COSMOS INSIDE

Oh, there's something puzzling ... I mean the band name first of all. No, this quartet is not from Poland either, nor did they record their stuff at a Warsaw radio station or so. In fact the studio is situated in Ekaterinburg respectively Yekaterinburg, a Russian city lying on the border of Europe and Asia, summarizing a population of nearly one and a half million people. Those four young chaps named Dmitry, Alexander, Andrei and Feodor started to make music with more of an uneven result at first, just manifested in several self-released single and EP productions.

Anyhow, between May and August 2013 they could record the songs for this album 'Cosmos Inside', surely matured in sound and composition, clearly psychedelic oriented, early Pink Floyd/Syd Barret inspired prog and psychedelia. The new tracks went on to their bandcamp page immediately, but sooner or later Trail Records managers Vlad and Alexander - as they still have proper connections to the music scene of the Russian Federation - succeeded to pick up this affair in order to add the album to their well-assorted label collection.

Well, what should I say, the songs are just worth a listen, simple as that. They are starting with the The Final Mantra and a repetitive kraut flair, yeah, just mantra like as the title correctly implies. The Fractalized Sky comes next - proto prog psychedelia in the vein of the Yardbirds maybe, however outfitted with a more jamming approach too, which finally makes sure, that the songs also differ from being totally retro. Sitar and tampura are serving a strong raga sentiment then on Time-Eternity - also equppied with some nice organ patterns.

At the latest the dub drenched Morosim points to the obvious fact that we're listening to an entertaining well-thought-out song collection here. And of course you won't miss some early Pink Floyd leant stuff like To The Delta Of Aquarius ... or especially the album's title song as the ultimate highlight. Tribal drums and a compelling organ are starting the fire, they soon change into another groove then spiked with competing quirky synths and soaring guitar impressions - just more of an improv jewel I'd say, where they let things slide with excellence.

As for that 'Cosmos Inside' marks an advisable starting shot for sure, which a psychedelic music fan should not miss. As quite typical for the early years in particular, vocals are slightly distorted all the way through. And there's a decent raga flair to state due to guest player Stepan Jee on sitar and regular member Alexander Naumov while acting with the electric tampura. Finally there's something I should not forget to recommend - just take the chance to try out the samples offered on the Trail Records website, alternatively by their bandcamp page.

Russian band POLSKA RADIO ONE was formed in 2012, and from what I can understand, consists of four young musicians, ones that appear to be enthusiastic about their music. Less than three years into their career they have already released two full-length albums as well as a number of singles and EPs. "Cosmos Inside" is an extended version of their debut album "Polska Radio One" from 2013, and was released through the US label Trail Records at the start of 2014.

If you have a soft spot for psychedelic rock of the vintage sounding orientation, then Polska Radio One is a band that merits a check. As far as contextual references for progressive rock fans go, I'd suggest that those who enjoy Syd Barret-era Pink Floyd might be a likely audience for this production, alongside those with a general interest in bands from the same era exploring a somewhat more intense variety of psychedelic rock.

The style, the mood and the proposal of this album is always almost the same. The rythmic sections are quite repetitives (what could make them similar to Can, but there are many diferences between the two groups), the tunes are catchy, very good, smooth in most of its extension; also surprising once in a while. Many times sounding mantric, and/or a bit tribal. So, this repetition doesn't get annoying, it's even desirable. In an overall view, this work reminded me a bit of the hypnotic tunes of Kraftwerk's Autobahn. But it's very different anyway: doesn't sound as electronic as they do. Besides, the tones and tonalities are a bit more interesting. IMO. This opus is very immersive and relaxing. Sometimes it's a little monotonous, like on tracks 4 and 6, because on these they don't explore their instruments so much as they do on the other tracks. Anyway, most of the time you can find some interesting, intriguing musicality on the guitar, synths, drums and bass. To me, the highlight of this album is the electric tampura. What an unforgettable and unique sound it does! It's assumed by one member, that doesn't pick any other instrument(s). The other three members plays two instruments, always including keyboards. They know how to explore a good variety of tones. On other occasions, they use wisely and measuredly some loop effects, that reminds me of Gong. Even though until 5th track they don't sing, some good or great vocalizations or vocal effects are executed on all of the songs.

On this paragraph of the review, I want to analyze the one and only bonus track, entitled 'Rhymes & Harmonies'. The combination of sitar and electric tampura it presents is spectacular. The vocals repeats "I feel myself so strange" very gently, intriguing and immersive. And when they´re not singing, some amazing solos and harmonies on synths, drums, guitars and bass are made.

The album deserves a 3,8. The bonus track, 5. So, that makes a final note of 4,1.