The Blues (Collage, 1994)

I do think "Moonshine" is a neo-prog masterpiece and you'll find more than one song from this album in my blog. Collage were at their best during the composition and recording process of this work. Some of the songs are no doubt prog pearls and "The Blues" certainly is. Its rich, flushing texture and its excellent melodies are there to please the prog ears. I also like all those tempo and volume changes, ranging between a sparkling and lively rock and atmospheric, graceful passages.

The 20th anniversary of "Moonshine"... a good reason to celebrate!

 

Robert Amirian's voice is simply perfect, so full of energy and also sensible and delicate when it comes to that. And at minute 4:20 begins what is likely to be my favourite moment: a sudden stop, then a long and enthralling instrumental passage, including some keen guitar / keyboard interplays and solos. A treat, if you ask me. Well, that's enough with descriptions: listen to it, then let me know what you think of it.

Moonshine (Collage, 1994)

"Moonshine" is the title track of Collage's work released in 1994 and it's also a very good way to discover why this Polish band is so higly rated by many prog fans. This track is extremely dynamic, driven by aerial keyboard effects and a crystal wall of sound. But you'll also find some quiet and atmospheric passages, announcing the subsequent rushes and rythmic progressions. The main melodies are well found, catchy but never trivial, and the instrumental passages aren't mere bridges between two verses, as they disassemble and reassemble each theme, magnifying the symphonic pattern of the song.

Collage played a lead role in the '90s Polish prog renaissance.

That's why I like each second of these 12:30 minutes of progressive rock, and I often come back to this song. The fact is that such a magniloquent clockwork never sounds artificial or redondant and the music flows naturally from the band to the very heart of the listener. Probably it's only me, but I see bright stars in the sky at midday when "Moonshine" is there.

Rozmowa (Collage, 1990)

This song comes from Collage's first album, titled "Basnie", meaning "Fairytales", that's saying something! Please note that a previous version of this song (1986) was also released in the "Changes" compilation. Sure, "Basnie" production was a little disappointing and there were also some lack in the musical coherence of the longer songs, but the band's potential was great and clear. This "Rozmowa" (the word for it in English is "Conversation") is a splendid example of their bright and variated progressive rock. Keyboards and guitars are in the foreground, of course, but all the band's skills contribute to the track.

 

Collage finally re-united in 2013 and planned a series of shows.

The changing rythm and the clever arrangement are winning points for a song whose main feature is the compact and cohesive architecture, where instrumental and sung sections follow one another in a whirling but never messy pattern. I even like the spoken effects in the background, something I usiually don't appreciate so much. An excellent closing song for a debut album announcing so many good things to come.

Jeszcze jeden dzień (Collage, 1990)

There's a long debate among prog rock fans about this theme: can a good prog song be done lasting less than 5 minutes? I think Collage provided a very good and positive reply to this in their debut album "Basnie" with the song I'm introducing here, "Jeszcze jeden dzien" ("One More Day" in English). It's an energetic and compact opening track, including all the quintessential neo.prog features: splendid keys, wall of sound, catchy melody, good vocals, instrumental bridges, enthralling riffs and so on. Plus, no prolixity.

I recommend the 2003 remastered edition of "Basnie".

The musical ideas are well developed without any pointless loss of time, just the essential in the right place and time. You feel the joy of building up a song and performing it, you're dragged inside the band's mood and you don't need any further trwirls: the song is complete and perfectly done. This fast tempo track will always be one of my favourite Polish prog songs ever.

In Your Eyes (Collage, 1994)

This track, actually a 14 minute suite, comes from "Moonshine", generally considered as the masterpiece of the polish band Collage. It's an epic, neo-prog song with a very good balance between keyboards and guitars, reminiscent of course of Marillion's first albums but with an original approach and a special taste for melodies. Vocal themes and instrumental passages follow one another with simplicity and there's a solid coherence in every moment of the song.

Believe me: this album is worth listening to.

The strongest qualities in it are levity and fantasy, both in composition and arrangements: I like the way the voice merges with the instruments and also the piano plots announcing tempo changes and new melodies. Please don't expect innovation or turning points in prog history here: this is something you already know, but done at the highest level. Isn't it enough for you? It is for me.