INTERGALACTIC ART CAFE

This is my first (daring) attempt with this Italian outfit ... and please believe me, nothing to regret to sum it up. Wow - a lush sound all the way through when considering them a trio. So overdubs are to be expected ... twin guitars often enough are competing as well as harmonizing with diverse keyboard stuff ... and there's a very lively rhythm section which is much more than a backing ... there you go! As for a first proper overview I'd say this is a rock music blend of crimson-esque leanings and psychedelic ingredients. Wind instruments in terms of saxophone and trumpet are implemented at the beginning in order to mention some guest appearance.

Nine years after the previous album 'Prismosfera' their new Intergalactic Art Cafe is announced to be an interdimensional place, rich in contaminations, unexpected contributions. An exaggeration to talk about? Not at all! While acting nearly instrumental the songs are excellently arranged, consisting of titles which are in English and Italian equally. The cosmic journey starts with the escape from Algon - Fuga Da Algon - which is the real masterpiece just right from the start I'd say - a fantastic workout outfitted with many variants ... and my beloved mellotron. And then they are cheerfully underway like the Space Surfers - this tune perfectly presents the band's good-tempered optimistic attitude ... in the same way as Indian Breakfast with a slight eastern touch due to the guitar appearance.

The gripping 'Rebus' trilogy/centerpiece is blatantly KC oriented, no failure at all, very tricky, shows some weird vocal attendance for example. Bubbling water and ska excursions are to detect on Lumacacactus and they even seem to loose orientation with the poppy The Gnome On The Moon for a while. Oltre Algon finally closes the circle - oltre means beyond here I'm sure - and now they obviously have reached their goal ... a wonderful ballad-esque psych outro to close this album.

Although STEREOKIMONO are definitely operating in their own league music-wise - as for a proper orientation I dare to call up some references to bands such as King Crimson, Moonwagon, Pink Floyd, Hypnos 69 and fellow countrymen Delirio Sonoro ... a wondrous scale, eh? I know, I know ... it only remains for me to add that Franz Di Cioccio, the drummer of PFM, is involved regarding the production. Fine, fine ... an entertaining album is waiting to be checked out, folks - highly recommended!