THE LIGHTS OF A DISTANT BAY

It never ceases to amaze me at just how much great music continues to come out of Poland. This is the debut album from Moonrise, who have put out two more since this was released in 2008, yet there is just one constant, namely Kamil Konieczniak. That's because this is a one-man band, with Kamil providing all the music with Milennium singer Lukasz Gall brought in to provide lyrics and vocals. Perhaps it isn't surprising that much of this album is instrumental, what is surprising though is that this never comes across as project as it really does feel like a band. He is no mean guitarist, but it is the keyboards where he shines, with some beautifully touches, especially on piano. This is fine neo-prog, with influences from Hogarth era Marillion, IQ and Pendragon vying with the likes of Jadis and Camel to be heard.

Although for the most part the guitar sound is quite different, it is with Jadis that he has the most similarities; but that is far more to do with the arrangements and approach than the domination of any single instrument. Lukasz is renowned for having a great clear voice, and here he shows off his best Paul Menel/Gary Chandler/John Wetton stylings, providing an additional level of class to an album that is already rich with it. This is something that the listener can drift into and get a great deal from, whether it is the wonderful arrangements, the melodies, or the clarity of thinking. Poland as a country is an incredible melting pot for great music, especially for prog, and there seems to be no end of bands that need to be discovered and heard by a much greater audience. Time to add Moonrise to that ever-growing list.