EVENING GAMES

The debut album of this Polish band was an excellent mix between neo-prog (a little bit) and symphonic music (the majority). I even considered it to one of the best album of the genre (four stars). Unfortunately, the excellent Mirek Gil is no longer present.

I wouldn't say the same about these "Evening Games". The overall feeling is too much alike "Genesis" ("And Then They Were Three" ) but with Gabrielesque vocals. An old story.

Several tracks are still very melodic and passionate. The best one from this work is without discussion the epic and title song. It features most of the characteristic of a great neo-prog song. Sarhan replaces Mirek brilliantly and he is truly passionate in this long track. At some point (mid-time), vocals are really moving and good old "Genesis" in their early days of their three era is rather close.

Apart from this song, it is not easy to find anything brilliant during these seventy-five (!) minutes of music. Some fine and lush keyboards, some emotional guitar breaks but the overall feeling is that all of these are déjà vu; and the vocals are too much of a second tier Gabriel.

There are also some weaker songs, close to the heavy style like "Rush" or "Why". This is an overall tendency these days: several bands are willing to play on the harder edge. I don't really understand this, although heavy or metal music has a lot of success nowadays and it might just be a commercial stuff.

Others are on the contrary on the mellowish side and not essential ("Love Is Around You"). But I guess that with such a title the band could hardly develop a wild beat. Same applies to "Beautiful World". This time, it sounds as if "Satellite" was willing to sound as "Marillion" (Hogarth version, unfortunately). Some very long and dispensable nine minutes as far as I am concerned.

The inspiration is almost gone during most of this album which is mostly saved by the excellent and long opening number. Some find melodies (I'll Follow The Rain), but this work sounds too much of the same all the LONG way through. IMO, this album is far behind their excellent debut.

Two stars.