POD NIEBEM CZAS / THE TIME BENEATH THE SKY

Quidam´s third effort - and, unfortunately, the last one with Emila Derkowska on vocals - totally redeems the lacklustre affair that was Angel´s Dreams. While the latter was uninspired, boring and commercial, this one returns with all the mighty sound that impressed us all when the band released their first CD. Ok, they´re maybe a little more accessible now, but the music is definitely progressive, haunting and amazingly beautiful, with symphonic, neo, polish folk and eastern music influences. Emila is singing better than ever and the band reached its instrumental peak at this point. I bought the polish lyrics version and it sounds great.

Of course the main attraction in this CD is the group´s version of Led Zepellin´s No Quarter. I agree with the other reviewers that say it sounds like Pink Floyd doing Zep, and that the song is really more a reinvention then a cover, giving it a whole new approach, while still maintaining the original spirit. Nevertheless, the remaining, self penned songs, are all very good and varied, making The Time Beneath The Sky the most consistent album Quidam´s released so far. It´s a pleasure to hear it form beginning to end with its many moods and changes, and, of course, tinged with Emila´s emotional and unique interpretation. If the lyrics are lame or bad, her vocal make them sound like heaven.

So, overall this is a must have for anyone who likes good music in general, not only prog lovers. Highly recommended.