I had never heard of Strange Pop myself and learned from the included information that we are dealing with a one-man project by the Polish Michal Dziadosz. With Urban Legends he releases his third album. As is often the case, he indicates that his new music contains the familiar characteristics of the previous releases, but that new influences and styles have also been incorporated. Lyrically, we can say that we are dealing with a concept album dealing with the dialogue with our younger selves as the subject. Not meant as an obligation about how to live but more as the exchange of life experiences. A city has been chosen as a background, while Dziadosz indicates that he himself has more empathy with nature and less and less with city life. Then on to the music, and that's where the question arises, what does this have to do with prog rock or art rock. The answer is clear, not much. Dziadosz plays almost everything himself and has only enlisted the help of Kovy Jaglinski and Pablo Si for part of the guitar work. If I were to make an attempt to describe the style of the music, words would come up like relaxed, lounge-like pop with very few musical surprises. It is mainly the somewhat alienating atmosphere that typifies this music. Dziadosz occasionally sings himself and his voice, well shall we say, you have to love that. It is a bit whiny and the reverb that is constantly given to it is disturbing in the long run. We hardly hear anything of rock anywhere because it all remains quite floaty and quiet except for some electronic rhythms. Except for the long Nocturnal Lifestyle, we hear fairly compact tracks with very occasionally something that resembles a solo but never even a trace of excitement. A lot of repetition and I notice that my attention is draining away and I don't think that's the intention unless the music is meant to create a relaxed atmosphere in a massage parlour. Maybe that's where the opportunities lie for this project because I'm afraid that the visitors of this site won't get much enthusiasm when listening to this album. Splendid Solitude is the last song on the album and when Michal starts singing, my ears protest and the rippling electronic rhythm doesn't make it any better. Without wanting to offend Dziadosz, I have to conclude that Urban Legends does not fascinate me and that there will not be many people within the prog world who think differently. However, if you like dreamy pop with electronic rhythms and elongated, slow keyboards, then this album could be something for you. ** Erik Fraanje (edited by Dave Smith) Where to buy? |
