UNBROKEN SPIRIT LIVES IN US

Maybe unbroken spirit lives in the United States too ... well, funny, this is what I read by mistake for the very first time due to the capital letters when I saw the album title ... but to make it clear, LOONYPARK is hailing from Europe, Poland, Krakow precisely. They are underway for several years now, which means this is not their debut at all. As for that you are faced with professionally composed music overall. This is an album of vinyl length, build up by polished songs - a blend of art rock and neo prog which occasionally even gets close to the popular world - similar in style to fellow countrymen from Believe, State Urge, Archangelica aso.

To draw on this firstly, when following Awakening for example I'm inclined to hear the pop band Eurythmics, where Sabina's voice intensively reminds me of Annie Lennox hereby. And in some way I can't get rid of the impression, that I've listened to one or two songs or at least sections before, just within another context. Nevertheless this is a pleasant listen really, due to the haunting melodies, excellent musicanship guaranteed. Just to mention the heart-melting title track which appears as an extended ballad here. Failed Game marks a strong opener, the intriguing groove accompanied by a memorable guitar riff moves straight into the blood. This may be suitable for kicking the people onto the dancefloor, but is able to offer even more, namely a nice melancholic piano outro. I like this song very much.

Treasure convinces me due to alternating signatures - they are toggling balladesque and straightforward rocking moments with ease. Above all I find this production a really full-scale guitar offensive delivered by Piotr Grodecki. Astonishingly enough the prog scene in Poland - similar to the Italian - is a very productive one currently. Hereby LOONYPARK are bound to develop smooth and catchy music, as for that approach and success in general this album is comparable to Believe's 'World Is Round'. If you are feeling comfortable with this, while missing some edges on the other hand, this album is a recommendation for sure - 3.5 stars.