TUNE

Original, beautiful and talented.

For someone like me who doesn't appreciate modern prog, the discovery in 2011 of 'Lucid Moments' was a real crush. Almost ten years have passed and I am still so enthusiastic. Tune's music still gives me goosebumps!

Yes, I know: PogArchives doesn't like to be given five stars lightly. But there, what do you want, I have no choice: "Lucid Moments" is certainly a unique piece in the history of prog. Am I exaggerating? So little !

As others have noted before me, what makes the originality of this record is the omnipresence of the Kowalski accordion. This instrument is of rather rare use in the prog, even if one could already hear it in some groups like Baccamarte, or more recently Beardfish. So why make such a big deal out of it? It's that this guy (Kowalski) is literally possessed. From the start, we hear him beating the tempo: tatata, tatata, tatata. Absolutely enjoyable. From time to time, he takes center stage like on the intro of 'Cabin Fever' but most of the time he stays behind, takes the place of the keyboards and sets the tempo. So on this album, there is no moog, no piano, no mellotron, no synth of any kind, except on the last two tracks ("Marquerade" and "Dr Freeman)".

But enough said about this accordionist because the guitarist is also very astonishing. His playing is original (listen to the intro of 'Repose'), often supported by a more than honorable bass like on 'Dimensions': a guitar / bass / accordion trio where we touch the sublime! To top it off, singer Krupski has nothing to envy to some famous voices, like Rob Sowden for example. He is very comfortable in all registers and slips us whispers, laughter, narration or howls as if nothing had happened. Finally, the mixing and the production are very correct, each instrument is perfectly distinguished. I who hate magmatic porridge, I am delighted.

Would I tire of listening to this masterpiece? Not yet.

What a disappointment! The element of TUNE's debut album that most set this band apart from all other prog bands has now disappeared from their aural landscape: I speak, of course, of the accordion. Also, whereas Tune's debut album, Lucid Moments, had such a wonderful story, going into the life of a fairly normal man going through some mental illness, undergoing psychotherapy, I do not feel as drawn into the story of this album as well. Perhaps it's more due to my lamenting the absence of my beloved accordion, but I think not, it's more. While they have maintained a lot of their wonderfully spacious, emotional soundscapes, without the accordion, Tune has become just another Polish heavy prog rock band. The album opens wonderfully with the slow-building atmospheric Post Rock instrumental, "On" (4:23), but then all things fall apart with the entrance of some techno-electro drumming in the PETER SCHILLING-like second song whose followup's title tells you what I think of this bluesy album's value to the my music collection. Other high note: the album's finale, "Off"--though it reminds me of a rehashing of something that might have been rejected from their first album. These guys are so talented! This is just a disappointment. I hope they will reconsider the direction they've chosen. More accordion! More eery, upsetting storytelling!

In early 2009 Tune were born in the city of Lodz, Poland by guitarist Adam Hajzer and bassist Leszek Swoboda.They later added Janusz Kowalski on accordion/keyboards, Wiktor Pogoda on drums and Jakub Krupski-Maria on vocals in an attempt to make fresh and original rock music.With a wide range of influences they debuted in 2011 with the self-produced CD ''Lucid moments'', recorded in Lodz and mastered by Robert Hadley in Los Angeles.It's a concept album, where the central hero Michael struggles to be happy in real world and prefers to fall into lethargy, following the painful moments, when he wakes up and has to face again the harsh reality.

Conceptwise the album is trully deep and emotional, coming in need of a strong lyrical background, which Tune achieved with the display of different moods and the clean, expressive voice of Jakub Krupski-Maria.Soundwise they are a bit far from the typical Polish bands, their sound is a hybrid of Heavy/Post Rock and intense Art Rock with no particular instrumental flexibility, based more on the impressive atmospheres and the changing lyrical moods.One thing that makes the group pretty original is the use of accordion, which comes as a great entry into their world of lyrical soundscapes.The music can be pretty heavy, minimalistic and laid-back, depending on the track following the concept, with many breaks from dynamic rhythm guitars to calm textures with the accordion in evidence.PORCUPINE TREE, compatriots RIVERSIDE and PINK FLIYD are the closest reference points, although Tune have definitely a style of their own.The result is pretty charming and highly artistic, I would just prefer a tendency towards more melodic themes throughout the process.But even without them, ''Lucid moments'' keeps a good level of musicianship, swirling around atonal guitar scratches, pounding grooves and dreamy tunes.

Lyrical, modern Art Rock with some progressive vibes.Excellent use of accordion as a first-role instrument and beautiful vocals.Recommended.

Combining the psychobabble of a mentally ill patient and his doctors with finger-tapping guitar stylings, an accordion, and a rhythm section that sounds like countrymates RIVERSIDE makes for an interesting and often beautiful ride. It is unfortunate that some of the album's best songs are rendered unplayable to the public because of the use of profanity by the psychologically challenged story 'character.' Guitarist Adam Hajzer is quite talented in his use of finger tapping techniques. The bass and drums are quite solid together, giving the music that powerful RIVERSIDE feel. The vocalist reminds me so much of BELIEVE's original lead vocalist, Tomek Rozcki. The story being told is quite interesting and entertaining if times a bit awkward because of the accented English. (Shouldn't this angry man be spouting his vitriole in his native tongue?) But my favorite part of the music--and what makes this a highly recommended album from 2011--is the brilliant incorporation of accordion. I just wish there was more!

Favorite tracks: the opener, "Dependent," (6:06) (8/10) which begins like a trip through a JOHN MARTYN or STANLEY JORDAN guitar piece, but then builds behind the brilliant accordion and dramatic bass and drums play; #4 "Lucid Moments" (6:35) (9/10) in which the accordion has some wonderful moments key and central to the music and the lead guitar shows some of his OMAR RODRIGUEZ-LOPEZ licks; #7 "Cabin Fever" (6:35) (8/10) which begins with some great sensitive accordion play before building into a powerful song with awesome guitar leads and vocal lines, albeit violent, and; the album's finale, "Dr. Freeman" (5:21) (8/10) which has some beautiful solo electric guitar work accompanying most of the song's first half in which a recorded dialogue between a psychiatrist and his patient is playing. The frenzied final ninety seconds is highlighted once again by some excellent aggressive lead guitar work in the TMV/OR-L style.

Overall quite an enjoyable listen but one that leaves me wanting so much more from the accordion!

Good four star album recommended especially to fans of RIVERSIDE, VOTUM, RETROSPECTIVE and other Polish prog rockers.