NO ATTACHMENTS

Apres... ski

After.. have been around for almost 10 years now, but this is just their third studio album in that time. For this release, they have signed up with Poland's specialist label Metal Mind Productions, who once again put their well honed production and promotion skills to fine use. The band consists of four members whose names end in .."ski", plus guitarist Czarek Bregier, assistance on the project coming from members of the acclaimed Pineapple Thief.

The album opens in upbeat fashion with a straightforward rock/metal number "All Left Behind". There is an admirable energy to the song which is driven along by a pulsating guitar riff. Thereafter we are treated to a decent disparity of styles, including the Bowie-esque "Enchanted" the Porcupine Tree like "Summer Fuss" and the Uriah Heep style sound of "Carried by the wind". Perhaps the dominant mood though is that of the generally American indie rock bands of recent years, with hints of Post Rock thrown in for good measure.

Who it is that is the subject "The mention... " is, is not revealed, but from the starkness of the lyrics I am sure they will be all too aware themselves! Musically though, this is one the album's most dynamic songs.

Throughout the album, the band display a well justified confidence in their abilities, both in terms of song-writing and performance. The twin guitars of Brekier and Tyminski are used mainly to drive the sound rather than as solo instruments, the melodies being carried almost exclusively through the vocals of Krysiek Drogowski.

Overall, an impressive and highly enjoyable release. While the album is geared towards the mainstream, there are enough prog nuances throughout to please most prog fans.

Polish band AFTER was formed back in 2002, as something of a successor to the recently disbanded act Awake. They made their debut with "Endless Lunatic" in 2005, and since then two more studio albums and a live production have followed. "No Attachements" is their most recent studio outing, and was released by Metal Mind towards the tail end of 2011.

"No Attachements" is a production that should appeal to those who tend to enjoy art rock with a mainstream rock orientation. The main emphasis is on mood and melody; the songs are relatively short and always accessible, while gentle post rock flavoring and some smoothly contrasting arrangements cater for the main levels of sophistication. A pleasant and enjoyable disc that should appeal to a traditional rock audience just as much as to an art rock one.