CONTRAPPUNTI

Le Orme's career followed a pattern not uncommon amongst prog bands. They started as a enthusiastic psychedelic rock band, before inducing superlatives from prog fans with a couple of masterpieces of emotive prog creativity, soon to be followed by mellowing out into to silky synth varnish and lyrical indulgences.

Contapunti is a fine album but it suffers from a diminished drive and inspiration. The band got stuck in their keyboard heavy sound and I found the vocalist unable to come up with fresh and inspired vocal melodies, sounding as if they could have featured on any of the preceding albums. Another indication of his writer's block can be found in the dominating instrumental nature of the album. But also that instrumental side of the band isn't in great shape. Even the sound suffers. The rhythm section that used to be so solid and dynamic sounds thin and flat, many riffs and songs developments have a familiar ring to them and I can even hear an ELP plagiarism (minute 2 of the opening track). Or should I call it a quote?

Most songs very enjoyable, but there's just very little here that stands out. The instrumental parts sound like keyboard exercises and the songs with vocals are too easy-going, missing the sophisticated melancholy that elevated them far above pop on the previous albums. The biggest disappointment comes at the end, Maggio could have saved the album but it is an average 'epic' for me, with a flat instrumental performance, unremarkable vocals and a particularly annoying poppy main theme.

This Le Orme record tries hard but hasn't enough creative fuel left to catch up with any of their three preceding albums. I would still recommend this album if you are a dedicated fan of symphonic music, but for me, after also being dissatisfied with the 2001 come-back Elementi, my wonderful Le Orme journey will end here.