ELEMENTI

This concept album by legendary Italian prog band LE ORME was a very nice surprise for me five years after their comeback album Il Fiume which I found rather weak and simplistic. Elementi became much more dynamic than its predecessor, the quality of the compositions comes closer to that one of their 70's masterpieces but nevertheless they're not just copying theirselves and it sounds very modern. There are 14 suites about the four elements which segue without any break into each other. The compositions are nicely balanced between up-tempo and more dreamy ones, as well between vocal and instrumental sections. The sound dominated by the two keyboards is quite dense and voluminous, enriched by Aldo Tagliapietra's strong bass play and some occasional Hammond. In one song he's using the sitar getting supported by violin which is a nice reminiscence of their folk-ish origins. Overall a very convincing evidence that they still can do it! 4 1/2 well deserved stars!