Tune - Lucid Moments


Tune
Lucid Moments
(own release)

Tune was founded in 2009 in the Polish city Lodz by Leszek Swoboda (bass, vocals) and Adam Hajzer (guitar). The music and songtexts breathe a melodramatic progressive atmosphere, in which the use of the accordion for the keyboardparts makes the music of this Polish pentad unique for the progressive rock scene. The result is a brilliant album, that seems to define progressive rock again. Okay, when you start analyze the music for sure you will find references, but concerning orginality Lucid Moments is an album, which I haven’t heart in our beloved style for quite awhile. Specially the use of the accordion gives their sound something elusive. Did past Polish bands look for their sound and references to bands of the seventies, remember Quidam, Collage and Satellite which find their inspiration in the music of Genesis, or Abraxas and Lizard which are influenced by UK, Tune seems to have developed themselves without the influence of big or small names in the progressive scene. The main part of their sound is based on dramatic stylistic art rock, in which the frivolous accent of the accordion, played by Janusz Kowalski, delivers their characteristic sound. Even vocalist Jakub Krupski can’t solve the negative spiral. His sometimes dark but also frivolous and open vocal sound, a mixture of John Wetton, Kurt Cobane and Ray Wilson, and strong pronunciation create a strong counter-weight against the accordion. This unique combination of instruments and vocals, yes I can not mention it enough, turns the album into a joyful listening experience. In every song Tune displays their skills, which is especially striking with a dosed presentation, and they don’t shun, like in the titletrack, to weave the acoustic guitar sounds through the electronic ones. When we do want to compare Tune with a band it’s like they are the Rammstein of the progressive rock scene, because they are the stranger in our midst. It is a series of highlights, where each song in one way or the other stands out towards the other. A wonderful guitar solo in the instrumental Dimensions, the rousing accordion in Lucid Moments, Cabin Fever, which is also characterized by great guitar work, the dark singing in starter Depended Masquerade, the only number which warrants a reference to King Crimson. Lucid Moments is a wonderful debut album that sounds mature and well considered. Using the accordion tune has created a unique sound, though of course we have to see if we still praise them for using this instrument after a few albums. For now I can only conclude that it has worked out very well and yields a beautiful album.

Tracklist

Dependent
Repose
Confused
Lucid Moments
MIP
Dimensions
Cabin Fever
Masquerade
Dr Freeman

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