44 MINUTES

Millenium is a staple of the neo-prog genre, consistently churning out brilliant melodic rock year after year, closing in on 2 decade's worth (one of the few neo-prog bands whose ENTIRE back catalog is worth seeking out). The release of 44 Minutes is notable for an additional reason however, the last with long-time lead vocalist Łukasz Gałęziowsk. He's been amazing throughout, a pure talent, very sad to see him go. That said, the band shows zero sign of slowing down as they've quickly recruited new singer Mirek Smelkowski but for now, focus should be on the majesty that is this swan song release with Gałęziowsk on the mic.

In further proof that Millenium can do no wrong musically, this release additionally features the debut of new band member Dariusz Rybka on saxophone and does he ever deliver the goods! His work is liberally featured throughout the songs and all I can say after listening to this release many times is...more please. There is not a throwaway track to be found here, just excellent melodic prog from the first note to the last. This is beyond 5-star essential status if you truly love neo-prog as I do. Trust me it's not just a sax-prog album, all the lush guitar and synth barrages you crave are all here. It's still very much a classic Millenium release, albeit perhaps a bit more emotional and slightly downbeat, something I attribute to the mood of the band given the then-pending departure of Gałęziowsk. Neo-proggers will not be disappointed.

Polish group Millenium are back with their twelfth studio album, and I think I've been fortunate enough to have reviewed eleven of them, with just the 1999 debut missing. At the time of their last release, 2014's 'In Search Of The Perfect Melody', they were moving from drummer Tomasz Paśko to Grzegorz Bauer, who is now a full-time member of the band. Also, saxophonist Dariusz Rybka who appeared as a guest on that album is also now a full member as the band have become a six-piece. They should actually have gone the whole hog and added one more as guest singer Karolina Leszko again had a major role to play, even taking some lead vocals as well as duetting with Łukasz "Gall" Gałęziowsk. Łukasz has of course been there since the very beginning, as has band leader Ryszard Kramarski who provides keyboards and acoustic guitar. The line-up is completed with Piotr Płonka (guitars) and Krzysztof Wyrwa (bass, Warr guitar).

It perhaps isn't surprising that a band which has been around as long as these guys, and has released so many albums, is packed full of confidence which really comes through in their music. They have long been one of my favourite Polish bands, and with this album they have turned up the quality just that little bit more. Łukasz has always been a great singer, while Ryszard knows what to write to get the best out of everyone, but here there has been quite a dramatic shift. Karolina has a wonderful voice, providing great harmonies or additional leads, while Dariusz definitely adds to the melodic sound of the band with some great sax. However, it isn't there all the time, but brought in at the right times, which means that it is always delivered with real impact.

There is quite a Floydian feel to some of this, and there is also a real affinity with Damanek. To my ears this is the highlight of their career to date, an album which is packed full of quality and wonderful music. Simply superb.

"44 Minutes" from 2017 is the twelfth studio album by Polish neo-prog band Millenium and there is something rather special about this album. In Ending Titles, the bonus track added to the CD release of the album, singer Lukasz Gall says goodbye to the band and its fans after 18 years of loyal service. A year later a new vocalist is presented and the very next year Gall is back to the old nest. In any case, this has a melancholic effect on the album.

On "44 Minutes" Millenium presents itself as a six-piece, which means that saxophonist Dariusz Rybka and drummer Grzegorz Bauer have been promoted from guest musician to permanent band member. Together with keyboardist Ryszard Kramarski, guitarist Piotr Płonka, bassist Krzysztof Wyrwa and the aforementioned Gall, they are responsible for that flawless band sound. In that respect, do not rule out the contributions of guest singer Karolina Leszko. Her voice blends beautifully with Galls and occasionally throws in some lead vocals as well. So she really does a bit more than just some ooo's and aaa's in this Pink Floyd-tinted music. Enough about all those tongue twisting names, on to the songs.

The somewhat timid The Colors Of My Life sets the album in motion, or rather: the sparkling guitar at the end of the song does. After that all bets are off and we are constantly immersed in the bath called Millenium. Songs like Liferunner and Are We Lost? are not only melodic and full of harmony but also nice and rhythmic and rich in atmosphere with beautiful instrumentations. The album also has two almost instrumental songs. In both Calling! as well as Lost Teddy Bear there are some vocalizations. Both songs are compositionally sublime as each passage is smoothly followed by the next. The keyboard parts in Calling! are unmistakably done by Kramarski and the guitar theme in Lost Teddy Bear is also characteristic for Millenium. That full guitar sound of Płonka is delicious by the way and is just like on most of the band's albums abundantly present. Millenium always comes up with some longer tracks. For example, My Father Always Said and the title track both clock above eight minutes which is not a second too much. Millenium always knows how to dose perfectly and never comes up with an unnecessary note. A good example of this is Rybka's saxophone playing. He could easily play a lot of runs, instead he plays neatly in the service of the music.

"44 Minutes" is a controlled, somewhat well-behaved album, but it is Millennium all over again. For 44 minutes all is fine and dandy until the bonus track arrives. I would like to add that the solos at the end sound like Kramarski and Płonka have given a musical thank you to the departing Gall. In any case, that would be extremely justified. How great must have been the joy when Gall returned two years later?

Orginally posted on www.progenrock.com