ONE

Mindfields were a Polish five-piece who recorded just the one album back in 2007, and then no more. Well, that's not exactly true as drummer Tomasz Paśko (who also provided the lyrics, which are all in English) has a day job in the wonderful Milennium, while guitarist Marcin Kruczek is in Moonrise, and he and keyboard player Rafał 'Karmel' Muszyński provided the music. The line-up is completed by bassist Wojtek Famielec (later in Redemptor and Disperse) and singer Rafał Gołąbowski. So, was this ever meant to be more than a one-album project? Hard to tell this far down the track, but what they have left behind is an album that is certainly worth searching out for those who enjoy great songs, heavily influenced by the likes of Camel and Alan Parsons Project.

Like those bands, this album contains music that has plenty of space within it, and a lightness that combines with melodic, almost pop, sensibilities. Although the rhythm section has an important part to play, the ear is drawn mostly to the deftness of touch displayed by Marcin. This guy can play, really play, but this is far more than just shredding, it is all about playing exactly the right notes in the right style to create the impact. Rafał also has a wonderful touch, and this is clear when he is playing piano as opposed to keyboards. This is a multi-layered sound, music that is both timeless and ageless, and although the vocals have their part to play, and are sung in a delicate manner, I found myself happier when listening to the lengthy instrumental passages. Ideas are bounced between the two main protagonists, and when the time is right then the guitar crunches hard, but that is just to provide the counterpoint to the next delicate passage. Five proper songs, with three vignettes (one of which, 'Sunrise', is a beautiful demonstration of what is so good about acoustic classic guitars), there is a great deal depth, a wonderful world to be discovered.

This is a beautiful album in just so many ways, and now that ten years has gone past possible the time is right to do another? Please?