CAMERE ZIMMER ROOMS

Listed as a studio release, this is more accurately a compilation of unreleased tracks performed live in the studio, from an until-now undocumented era of PdP that falls between the two official albums both in date and in sound - think of the romantically sad, wall-of-horns environment of "Abbiamo Tutti..." and grace every track with vocals that straddle the line between the trademark deliveries of the canterbury and RPI scenes. This makes for an attractive and accessible album, one that's the equal of the previous two.

Just a few notes about the four full-length tracks - "Il Presidente" feels a little like Egg or National Health and seems to conceal great humour (sadly this reviewer is baffled by the italian language); "Il Mare d'Irlanda" comes closest to the symphonic sounds of italy; "La Cittá" begins with a short sound collage - don't worry, it's not harsh and besides, we've all sat through "Alan's Psychedelic Breakfast" and this is far less tiresome - which is followed by a short and surprising EL&P impression (don't raise your eyebrow like that, just listen to the song and you'll understand) which seems to indicate that we'll be in for some sort of pastiche, but like the great judges of taste they've proved themselves to be, PdP rescue the track from the jaws of farce with an extended jazz sequence featuring scat vocals mimicing the guitar's crazy melody line - again I'd like to reference National Health, as I feel that it's impossible to only like one of these bands. Finally, "Pinguini" is a track recorded at the end of the seventies, circa "Abbiamo Tutti..." and would fit well on to it - this would lead you to think that it's an offcutting from that album, and of lesser quality, but this reviewer assures you that this is not the case. It's a little more challenging and loose than the previous three songs and elements of the challenging Henry Cow/Art Bears school of songwriting can be detected at times, while at others the song is impossibly genial and melodic. The CD is concluded by a brief reprise of the theme from the second tune, which only serves to bring about a sense of completion - a full-stop at the end of this great band's wonderful but short sentence. Of course, it wasn't necessary as PdP re-united, resulting in a third official album...

Recommended to National Health and Egg fans and indeed, all admirers of this so-called Canterbury scene which spans most of western europe. The CD doesn't reach a galloping speed, and technical heroics are never attempted - along with the other works of Picchio dal Pozzo, this album is all about tasteful and refreshing composition, and this is achieved astoundingly well. Five stars.