SENKI MADARA

It was worth the wait for YESTERDAYS' 3rd studio album! As an audiophile I must say that the band really nailed the sound and the dynamics. Very impressive sound quality that brings back the good old dynamics we all love from the vinyl times of the '70-s.

But of course the sound isn't everything (although it is very important in progressive rock music), the music is good as well. This album for me is like their lovely debut Moonlit Garden (Holdfénykert) with a more powerful sound. All the trademark Yesterdays things are present, flute, mellotrons, amazing guitar work, beautiful female vocals, multiple vocal harmonies. There is something magical also with the Hungarian language. And their have used ancient Hungarian folk songs and texts for this record and that gives some extra depth, honesty and power to the music.

Symphonic prog is best to describe this music. The first song starts off like a GENESIS or YES tune with minimoog, mellotron and fantastic drumming (of Szűcs József, who was drummer of the band in an earlier line-up). This song grabs you immediately and it gives a perfect start to the album. The second song reminded me of GENTLE GIANT in places where the string quartet was combined with flute. Nice contrapuntal composition. The chorus has strong YES influences, it brings back JON ANDERSON's la-la-la's which I really enjoyed. The third song is the most upbeat composition on the album, a lovely little piece that could be also featured on a YES album from the seventies. AND YOU AND I came to my mind very fast. The fourth song is one of the highlights for me, Elmehetsz features airy steel guitar melodies, it even quotes SOON from THE GATES OF DELIRIUM at one point. Stephanie Semeniuc's voice shines and brings this beautiful tune to the next level. I hope that Yesterdays will stick to her voice for more albums. At the end of the song a choir comes in. Breathtaking! Ne mondd el is the 5th song, it's a haunting folk song with rich percussion arrangement, fretless bass and a KING CRIMSON reminiscent middle part with drum solo and MELLOTRON extravaganza! The next tune, Hajnalcsillag (Morning Star) is more relaxed with a nice intro, beautiful buildups, drum crescendo-s, Akos's jazzy sing-a-long guitarsolo and a choir climax at the end. Just wow! Szomjú madarak is one of the most complex songs of the record. Starts with a baritone acoustic and with flute. Stephanie's voice amazes me again... she can sing some really low notes too. I guess this low melody fits the traditional folk song's mood. Flowing moog solos, nice rhythm changes, heavy flutes, tasty arrangements all over. One of the best Yesterdays songs ever. The final big piece (Nap) has a prelude (Eso) which has some strong TONY BANKS sounds, very GENESIS-like. Nap in the other hand is very powerful... starting with acoustics it will surprise you in every minute with aggressive bass guitars and mellotrons again. The outro is a true highlight. I was lost in the mood, the rhythm changes, the sounds of it. Nap (Sun) is like everything between a Sunrise and a Sunset. Begins acoustically and ends with acoustic sounds, setting the "sunset" mood for the last little tune, which is an ancient prayer. Ugy bocsass el is the last song and a beautiful way to end an album with acoustic guitar, airy vocals and string quartet.

I also think that the 3rd album is a very important milestone in a band's life. Yesterdays found an interesting voice with this album and I hope that they will go on writing in this style and hopefully very soon! I'd like to give 4.5 stars for this album. A great addition to every symphonic prog fan's collection. This is another Eastern European masterpiece! Highly recommended!