LA MECCANICA NATURALE

Finally, after five years of silence regarding some new material, Zuffanti would get Finisterre back in the studio for the fourth chapter in the life of this interesting group.The band found a new home on Franz Di Cioccio's Immaginifica label and the work started in September 2003, lasting a bit less than six months.The core of Zuffanti/Valle/Marelli is joined by Zaal's and future La Maschera di Cera's keyboardist Agostino Macor and Marco Cavani on drums, another piece of La Maschera di Cera's upcoming future.The band is also helped by Franz Di Cioccio himself on drums on one track, Höstsonaten's Fausto Sidri on percussion, Luca Guercio on flugehorn and Carlo Carnevali on voices.

This effort by Finisterre shows a switch towards the earlier style of atmospheric Italian Prog with strong references to the 70's with less evident Folk and jazzy vibes and a style heavily relying on symphonic synths, odd Mellotron showering and extremely dramatic guitar moves.A couple of tracks will only escape for the basic rule and show glimpses of a more modern group with heavier guitar moves and very expressive vocals, sometimes offered with a light distortion, I can even detect a slight Post Rock brushstroke in these pieces.The rest of the album though is certainly among the classic lines of the genre with emphatic keyboard waves, even with dual washes of synths and Mellotron, and a tendency towards a singer/songwriter type of music in the acoustic passages.Gears are constantly down but this won't prevent the band from producing rich, instrumental textures, crying electric movements and haunting full-blown orchestral-like pomposity.Excellent arrangements with intense soundscapes, slightly complex themes and heavy doses of instrumental symphonicism.A more downtempo and smoother version of LA MASCHERA DI CERA would be the most accurate description for ''La meccanica naturale''.

Again this is another solid and consistent piece of music art created by Finisterre.Atmospheric, first-class Italian Prog with both vintage and contemporary leanings, performed by a company of talented guys.Strongly recommended...3.5 stars.