A SPACE ODYSSEY, PART ONE - MONOLITH

First I would like to thank everyone who has written reviews for PA in the past, especially the prolific reviewers. I understand where the inspiration comes from, obviously the music, but for myself the variety in the reviewing to keep them fresh is a real art. Be they dramatic, unique or specific. Not to mention the time needed to produce said reviews. So, if I were wearing a hat presently, I'd tip it to all of you. There are many very good reviewers here on the site and I'd be here all day if I were to name all that I've come to rely on for viewpoints, but one reviewer has found a niche I've noticed relatively recently that is very interesting and unique to this reviewer. I very much enjoyed Atavachron's interview's with deceased musicians. A unique perspective on critiquing which I appreciate and find very interesting. If I may ask, David, are you a Warlock? Alright, enough kissing up to the reviewers. Thanks again.

Now to the music in question. I already had RanestRane's first album Nosferatu Il Vampiro, which definitely showed potential as a debut recording. I wasn't overly enthralled by the music, but between the music, conception and the album cover, it was more than satisfactory and recommendable. I had noticed that their second album Shinning was also an homage to a classic film release as well. So in keeping with their style, it was no great surprise to see that their third album was based upon another classic film, this time 2001: A Space Odyssey. After noticing that some of the early critique's were positive/very positive, I decided to purchase the A Space Odyssey Part One: Monolith. I am very glad that I did. It is filled with high quality musicianship! There seems to be no missteps in it musically whatsoever. If there was anything that at first I found just a tad negative it would be the slight over abundance of movie dialogue used on several of the tracks. I have become used to them after a couple of listens and actually have come to an appreciation for them with familiarity. I enjoy this album immensely and would highly recommend it to anyone who appreciates quality music with an Italian air.

Also I would like to state that the over-all quality was carried over completely in RanestRane's-A Space Odyssey Part Two: H.A.L. I feel that it is just as good as Part One with both outstanding musicianship and a classy package as well. The music for Part Two is of a very similar vein as found in Part One which makes the set of very good quality and also very homogenous without being repetitious or unimaginative in the least. I have come to appreciate these recordings as some of my personal favorite's from the RPI sub-genre having been released in the last few years. RPI is my personal favorite genre/sub-genre. They're obviously a different style, yet I feel that they're right up with Absenthia and Egonon as a couple of my newer RPI favorites. Although the other two albums by the fore-mentioned groups are outstanding and are needless to say very highly recommended, the RanestRane albums have a certain quality which makes them top end RPI releases as well. If I had to use one word to describe these albums, it would be 'quality'! You won't find ground breaking music here, but quality and inspiration abounds! I would highly recommend both Part's One and Two without any hesitation. I could easily place these two recordings at 4.5 stars if possible!

And to end my critique, showing a small personal homage to the wit and creativeness of fellow PA Collaborator: Atavachron, I would like to slightly plagiarize his hopefully non-copy-written idea with two questions to the deceased former lead singer of the classic RPI group Banco Del Mutuo Soccorso-Francesco Di Giacomo. (Please remember the old saying, David, that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery).

Me: Mr. Giacomo, it is an honor to speak with you today! I wish I could say earlier, but I've been a fan of yours since I joined PA back in June of 2007 and discovered the great Italian progressive music scene! If you don't mind, I would like to ask you two related questions if you please?

Francesco: Yes, of course.

Me: First, have you been able to keep up with any the new progressive musicians and groups that are currently coming out of your home country of Italy?

Francesco: Yes, absolutely! It would very much seem as though there is a substantial resurgence in Italia that is truly rivaling the 1970's heyday for Italian progressive music. Since the turn of the millennia, the Italians have come alive! Sorry, no pun intended there.

Me: Also, if I might ask, I have come to appreciate the Italian group RanestRane. Especially there latest albums Part's One and Two-A Space Odyssey. Are you familiar with them and those particular albums?

Francesco: Oh yes, I am. I would say that these two albums are of the highest quality.

Me: That's interesting, as quality is also the word that I used to describe them. Thank you so much for your time, Mr. Giacomo.

Francesco: You're welcome and please call me Francesco. I'm sorry, but that's all of your earthly time that I can spare for now as I am expecting to meet someone this evening for dinner at The Aroma. Arrivederci!

Thanks for reading and writing! Take care and enjoy God's gift of music!

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