FRAMAURO

1. "Like Father Like Son (Part 1 Father / Part 2 Son)" (7:48) a blues-rocker that, in my opinion, has more in common with classic rock bands like THE ROLLING STONES, TOM PETTY and the HEARTBREAKERS, JACKSON BROWN, DIRE STRAITS, SNIFF 'N' THE TEARS, and BONNIE RAIT and than prog. A good classic blues rock song. (13/15)

2. "My Beloved Songs (Records from My Shelf Part 2") (5:50) a slow, blues-guitar-driven song that reminds me of something from CORVUS STONE/COLIN TENCH. (8.6667/10)

3. "Dogs & Cats" (9:00) all the standard late-1970s prog/classic rock instruments are present (even a keyboard- generated bass). A bit of a lame subject matter--especially for prog. (17.25/20)

4. "Painter of Our Souls" (8:25) despite nothavoing the right voice, this one plays almost exactly like a PETER NICHOLLS-led IQ song (with some PINK FLOYD bombast in the chorus). (17.25/20)

5. "Lost in Music" (5:40) pretty piano opening precedes a CAMEL-esque set up and sound. This is Ryszard's ode to his beloved muse, Music. Nice job--with some nice quirk in the fourth minute. (8.75/10)

6. "Alea Iacta Est (The Die Is Cast)" (9:01) despite the "classical" piano opening, this is a blues rocker that reminds me a lot of both ROYE ALBRIGHTON (NEKTAR)'s 21st Century musical production and ELOY's releases from the late 1970s and early 1980s. (17.25/20)

Total Time 45:44

Bluesy prog rock that reminds me of the German Prog/Pop scene in the second half of the 1970s--the blues-rock Pink Floyd imitators like The Eloy, Anyone's Daughter, and even Nektar (and, later, IQ). This may be a collaborative product but it sounds very much like a one-man show.

B-/3.5 stars; a nice addition to any prog lover's music collection--especially if you like the bluesier side of prog.

Without being innovative and without worrying about not presenting us with intricate music, this band has given us a very "regular" album - in the best sense of the word, since there is no bad song (without saying that it is a masterpiece) - in addition of being very melodic and charismatic; always with the guitar and the voice as protagonists. Thus demonstrating the more accessible side of progressive music.

As expected, Framauro's sound has plenty of similarities with Millenium's early works, while there are also references to the music of COLLAGE and ABRAXAS.However Framauro's style was less developed, less symphonic and more guitar-driven than any of COLLAGE's or ABRAXAS' albums, while the modern approach found in the later Millenium releases is also absent.On the other hand the compositions remain fairly interesting within the 90's Polish Prog sound with changes between crunchy passages and more emotional guitar solos.Additionally there are some great lyrical moments to be found in ''Etermedia'' with a deep intensity along with short piano interludes and very atmospheric, laid-back synthesizers.Kramarski's talent in composition can be also traced in the nice symphonic/orchestral themes contained in a few tracks as well as in the careful acoustic breaks here and there.

Shortly after the release of ''Etermedia'' Kramarski, encouraged by his friends, upgraded this project to a full-time band.Along with Tomasz Pabian he collaborated with drummer Tomasz Paśko, bassist Piotr Mazurkiewicz and singer Lukasz GaLęziowski to form a regular group, while during the recordings of the new album he changed the name of the group to Millenium.

''Etermedia'' contains all the great elements, characterizing the unique sound of Polish Neo/Symphonic Progressive Rock, and the album leaves a positive taste at the end, despite having a more raw sound compared to the Polish scene's legendary names.Recommended.

One of my fave is "Poznac Siebie". It features the most beautiful symphonic musical passages from this album. Very powerful as well. "Basniowe Alternatywy" is also very pleasant. Gorgeous keyboards; a fantastic and wild guitar break during the second part : absolutely magic. This number is harder than average and takes its distances for the symph style.

"Nakarmieni Masmediami" sounds a bit weak after this. Most of the time, it is acoustic with some marimba in the background. The voice is particularly annoying. Several short but violent breaks will bring some vitality (believe me) in this number. Rather bizarre I must say.

Let's consider the short "Etna" as a transition track and here we go for "Zatrzymac Czas". Nice composition with a very emotional crescendo tempo at the end. "TV Show" is almost hard-rocking : great rhythm and very strong guitar. Again, Framauro are closer from prog-metal than from symph here. But I do not dislike it. A bit unexpected, that's all.

Another highlight of this album is "Prasowe Papugi". Fully symphonic this time, it has lots of flavour of Italian symphonic music : melodic, emotional and passionate. While "Enter" is again almost hard-rocking. Framauro is really hesitating about their musical genre. But it does not really matter since they are really good in both styles. Still, it is rather difficult to categorize them. The closing number is truely subtle and very pleasant. A nice final touch.

This band proposes an interesting music, not brilliant but good and creative enough for you to discover "Etermedia". It is fully in-line with the great Polish tradition of good prog bands. Seven out of ten, but I will downgrade it to three stars.