SUONO!

This Italian band has been around since the eighties but they didn't release a studio album until 2001, this is the followup that was released in 2013. Most will agree that they have really upped their game with this recording. It's so cool too that the original drummer and flute player were invited back as guests on this one and you will see them and the rest of the band in the picture beside their bio here.

"Prefazione" is a very short intro of fast paced piano as vocal melodies join in. This is an intro to "Il Guardiano" where the same melody continues but with a fuller sound. Vocals too and everytime the vocals stop the flute takes over until before 2 minutes where both join the soundscape and that's my favourite part of the song. Themes are repeated and we also get some guitar. "Il Suono Seducente Del Sogno Pt. 1" is relaxed to start as the flute joins in. Reserved vocals after 1 1/2 minutes. Beautiful stuff especially the background synths. It kicks in after 2 1/2 minutes with passionate vocals as the contrasts continue. The tempo picks up around 4 minutes in and this is quite catchy. Some nice guitar 5 1/2 minutes in as he solos followed by flute only 6 minutes in but it's brief. Some heavier guitar is next followed by another calm. "Nemesi" has outbursts of power early on then it stays fairly powerful with some organ helping out as the vocals join in. Man he can sing! A calm with piano before 2 1/2 minutes and I really like the drum work here as well. Another calm before 4 minutes and I love the melancholic synths. Check out the piano/ vocal section before 6 1/2 minutes.

"Rovescia L'immaginazione E Scorpi La Realta" builds from the get-go, the guitar and drums really standout. A calm with piano after 1 1/2 minutes then it builds again as contrasts continue. Love the guitar 5 1/2 minutes in to the end. A pretty cool instrumental track. "Il Suono Seducentre Del Sogno Pt. 2" opens with guitar that I really like the tone of along with some prominent bass as it builds. Vocals 1 1/2 minutes in with strummed guitar as it settles but then it kicks back in. Plenty of synths follow then a calm arrives 3 1/2 minutes in. "Lorca E Dali" hits the ground running but then settles fairly quickly with synths, a beat and more. An enjoyable section. Spoken words arrive after 3 minutes until they turn into singing 4 1/2 minutes in then it turns heavier and kicks into gear a minute later. The guitar soars before 9 1/2 minutes then the synths lead before the guitar returns and both lead the way. "The Sun" is a short tune that opens with a sample of someone driving up and parking before getting out as the piano and acoustic guitar take over. Laid back vocals join in then it ends with the person getting back into the car and leaving. A ballad-like track.

This is a very enjoyable album that pushes all the right buttons for me when it comes to to RPI. A solid 4 stars is certainly deserved.