ARPIA — Liberazione

ITALY IS A REPUBBLIC BASED ON... (extract frim 1st art. of Italian Constitution)

Historical band of the Roman underground the Arpia decide to build a concept on the story of the Italian Republic taking like chapters black mysteries of Italian history. So Bonetti, Brait and Orazi decide to build a non-politic reading of the make disputed but doing to tell from a witness of the other political bank. So Benito Mussolini and Clara Petacci hung and exhibited to Loreto square in Rome come mocked from a Communist ("Piazzale Loreto) and the massacle of Della Loggia Square in brescia comes told from a Fascist girl (because to the period the politics in Italy was this!!!). And, still, the well-known (in Italy) Moro Abduction ("16 Marzo 1978") comes seen with the eyes of an old Communist, the Massacre of Bologna (Central Station, August 2nd 1980, 10:25 A.M.) ("Bologna") comes seen with the eyes of a family of immigrants in Belgium (but of right hand...) and the victory of polytical coalition of Center- Right hand in March 28th 1994 ("Coprofagia") from a neo BR (that it is wanted to admit or no is a militia of Communists). So doing "Liberazione" became a raw reflection on the Italian society of the last half Century without to be political. Musically it is very raw, dusk, not easy but very immediate music com a lot of synth (I I find it also cheerful) with excellent lyrics and a smaller production that excites the meaning of the work.

Summarized: Excellent music and excellent comcept. Even if it is not conventional Prog because stinks of New wave but is 100% very Prog. Surely the concept is brave and not easy to understand if do not is itself Italian or it is not known the Italian story. However at least so it knows a story. That of nation that claims a power that in the centuries, even though divided in regional nations, the Bel Paese still today.

For always yours, Mandrakeroot.

Posted Tuesday, December 05, 2006, 09:40 EST | http://www.progarchives.com/Review.asp?id=101648 - Permanent link

Of the many bands and projects where mr. Zuffanti is involved (La Maschera di Cera, Finisterre, Lazona, Merlin Opera Rock ...), Hostsonaten is the most warm, mellow, gentle and melodic one with hints of folk and celtic influence plus sparse touches of jazz. That “celtic-symphonic prog” (I don't know how to call it, otherwise) is what came out better from this recent work.

Springsong is the last studio album released by the band and is based upon a compelling symphonic structure (moog, pianos and mellotron, synth) driven by acoustic instruments as the 12 strings guitar, violin, saxophone, flute, delicate whistles and even bagpipes! Nine instrumental composition, with some sparkling variations and a unique recitative part in “She Sat Writing Letters on the Riverbank”. The general mood of the album is different from the usual italian contemporary prog scene. There is not the purpose to surprise the listener with pompous arrangements or with fast and unespected changes of tempo. The music'structure is somehow similar to the classic band Celeste and its warm and soft wonderful compositions.

The message is clear: to relax the tired symphomaniac and give him the opportunity to reflect on all of his sins, to look to the world through ancient and never-changing natural forces. It would be possible then, for the most lucky of us, to come closer to the mythic embrionic state. This is the difference from Celeste. The symphonic structure is the main vehicle to reach all this with the alliance of the natural themes upon which the concept is based on.

The final track “Toward the Sea” is the longer composition (about 13 minutes), divided in three parts (Blackmountains, 3rd Reprise and Springland). The album's manifesto, for sure. Excellent equilibrium from all the musicians. Stunning!

A wonderful musical experience, not everyone's cup of tea, but possibly one of the most important record of the last years. It would have been an appropriate addition to the Lord of the Rings' soundtrack... wonderful!

Posted Tuesday, December 05, 2006, 16:29 EST | http://www.progarchives.com/Review.asp?id=101719 - Permanent link

THE WATCH — Vacuum

BETWEEN GABRIEL'S GENESIS AND FISH'S MARILLION

I love Gabriel's Genesis and Fish's Marillion. Therefore hook The Watch that is perfect mix between this two band. Of the Genesis took Gabriel (or from Marillion Fish...), from Genesis the atmospheres, from the Marillion the melodies. And here already I described the album!!! That Roberto Leoni is one of the more technical than drummer I listened to a detail becomes. Then, in order not to say that is a copy of the Genesis in "Shining Bald Heads" introduce in closing a rhythmic solo of keyboards pratically a la Moody Blues (but seem chance) is another detail. Perhaps thje larger lack they are the intro of the songs that send again too, in the attacks of the voice, to Fish and the symphonic part of "Out Of The Land" that, thanks to the voice, is 100% fish's Marillion. But also this is a detail. Said this seems a negative review. Fake nothing more! The The Watch is a lot more sincere of the Marillion with Fish because those imitated (well) while the The Watch come compelled from a singer that I did not understood is is Fish or Peter Gabriel succeeding to produce a music that it is not understood who of two groups cited desire to copy.

Summarized: A lot of groups copy. Some because lacking ideas, other because compelled, other, still, for tribute. In the The Watch is the case of to say that is a winning mix of these everything components. Honestly I find that they be also very personal because their rereading it is very personal and sincere. Certainly they did not be Italian the labels would have extended red carpets simply of to have their favors. But thanks to the Lizard and to the Pick Up is not you rhymed unknown. And if it do not know them and loved the Gabriel's Genesis and Fish's Marillion you should know that The Watch constitute the natural continue.

For always yours, Mandrakeroot.

Posted Saturday, December 09, 2006, 04:25 EST | http://www.progarchives.com/Review.asp?id=102239 - Permanent link

HOSTSONATEN — Hostsonaten

HOSTSONATEN: A COLLECTION OF AUTUMNAL DANCES

Uhm... Attractive, weird simple and traditional album. However that difficult to put together four words for a review... Also because "Sinfonia Della Luna" is sacrificated to simple intro, "Remember You" (very best Medieval Symphonic Prog) comes after "Hostsonaten" becoming a replenished (sic...) and "The Rime Of The Ancient Mariner" is weighing and calculated to surprise since the text is the homonymous poetry of Coleridge. So the review does not be able that to to be based on the long suite "Hostsonaten (42 mins!!!) that is a to succeed itself of Folk Prog, Symphonic Folk, Jazz Prog, POP and who more of it more put. In general it is a lot of Italian Symphonic Prog but has strong returns to the Caravan of "In The Land Of Grey And Pink", to the first PFM (I think about "Storia Di Un Minuto"), to the Moody Blues of "Days Of Future Passed", to the onnipresent Genesis, to the New Trolls of Searching For A Land", to the Delirium of "Dolce Acqua", to the Jethro Tull and to the solo career of Rick Wakeman. "Hostsonaten", thanks also to the sweet acoustic guitars, to the attractive sax, to the flute (fundamental element of Italian Symphonic Prog), to the mellotron and to the relaxed atmospheres seems to last little more of 20 mins!!! It does not surprise me that a musician like Ciro Perrino (ex Celeste, between the other) have had the courage of to publish an album like "Hostsonaten" and in general to support Fabio Zuffanti. That for shortsightedness (but I would say for the eyes covered of ham) of certainly discographycs is compelled to remain unknown to the masses!!!

Summarized: Long life to Fabio Zuffanti, artist that I put in the same plan of Banco Del Mutuo Soccorso, Le Orme, PFM and New Trolls in order to importance for the Rock Progressivo Italiano. And here I conclude because the words they are superfluous. Good listening!

For always yours, Mandrakeroot.

Posted Saturday, December 09, 2006, 06:10 EST | http://www.progarchives.com/Review.asp?id=102244 - Permanent link