Turquoise - Po drugiej stronie... (2003)

"In addition to the natural evolution brought about through the lineup changes, Turquoise's second album is indeed a significant development for the band. While the most significant change is the blend of male vocals with the new female voices the short "Prolog" clearly shows their roots in 70s style orchestral keyboards. "Desiderata" is a folky art rock number rooted in the band's earlier sound with the lovely new female vocalists, acoustic guitar, light percussion and keyboards dominating the arrangement. Lilia's mid-range lead vocals are evocative and sensual atop acoustic guitar while Agnieszka's provide a lovely texture backing in the chorus against the richer arrangements. Guitar solos within the piece have more of a metal edge and provide insight on the direction the band are taking. All vocals are sung in Polish.The band continues to illustrate their development with Jacek Galant's lead vocal in "Spotkanie," a melodic guitar-based romp. A good singer, his vocals appear to be well suited for the material--the choir style female backing vocals and acoustic guitar solo soften the edge of the tune, especially in the extended metal-edged guitar solo. Lilia resumes the lead in the progressively styled ballad "Piesn Aayrnй" where the crystalline clarity and evocative delivery of her vocals shine through. Indeed a standout track for her vocals, Alexander Zelazny's acoustic then electric guitar solos provide a stunning contrast. Jacek's lead vocals return in the dramatic and metal-edged "Po teg stronie." And by this tune the musical themes of the album are exposed; upon multiple plays, the listener will become familiar with them. We especially enjoyed the keyboard arrangements and Alexander's dramatic guitar excursions within the number. The central number of the album is the four-part epic "Suita d-minor." A progressive rock masterpiece, the first movement "Tagnal," a short number featuring lush and upbeat 70s style electric guitar and symphonic choir-like keyboards. With that as a short introduction, the rich keyboards and metal-styled electric guitar solos and vast Wakeman-esque keyboard riffs of the second movement, "Zdobede i Ciebie," take over. Strong instrumentally, the piece blends progressive with metal and is evocatively sung by Jacek. Lilia takes over the lead--and indeed her vocal stands out, way above the instrumentals--in the third movement "Glos serca" and the alternating instrumentals instantly soften to lush keyboard and acoustic guitar. The suite concludes with "Testament Sel'entinell," a natural ballad style extension of "Glos serca," again showcasing Lilia's and Agnieszka's vocal work. The evocative violin and acoustic guitar solos within the number are in sharp contrast to the metal edged guitar riffs and regimental percussion in the bridge. The final portion of the album begins with a harder progressive number entitled "...a smierc utraci wladze swa" with Jacek on lead vocal. Rhythmic guitar and sweeping keyboard passages work well alongside layers of his vocals. Solo work varies between acoustic and electric guitar. The rich choir textures work well in contrast to Jacek's lead. The band's art rock sound returns with Lilia's soaring vocalise illustrating her true virtuousity backed by warm electric guitar and lush keyboard washes in "Po tamtej stronie." A melodic guitar solo precedes Jacek's evocatively performed lead vocal supported by keyboard. The album concludes with "Epilog," a church organ styled keyboard instrumental that bookends the opening number precisely."
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