ADVENTURES OF MANDORIUS (THE BIRD)

Aside from The Lens, I don't think many people have explored the possibilities of all- instrumental neo-prog, which is why I find this delightful collection by Tale of Diffusion so enchanting. Evoking a diverse range of atmospheres from the whimsical to the spooky, the album features fine production and excellent performances, the compositions throw in a few nods to prog greats of the past but for the most part have a very individual sound. The contributions of guest keyboardists Pawel and Michal Marciniak and trumpeter Szymon Żmudzinski adds a sort of late-era Talk Talk texture to proceedings which is especially interesting. On the whole, a tale worth listening to.

TALE OF DIFFUSION are a four piece band out of Poland and so far this 2009 recording is their only studio album. An instrumental concept album about Mandorius(The Bird) and this is one of many concept albums I own that are about a bird. We get just under an hour of music and I have to be honest I never thought of that bird except when that brief narration arrives on the third track then it's "Oh yeah this is about a bird." This is just really good melodic music with plenty of guitars, excellent drumming and we get two guest keyboardists helping out along with a trumpet player. Both keyboardists also add guitar which is interesting as the four piece consists of two guitarists already along with bass and drums.

Man this does not sound like Neo Prog to my ears, maybe Crossover, not that it matters I like this record and am just glad it's on the site here. There are several times I'm thinking "Discipline" era KING CRIMSON, sometimes Jazz and that third track with the brief narration could be off a movie soundtrack and so much atmosphere on this one with the spacey synths. Interesting that when the song starts to move and speed up I'm thinking Neo prog for the only time and it settles back quickly.

How about "Melody Man" a 17 1/2 minute track that takes us all over the place. Love the powerful and intense sounds late. This is a band who changes it up enough to make this all very interesting like the electronics on this one. Love the guitar on "Mandorius" as it cries out over and over. That last track "Rebird" is so good with those piano led uplifting moments to the trippy bass driven sections. Guitar solo around 3 1/2 minutes and a better one to end it.

A very well done instrumental album easily worth the 4 stars.