ILUZJON

This 2009 release was the third from Polish band Iluzjon, and saw them with a four-man line-up for the first time. Grzegorz Nowak (drums) and Michal Dziadosz (keyboards/vocals) had been joined for the second album by guitarist Slawomir Jaros after the departure of bassist/guitarist Paul Sierakowski, by now they had brought on board March Drumew (bass/stick). The addition of Marcin enabled the band to move more fully into the King Crimson style of prog that they were experimenting with on the debut, as his presence certainly adds some fluidity and presence to the overall sound. The vocals are clear, and there is plenty of space within the music for everyone to play their part, so even though Michal can be singing sweetly against his gentle held-down chords, the other three can be playing all around and over the theme. That they are all good musicians is never in doubt, but the songs themselves aren't always as powerful and intense as they could be, although they do have their moments. The result is an album that is both enjoyable and disposable at the same time. I just wish that they had allowed themselves to push the music to the edge, as there are too many times when it is just too pleasant, too restrained. It is interesting music to play in the background, but for me that it is all that it will ever be.

I know that I have said this many times, but there is some wonderful music coming out of Poland, and this is yet another band that I have discovered due to my great friend Artur Chachlowski. All of the lyrics are in English, and these have been reproduced in English, but unfortunately their site is only available in Polish so I don't have a great deal to go on. At the time of recording they were a trio, but since then they have lost their guitarist/bassist (bit careless), so instead of a photo of him on the site there is instead a large '?'. That all being put to one side, what we have here is very accessible, very enjoyable prog music. They are obviously hugely influenced by Pendragon, combined with a love of the gentler side of King Crimson and have melded these together in an album that is both light and layered. "If" is a wonderfully controlled ballad with a Floyd-like feel with good vocals and Crimson-style powerful guitar, but even although there is the feeling that the band have the ability to blast it out they are much happier at the softer end of the spectrum.

Originally appeared in Feedback #86, Feb 2006