IRON CURTAIN

With my first SBB experience, I can honestly say I'm pleased. This album blends jazz and rock music with the symphonic aspects I love. The electric guitar and synthesizer form the mainstay of this record, kneaded over a solid rhythm section, and peppered with okay vocals from time to time. Strangely, however, the most phenomenal piece is relegated as one of two bonus tracks and distributed in the main body of the track listing, so with that in mind, I would entreat those who have their eyes on this album to obtain the limited edition if at all possible.

"Iron Curtain" The album begins with sounds indicative of oppression, but soon the band generates a more gentle tone with piano, easygoing drums and strange vocalizations that carry on throughout the track. A lead guitar fills in toward the end, while a delicate piano finishes it up.

"Defilada" Following the ominous sound of marching, an even more ominous organ enters. The way the vocals crying out beside the subtle lead guitar work, this could make for part of a soundtrack to a movie.

"Camelele" Soft waves of mellow jazz from velvety guitars, both clean and dirty make up this agreeable but somewhat unremarkable track. The second time around after the humble vocals, there's a lovely piano bit.

"Aleatoryka" An almost exotic blend of guitars, percussion, and synthesizer begins the first of two bonus tracks. This darkly, almost haunting piece doesn't back down, and might appeal to King Crimson fans (particularly those who enjoy Larks' Tongues in Aspic). An eerie harp creates a postlude at the end as the synthesizer lead returns to play the main theme once more.

"Rozmowa z Mistrzem" This song maintains an R&B feel throughout, with a laidback rhythm and a smoky lead vocal. A synthesizer lead fills out the sound.

"Opowieść" After a light introduction, some vocalizations begin, soon giving way to decent lead guitar. Otherwise, this piece is fairly unexceptional.

"Błogosławione dni" Gritty bass, crunchy guitar, pleasant drumming and subtle keyboards all work together to create a sound that isn't heavy at all. The instrumentation and percussion keep an otherwise dull composition fresh.

"Nieśmiertelność" A slightly heavy, straightforward rocker, this has a Blue Oyster Cult feel to it. This is a guitar-led track that might find favor with those who enjoy basic rock music.

"Sunrise" A synthesizer pad, lead guitar, and a bit of drumming give way to perhaps the second best piece on the album. Right from the outset, there's a memorable melodic theme to greet the listener several times.

"Góry tańczące" A pleasant song that floats somewhere in the realm of jazz, rock, and easy listening without being any of them, this one has a latter-day Van der Graaf Generator style to it (Trisector immediately comes to mind).

"Dopóki żyje matka jesteś dzieckiem" The twilight piece rides into the sunset with a flavorful Latin groove, with a sweet keyboard and guitar tangoing in the background.