SENKI MADARA

We had to wait eight years for the 3rd Yesterdays album, now the group is back with their new album "Senki Madara." There were some member changes but the most important is the arrival of the new singer Stephanie Semeniuc. Such a magnificent voice! Her voice reminds me of the first lead singer of Quidam, and I really like that she sings in Hungarian!

Yesterdays' music is heavily inspired from the 70's, expect some Yes, Jethro Tull, Camel and even After Crying & Nexus influences here. Nexus is a good reference especially for the keyboard sounds (synths & Mellotrons). Although you can clearly name all the influences, be sure that this music is very original and fresh.

The music is well crafted symphonic prog that is mixed with ancient traditional Hungarian folk. I have enjoyed every moment because the songs are divine and airy... so nothing heavy here. The album opens with 'Agrol-Agra' intro on drums, Moog & Mellotron flute and a bass to Chris SQUIRE. Such a nice song to open an album with! 'Rejtsetek el' short but effective ... acoustic guitar in 5/8, flute, the Cello and when the chorus kicks in... Yes mixed with After Crying! Amazing! Another highlight is with 'Elmehetsz'. Intro with 12 string guitar and steel (it couldn't been done better by Steve Howe) with piano, Mellotron and a short time there's a musical quote: 'Soon' by Yes. The song 'Ne mondd el' is in a darker atmosphere and at 2'20'' we fall into the universe Lizard period King Crimson. For this song they've invited Szirtes Edina Mokus who does a fantastic job... haunting voice! I've hear Edina's voice on the latter SOLARIS releases. A little jazzy style 'Szomju madarak' starts with flute, Moog, fretless bass, acoustic guitar. Another excellent piece! I could list you all the titles here, but be sure they are all very good. And as you can see the overall ambience revolves around the 70's with the Mellotron, Moog, flute etc... symphonic music and a beautiful complexity while being melodic in the same time.

The voices are all beautiful, and as I said the lyrics are in beautiful Hungarian, it sounds amazing to my Polish ears. I recommend this album to all symphonic prog lovers and especially for those who are fed up with today's neo-prog movement, where almost every band sounds the same. Let's get thrown back to the seventies.

I need to mention the tasty, beautiful CD cover and the artistic black and white inside booklet. Very well thought concept, it fits the concept perfectly. Ila Ildiko's painting symbolizes the fragile Hungarian past, the bird motif represents the Hungarian songs and there are 3 feathers... as it's the third Yesterdays album! Just beautiful!

In summary, 'Senki madara' is a very beautiful return for this Hungarian band. Yesterdays fully deserves to be discovered with this new album! Warmly recommended!