L'INFINITO

Le Orme are finally back and just like PFM, they realized that poppier stuff just won't cut it anymore and that a return to their progressive roots is where their future lies. I guess it's true, the old cliché: as you enter the golden age, the loop tightens and we return to our childhood. The move back started with "Il Fiume" and then with "Elementi", each "progressively" better and more focused than ever. 2004's "L'Infinito" has Le Orme purring on all cylinders with all the hallmarks of a once glorious history, with all the elements that are specific to this storied band: Aldo Tagliapietra's lush voice, arguably one of the finest in Italy and Miki Dei Rossi massive drumming style, as well as bringing new techniques with a dual keyboard approach, including the "Alien", a guitar simulator that sounds just like an electric 6 string sizzling machine! As usual with this band, the songs just flow from one into another as if one long extended piece. The opening instrumental lays down the keyboarded carpet with waves of synthesizer and organ, propelled by that fierce and immediately recognizable drumming. The boys don't mess around as the next opus "La Voce del Silenzio" is sheer harmonious beauty, a gentle pastoral setting with some iridescent crescendos, the Alien kicking in some ivoried lead guitar that just hurls the passion forward, undaunted. An organ propelled romp keeps things on edge, until the title piece kicks in, the overtly symphonic "L'Infinito" has some purist classical tendencies which are most appealing, a luxuriant string quartet cattily playing with the arrangement until some mellotronish mist announces another gut wrenching vocal plea. Just like in the good old "Felona "days, there is a nearly operatic feel to the proceedings that no one can really cop. A fabulous harpsichord leads the most baroque of melodies, the breathtaking "Si Puo' Immaginare", featuring a soaring vocalization that will leave anyone speechless, further compounded by a sweeping synth passage, a searing violin solo courtesy of second keysman Andrea Bassato and a funky MB3 self-made custom organ solo by Michele Bon. Buon Giorno, Maestri! "Il Tempio sul Lago" is a Wakemanesque piano etude that evokes a bucolic temple by the lakeside, elegant and ardent at the same time, complemented with some detailed orchestrations. The aptly titled "Canto" is just a pristine song with assorted effects and Aldo singing his heart out, the Alien making another otherworldly foray into fretdom, bluesing and bruising with unreserved abandon. The trademark Tagliapietra sitar makes an impromptu appearance on "La Ruota del Cielo", ushering in some heavenly fragility, a playful ditty that suggests a distinct sense of joy and serenity. The sitar and the violin conspire to trade some licks and the result is sheer splendor. "Tra la Luna e Il Sole" is an additional impassioned melody that erupts with impunity, funky organ and swirling synths combining in elevating this piece to lofty heights, with a tender return to chorus finale. A brief keyboard-heavy instrumental gambol, including an extra terrestrial keyguit howl, shepherds in the title reprise, an ultra romantic expression of the power of the infinite. 4 Infinite footprints . After such a long time, proof that prog is like a box of chocolates...