FORSE LE LUCCIOLE NON SI AMANO PIÙ

A product of a second wave of Rock Progressivo Italiano, Locanda Delle Fate's debut (and only studio album during the 70s) never really grabs me. And if you read all the other slightly sceptic reviews for this album, you'll notice we're all pretty much in agreement as to why.

What you'll find on this album is remarkably pleasant; most often mellow, by-the-book symphonic prog. The rich, subtle arrangements of Genesis, with democratic distribution of guitar and keys in intertwined, delicate arrangements. You know?that slowly moving melange where you find dynamics in a smaller scale rather than in the bigger structures. Add to that some of Camel's syrupy feel-good melody-making and dreaminess à la The Snow Goose taken a bit further, played with silken gloves and almost fairy-tale timbre and motifs at times. The more Italian bits are the prominent, gladly rollicking piano that enriches so much of the peninsula's music. There is some nice flute interplay to be found as well. All in all, not much to complain about objectively, if you're interested in this type of sound. Lush and warm for the most part, often complex and intricate arrangements to enjoy along the way, with this laid-back, romantic atmosphere likely encountered before in (for example) PFM's or Banco's lighter compositions if you've dabbled in the sub-genre before. Leonardo Sasso's vocals even remind me a bit of Francesco DiGiacomo at times, only less intense and operatic. And to add another positive thing, the textures can be a real treat with the full sound dual keys and dual guitar can provide.

It is truly disappointing then, that as the album unfolds, things never really change. You're just drenched in a seemingly endless assault of what's mentioned above. There is absolutely no album dynamics, but just this sweet, symphonic, gluey mass to wade through. It's just boringly flat. Even worse is that when given time, you'll start to notice how uninspired some of the melodies and motifs are. They feel like routine, based on instruction more than the heat of the moment. And I miss the joy that could have been such a great complement to this music. And when the band honestly tries to stir things up a little, with some heavy guitar riffs and a little contrast, there is this clearly noticeable conflict present; a will to break out of the mould as well as being eager not to disturb the oh-so-precious flow already established. And in holding this sacred, the album loses a lot of energy and ear-opening effect to preserve a tedious consistency. Where is the drama!? As a result, the album easily drifts away from you and takes place as nice background music, but nothing else.

Locanda Delle Fate is obviously a group that had the potential to make something great, with the assembled musicianship present, but this, the safe way, wasn't the way to realise that. I certainly understand the raving reviews about the heart-wrenching beauty and romantic grandeur, but if you scrape a bit on that glossy surface, you'll perhaps realise the flaws of the concept as well. A bit too derivative, a bit to flat, a bit too uninteresting. And far from an essential RPI work.

Choose for yourself.

3 stars, by a hair.

//LinusW