QUIDAM

3.5 stars.This is an excellent debut from QUIDAM. They even get help from another Polish band called COLLAGE as Mirek Gil adds his guitar to one track, and the drummer from COLLAGE co-produced it. The vocals are ably performed by Emila who also adds some flute and cello.Talented lady. I must say though that the Polish language isn't the easiest on the ears.

"Sanktuarium" opens with some killer organ before the guitar comes in beautifully. Love that part. A calm arrives as we get gentle vocals from Emila. Check out the guest aboe 2 1/2 minutes in. It comes back later. A fuller sound 3 minutes in as Emila sings passionately. More aboe 4 1/2 minutes in then cello followed by flute. This is so gorgeous. Cello returns and check out the incredible sounding guitar solo 6 1/2 minutes in. So tasteful. Passionate vocals and a full sound to end it. Amazing track.

"Chocbym" is pleasant to begin with and then we get a scorching guitar solo a minute in from Mirek Gil. Vocals and a calm 1 1/2 minutes in. She sounds so good. The guitar soars 2 1/2 minutes in with waves of synths.The guitar is soaring again 4 1/2 minutes in. Check out the vocal melodies after 5 minutes that go on and on. These first two songs are worth the purchase of this album alone.

"Bajkowy" opens with flute that is followed by vocals. Piano 2 minutes in. Not a fan of the first 2 1/2 minutes, but then the bass, drums and guitar come in sounding great.

"Gleboka Rzeka" opens with synths and flute.The tempo picks up 2 minutes in with some pleasant guitar. Some fat bass follows. Vocals before 3 1/2 minutes. Piano 5 minutes in.

"Nocne Widziadia" doesn't do a lot for me until a calm arrives 3 1/2 minutes in with synths and flute. Nice atmosphere here. Vocal melodies before 5 minutes. Guitar ends the song.

"Niespetnienie" opens with lots of atmosphere as waves of sound drift along. Soaring guitar 2 1/2 minutes in. Emotional. The tempo picks up before 4 minutes then vocals arrive.Tasteful guitar 7 1/2 minutes in with some deep bass 9 minutes in. Great track.

"Warkocze" features more guest aboe before fragile vocals and piano arrive. A fuller sound before 2 minutes.The contrast continues. Nice guitar 3 1/2 minutes in with flute to end it.

"Bijace Serca" is a short track with cello, synths and piano leading the way.

"Plone" opens with piano and flute for 1 1/2 minutes. A full sound comes in with guitar. Vocals 2 1/2 minutes in with some nice bass lines. Guitar 5 minutes in is great. Some heaviness 7 minutes in,love the synths. Deep bass lines 9 minutes in with more of this later in this 14 minute closer.

An enjoyable debut that has it's hits and misses for me. The first two tracks and the final one are my favourites.Tough not to give this 4 stars but honestly the vocals and synths on several songs don't do a lot for me. I like half this album a lot the other half is so so.