: FLAC / EAC / CD-Rip / Tracks + Cue + Log

Whether you’re a prog head, a musician seeking reference-grade recordings, or just a fan of melodic hard rock with teeth, this discography is essential. Enjoy the colors in lossless brilliance.

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.

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

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.

Why This Discography Matters in 2025

Streaming is convenient, but it is not archival. Services like Tidal and Apple Music use FLAC now, but they do not allow you to own the metadata, the scans, or the exact pressing of the CD.

The 2012-2020 period represents a complete arc. It tells the story of a band that started as a side project and became a family. With Steve Morse currently stepping back from touring to focus on his health (as announced in recent Deep Purple updates), these recordings have taken on historical weight.

Owning the Flying Colors - Discography -2012-2020- -EAC-FLAC- is akin to owning a master tape. It is the safety deposit box of progressive rock. Whether you are listening through Sennheiser HD 800s, a car’s 24-bit system, or just a pair of studio monitors, the difference is audible.

To match “EAC-FLAC” quality (secure CD rips)

If you buy the CDs (still available via Amazon, Discogs, Radiant Records), you can rip them yourself using:

Use –secure mode, test & copy, and create a log + CUE sheet if you want the exact “scene-style” quality.