SAFE

"Safe" is a fine if indeed rather safe neo-prog album from this highly competent Polish band. The band tend to wear their influences on their sleeves, with lots of Marillion sounds (the guitar of Steve Rothery, the vocals of Fish), and a good smattering of Genesis.

Right from the "Watcher of the skies" like opening bars, there is little doubt that this album will be like a James Bond film; largely predictable, but thoroughly enjoyable. Keyboards and lead guitar dominate the album, along with the ubiquitous vocals.

There are several epic tracks, the longest being the 10 minute "Eight kisses" which would have sounded very much at home on Pendragon's "Masquerade overture". The keyboards and the guitar solo on this track are particularly appealing, the track being notably more inventive than the rest.

There are some weaker moments, such as the ill advised vocal style on the brief "Ages Of The Mind 1", the over repetitious "This time" and the average pop rock of "Stranded". If I have any misgivings about the band, they are more to do with the quality of the song writing rather than the performance. Some of the songs here are well developed but are based on the shifting ground of a mediocre composition, and thus do not stand up well. This however is to a large extent compensated for by the pleasing atmosphere of the music, and the competent performances.

Ironically, the best song on the release I have is a "bonusc" (sic) track called "The winner takes it all" (not the Abba song!). This nine minute epic take the running time of the album up to 80 minutes. Here we have a slice of symphonic prog with a wonderfully atmospheric instrumental section, the guitar work moving between the sounds of Hackett and Rothery. Had the whole album had the drama and excitement of this piece, we could have been looking at a five star masterpiece. The biggest puzzle is, why was this track not included on the original release? This is one of those albums which gets better as it goes on, the tracks towards the end of the album being notable superior to those at the start. Compositionally, some (but by no means all) of the songs are weak, There is however plenty of the symphonic keyboards and distinctive guitar which characterises so many neo-prog albums. Those who appreciate the music of bands such as Pallas and Arena will find much to enjoy here.

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