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Collage - Baśnie CD (album) cover

BAśNIE

Collage

 

Neo-Prog

3.64 | 170 ratings

From Progarchives.com, the ultimate progressive rock music website

Gatot
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator
4 stars

Excellent debut from Poland's Neo-Progger!

Well, I have to admit that without being associated with this wonderful site - ProgArchives - how would I know this precious album by the band that previously was unknown for me? It's my friend Jarek - a regular reader of this site - who sent me a bunch of CDs from Poland's prog bands. Wow! So many prog outfits coming from Poland! Thanks to Jarek, thanks to ProgArchives who connects me to the wider world of progressive music, including knowing nice person like Jarek. Of course I know this band from this site but I had never imagined how the band sounds like because neo prog is quite wide in horizon. Is it something like Marillion? Or something like Pallas? Or IQ? Or Pendragon?

When I spun this CD at first time, it blew me away right away. What made me blown away was the fact that Collage uses multi-layered keyboards nicely, coupled with stunning guitar playing in the vein of neo prog music. I would say the music of this album represents the combination of Pallas, IQ, Pendragon, Jadis and a bit of Pulsar. Why Pulsar? Well, you might observe how the melody leads the music through a bit of spacey kind of nuance. The other attraction point for me is the fact that non-English lyric is being used. It does fit with the music. The music is dynamic, performed in high energy.

Why liking this album?

Fan of Neo Prog. Definitely, if you claim yourself as neo progressive music, owning a copy of this CD is a must - and no compromise for this! I can tell you that the compositions are all stunning! There is no such thing as bad track, every single track is excellent! The opening track "Jeszcze jeden dzien" (One More Day) (4:10) projects how neo prog can be presented in energetic way but still maintaining the ambient of neo prog music through floating keyboard work combined with stunning guitar. You might associate this song with IQ and I don't blame on you. Vocal has good power as well. I do enjoy the combination of guitar and keyboard solo. The keyboard style reminds me to Clive Nolan of Arena / Pendragon. The music gives drum solo at later part of the song. Excellent composition.

It then flows naturally to second track "Ja i ty" (Me and You) (3:20). Maintaining the soul of previous track. From track to track the music is consistent in neo prog style and if you are not a neo prog fan, it's probably time to kill your CD player and change the CD with other band. But if you really enjoy neo prog, there are many subtleties you would find until track 8 "Rozmowa" (Conversation) (4:45) which mainly very interesting on keyboard solo and guitar.

Melodic Segments. As a neo prog band it is required that the music must contain melodic / catchy segments. I can assure you there are many catchy segments produced by this album. You might go straight to track 3 "Kolysanka" (Lullaby) (4:30) for an example. Observe at approx minute 3:10 when the music interlude produces melodic notes. This is only one example and it's according to me very melodious. Why? Melodic means differently from one person to the others. So I'd rather trust your feeling than mine. But for sure the part I'm talking about here is catchy for me, personally.

Symphonic Music. This album has significant symphonic nuance that would attract those of you who adore legendary bands like Yes, Genesis, ELP. You might go straight to track 4 "Basnie" (Fairy Tales) (10:00), the album title track, which is an epic with many great shot on symphonic music. The intertwined guitar and keyboard works represent what usually come out from symphonic prog music. All tracks contained in this album have symphonic elements. The guitar intro at "Dalej, dalej" (Farther and Farther) (7:00) reminds me to Steve Hackett's guitar fills and the keyboard at the background provides wonderful symphonic nuance. Observe the way pulsating keyboard work overlays the music especially during transition pieces augmented with guitar solo.

Excellent keyboard. It's for sure if you like keyboard-drenched music, this album is for you, no doubt! As you explore the music you will notice that keyboard is the main contributor of the music. In some parts you will find Rick Wakeman style but in another part you will find Clive Nolan's style. Combined, these two styles produce nice harmony.

Why (you are) NOT liking this album?

Getting bored. This statement applies to those of you who do not (or can not) enjoy the floating style of neo progressive music. You might find this album has dull variation. All the tracks might sound alike in your ears. If this is the case, well .. I cannot help you my friend. One thing for sure, you have missed all the beauty that neo progressive music presents: simple composition, catchy melodies and smooth transition pieces. Bearing this in mind, you might find minimum (or even none) surprises; everything seems like predictable. If you get bored with this album, try to stop your listening when you reach at track 4 and enjoy the rest the next day. and I'm sure you will get right subtleties of the music.

Nothing new. If you always search something new about an album / artist, you will end up not re-spinning this CD. Why? There is nothing new. Yes, you might find the music is similar with other bands like IQ, Pallas, Arena.

Conclusion

Straight to the point: this is an excellent addition to any prog music collection. It has powerful composition with excellent songwriting and overall performance. All instruments are played dynamically. Overall production, including CD sonic quality is good. The only concern that I have is the drum sounds which are recorded / mixed thinly. The rest are okay. What I do like is that this album concludes with excellent track "Rozmowa". Keep on proggin' ..!

Peace on earth and mercy mild - GW i-Rock!

Gatot | 4/5 |

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