THE WARMEST SUN IN WINTER

Another solid album of melodic rock from a team of seasoned, gifted songwriters. My complaint is that their music is sounding less and less like prog--even Neo-prog--and more and more like A-B-A-C-A-B pop ballads. Also, while Mirek Gil's signature electric guitar sound remains, the fire and creativity of his soli are, IMHO, diminishing. If you look at his more recent output, the last two MR. GIL albums, and the last two BELIEVE albums, there are so few times that he really lets loose or hits any orgiastic moments. And yet, I must admit, I remain glued to the songs waiting, hoping--which says a lot for the allure, power and magic of this gifted musician/songwriter. While the singing of Karol Wróblewski continues to get stronger, the songs seem more and more to be vehicles for his mellifluous voice. Still, this is a grower--it gets under your skin the more you listen to it--especially and I'm thankful to be able to give a shout out for two songs in particular which satisfy my prog yearnings: "Please Go Home" (4:51) (10/10) with its wonderful, highly emotional story, lyrics, and vintage Mirek Gil guitar playing--as well as the support of violinist, Satomi--and the first 12 minutes of the two-part finale, "Heartless Land" (14: 46) (9/10).

3.5 stars rated down for being too formulaic and less prog-like.