DNA

With their second record, Jumbo established their own musical style based, mainly, on one of the most peculiar italian voice in prog. Francesco di Giacomo is usually remembered as the finest vocalist. Jumbo's vocalist and leader, Alvaro "Jumbo" Fella, is the strangest singer in all the italian classic prog scene. His rough, angry and nasal voice immidiately take the attention of the listener.

While in the third album "Vietato ai Minori di 18 Anni?" he went to touch the apex of verbal excesses through hard and extreme stories, fragment of true deteriorated lives (alcohol, drugs, prostitution ...) or fragment of infinite sadness (the onanist in "Specchio" who knows he will not have a girfriend, a child, a family), in "DNA" he shows us more equilibrium. The music' structure is less complicated than the following album, somehow too repetitive in some passages. Never lacks in imagination and fascination.

That's the great evocative opener (about 20,40 mns long) "Suite per il Dig. K." (Suite for Mr. K.). Who is Mr. K.? When I've heard the lyrics: " something's happening inside me" I immidiately understood the reference to the famous writer Franz Kafka and his memorable tale "Metamorhosis" where a man surprisingly found himself changed to a big beetle. That's the thoughts loudly proclaimed by the singer: "once I had voice, now I cannot shout". The meaning has not to be searched in some existential and phylosophical explanation, but in that development of each person who starts with age to became cynic and social climber. The rythm is sometimes slow with a "drunking" bass' pattern. Piano and organ are often passed by a nervous electric guitar.

Very interesting the song "Miss Rand". A funny scheme, a joyful marching band with delicate flute when Alvaro Fella is telling how died teacher Miss Rand: she was burnt alive in his house...not exactly what the listener was waiting for...

In "E' Brutto Sentirsi Vecchi" (Is Bad to Feel Old) the lyrics describe man growing older with the disturbs, problems and moral degradations of whom looses the touch with reality. Not for criticize them but for pity and compassion.

In conclusion, if you want to listen to more complex musical things, this is not hte best to start with. Start with "Vietato...". Don't get me wrong. This is not less a classic. It does not rapresent their point of maturity. The long acoustic interludes, the strange and unique lyrics, the non-emersonian piano and organ are well worthy of inclusion in any good prog rock collection.

The correct evaluation should be between 3,5 and 4 stars.

P.S. If you like Osanna, this album will also please you!

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