MUSICA DEPOSITA

CUPRUM are a new band out of the Czech Republic. Vocals are in their own native language and while they are okay they aren't exactly a plus for me.

"Manyrista" is a catchy and dynamic track with vocals. Some nice organ 1 1/2 minutes in when the vocals stop. Piano follows then guitar, then flute as each seems to get a chance in the spotlight. Vocals are back later. "Opice V Kremu" has vocals, organ and drums standing out early. Flute before 1 1/2 minutes followed by a guitar solo. Vocal melodies a minute later. Vocals are back late. "Ocelot" is a short but good instrumental with prominant organ. "Mors Principum Est" opens with acoustic guitar as bass, organ and drums join in. Reserved vocals after a minute. Vocal melodies after 3 1/2 minutes then the organ leads. Vocals are back before 5 1/2 minutes followed by the guitar. "Nautilus" is a short piece with atmosphere and floating organ.

"Labe 02 (Frag. III)" opens with acoustic guitar then it kicks in around a minute with guitar out front. It settles back as the organ floats in the background. The guitar after 4 minutes cries out. It's building. "Lenokracie" is upbeat with vocals. A calm with piano, bass and drums 2 minutes in then it kicks back in after 3 1/2 minutes. "Kolik Das" is fairly heavy with vocals. Nice organ before 2 minutes and i like the guitar late to end it as well. "Dubcek Funky" is fun as he rhymes the lines like a rhymer not a nickel and dimer. We get a drum solo around 4 minutes. "Zdi Narku" is drum led and uptempo. Flute to the fore 2 minutes in and guitar a minute later. It blends into "Exploze". Guitar and flute trade off 1 1/2 minutes in then the organ returns with some heaviness. The guitar is back before 3 1/2 minutes then organ.

A good album but nothing more in my world.

Cuprum were found in Praha in 2007 as a sextet, consisting of Richard Malat (vocals, flute), Vladimir Posvic (vocals, acoustic guitar), Jan Drchal (electric guitar), Stepan Vodenka (keyboards), Tomas Skrivanek (bass) and Jan Jezek (drums).Their first work was a 3-track EP and by the summer of 2010 they decided to enter the V studio in Zlin and record their first full-length debut.As Tomas Skrivanek left the band at this point, the sessions were completed in March 2011 with newcomer Jaromir Hynek, while Jan Bicovsky helped the band in some acoustic parts.The album was independently released under the title ''Musica deposita''.

Cuprum are big fans of old-styled Retro Rock and this is supported by the fact they used only analog keyboards and recorded their debut in an analog 24-track tape recorder.They remind me of some old Czech legends of the past like SYNKOPY, having a fiery sound based on guitars, flutes and Hammond organ, while there are also some nice electric piano parts to be found in here.The music is powerful, exetremely energetic with high dynamics, exploring the grounds of vintage Heavy Prog and Psychedelic Rock with a few folky vibes and Fusion tunes added for good measure.The smoky flute parts are reminiscent of JETHRO TULL and the album is dominated by the interesting guitar work of Drchal as well as the naughty organ runs of Vodenka.Be sure to face mostly some rhythmic and fast music in this album, deeply rooted in a nostalgic rock enviroment, but thanks to Vodenka and Malat the instrumental battles are not absent either with plenty of quirky moves throughout.Vocals are all provided in Czech, which make the album even more irritating, and there are still some calmer moments with a lyrical atmosphere, fronted by acoustic guitars and mellow keyboards.

Old-fashioned Heavy/Psych Prog with an impressive level of energy and well-crafted, pleasant tracks all the way.You are a fan of the 70's, you should track down this album at once.Recommended.