FSB II

1979's second album saw the band dispensing with the extra musicians and doing it all themselves as they all added a bit in the way of drums and percussion. This starts off very dreamily with seagulls adding to the atmosphere, and "Wake Up" is full of long held-down chords and gentle emotion, a very delicate and enjoyable instrumental that leads into the album. But they can strengthen it when they want to, and the bass line drives it on when necessary although they don't ever really rock out. There are times when they sound as if they have been paying attention to some of the instrumental work of Saga, which certainly makes it interesting.

Originally appeared in Feedback #84, July 2005

'FSB II' is the follow-up to what is arguably Bulgaria's most important and successful rock band's peculiar debut, consisting entirely of covers of prog bands. This time the album consists of original material only and is severely better than its predecessor. Once again, the sound is focused around the two keyboardists ' Rumen Boyadzhiev and Konstantin Tsekov, and the interplay between the two whose chemistry is also improved. Moreover, bassist Aleksandar Baharov is on top of his game, too. Their Gentle Giant-influenced early sound is very well articulated on this record, as one can hear the funky instrumental compositions, bits of prog and soul are also not absent. As with their previous album, this one is mostly instrumental with a few vocal songs.

A good balance between the groovier funky sound I already mentioned, a jazzy inclination on a few tracks, and their signature double-keyboard prog rock all give this album a versatility that not many Bulgarian bands ever achieved. The album is quite enjoyable and an easy listen, I have to say, clocking in at circa 33 minutes. 'FSB II' is without a doubt a very good album from a band that never achieved significant success outside their homeland, and also my all-time favorite from them!