ONE

Excellent debut by this new band from Polland. Their sound is basicly classic symphonic sound of the 70´s with some wonderful retro keuboards with many elements found iin other neo prog groups (like dramatic and convincing vocals and emotional and melodic guitars solos). Mindfields shows they are not only terrific musicians, but also quite mature songwriters. Even if the CD is a bit too short for my taste, what they deliver is pure gold (probably with the exception of the last track, which is good, but could be better).

One consists of five ´proper´ songs, plues 3 small acoustic tracks that work as interludes linking one theme with the other. Production here is top notch and the mixing is very good. Musically they sound like no one else really, and still they belong from a tradition of other great polish prog bands: you can hear echoes of Collage, Satellite and Quidam, as well as hints from classic bands like Yes, Genesis, Marillion and, specially, Pink Floyd. There are also some more modern influences here and there, like the almost progmetal riffs of Learning To Live. The arrangements are tasteful, the playing is solid.

My personal favorite is the powerful Nobody´s Dream: great slow start with grand piano and vocals that builds up through its 11 minutes until it explodes with one of the most beautiful and moving guitar solos I´ve ever heard in a long, long time. This song alone is worth the price of the CD. Fortunaltly there is a lot more. The opener In This Life is another terrific epic that wil please both symphonic and neo prog lovers. The only fault I can find in this entire CD is the fact that, at 49 minutes, it ends too fast. I just can´t have enough of it.

Conclusion: one of the best debut albums I heard from any band, past of present. Very strong stuff that promises a great future for these polish guys. Final rating: 4,5 stars.

Highly recommended! .