KEPZELT VAROS

Sometimes a person whose music is not really compatible with yours, can surprise you with some hidden recommendation, something that is not actually what you expect from that person. But when those surprises come, you have to receive them with your arms open wide. This happened to me with a nice friend that all of a sudden shared me the link of this band from Hungary, she said "listen to Hercules, it's beautiful" and she was right.

This young band named Képzelt Város released their first album last year (2009), along with an EP which I have not listened yet. The name of this first album is "Mit Nekem", since I don't speak Hungarian I have no idea of what it means. Fortunately, the album can be downloadable from their official website.

The first track, "Sol", is just the introduction to the album, a short two-minute song with spoken word and a soft ambient. "D2" shows since the first seconds that the music is totally post-rock oriented. The guitars first being heavy but later slowing down create a very nice atmosphere. They use also a cello, which adds a special flavor. The song gradually progresses until the point that guitars explode, the music is very emotional, great. "Papírhajo" starts with soft guitars, later drums, vocals, bass and a beautiful cello appears to help building the structure. A couple of minutes later the song again turns a bit heavier but seconds later it turns softer again, with a nice guitar riff. There is also a cello solo which sounds disarming, beautiful. This is the longest song of the album; all its changes and different passages form a strong front, a strong composition.

"Zuhanó" sounds more like an alternative song at first, even like a ballad due to those gentle vocals and the guitars. But fortunately later becomes faster, heavier and emotional, like a mix of Explosions in the Sky with Sigur Ros, odd enough. The guitars are very post- rockish, both the heavier and the softer ones. Again, that cello that may sound as background, really caught my attention. The final part of the song is powerful, exciting.

The next song entitled "Sergei6". It is a peaceful melody which starts with some guitars and a soft and delicate piano. Then drums and cello joins and create a wonderful atmosphere, where one can close your eyes and feel calm and tranquil; some seconds later the guitars become a bit heavier but the feeling is the same, to be honest, while listening to this song I have been transported to my past, some nice (and sad) memories came to me. This is a brilliant and touching song.

"White Noise" starts with charming guitar, but later turns rockier, giving the impression that their influence were clearly not only post rock bands. Anyway, that lasted a few seconds, because later those emotional heavy guitars appear again. This is a nice song, but definitely not my favorite, I would say average.

"Hércules" Oh my God, my friend was right, and since the very first time I listened to this song, I felt astonished, now I can say that this is one of my favorite post rock songs ever, my current favorite without a doubt. It starts with soft piano, later the beautiful cello joins along with drums. A minute later while you were enjoying this beautiful and soft moment, the song all of a sudden explodes with powerful guitars, but the great thing is that the beauty of the song prevails intact. Then there is another change where the song slows down and just guitars and spoken word sound, but a couple of minutes later it becomes again strong, heavy but beautiful, creating a magnificent atmosphere that can move anybody, really.

And after that flawless moment, the album finishes with "Futok" which starts with piano and delicate vocals, and actually the song is like this the first three minutes. Later it becomes heavier with a nice guitar riff, but that lasts only a brief moment, then the song just finishes. Not the best piece to end this great album, but anyway after those great moments I can take it.

To my ears this is an excellent album and highly recommendable to all the post rock fans. My final grade will be four stars.

Enjoy it!

Happily, step by step things became better. Melodic post rock, often on the border with indie-pop. Melancholic, a bit nostalgic, very characteristic Eastern European music, melted with classical post-rock sound. Songs are different, musicians play well, and possibly the best album's element is atmosphere.

There will be more songs with vocals ( in Hungarian, so I didn't understand, if the cosmonaut (not astronaut for sure) returned back from his trans galactic journey). Quite pleasant vocals, again , with melancholic tones in voice.

Not bad album for rainy summer evening sitting near fireplace. Warm, with touch of sadness. Try it - free download from band's site.

My rating - 3+.