ITALIAN LUXURY STYLE

4.5 stars. Hard to believe it's been five years since their previous album "Le Ore I Giorni Gli Anni" but yes I'm happy to say these Italians are back sounding just as good as ever. One lineup change as we have a new bass player on this one. This new album seems to get away from what I felt was a pretty strong DFA vibe on the previous album. This one comes across as being more complex at times but for sure you know it's the same band with those excellent Italian vocals and that Jazz/ Canterbury style. Tom Hayes says "I want everyone to hear this!", yes this is another winner from MOOGG.

"Leri/ Italian Luxury" opens with piano melodies then a powerful soundscape takes over briefly before what sounds like clavinet takes over with drums, then a full sound arrives. This is catchy and somewhat funky even. Angular guitar after 2 1/2 minutes as it starts to solo over top. Synths take the lead before 4 minutes as the guitar steps aside. The guitar is back then we get a change 5 1/2 minutes in as it calms right down with intricate guitar as the bass and drums join in as well. It all stops before 6 1/2 minutes as a new soundscape takes over of riffs and spacey synths before we get vocals(love them) for the first time before 7 minutes, piano too. It mellows out after 8 minutes then builds as the vocals continue. A change before 9 minutes as we get some impressive drum work and more. So good! Ripping guitar 10 minutes in as the tempo picks up. Check out the bass solo that follows, then it all kicks back in with fast paced piano and more. The guitar and upfront bass is back! What a great opening track but I still think the title track from the previous album is their best song and opener.

"Nani, Veline E Cortigiane" hits the ground running and I'm so impressed with the instrumental work here. The bass, drums and guitar really shine. A calm before 2 1/2 minutes with prominent bass and drums only at first then the keys join in too. It settles back after 3 1/2 minutes but I'm still loving the bass work and piano. Oh yeah the guitar continues to be outstanding. Vocals arrive after 4 1/2 minutes. It's building, even the vocals are more passionate. So good!

"Turista Per Sembre" opens with a sample of someone sanding wood? I'm not sure(haha), sounds like he just blew the shavings away. That sample returns after 4 minutes as well, a rubbing sound. Anyway we get piano, a beat and intricate guitar lines throughout. It's fairly laid back and trippy. "L'estinzione Del Congiuntive" opens with a funky groove that sounds like Zeuhl all the way surprisingly. Electric piano joins in as well only adding t that flavour. It all picks up before 1 1/2 minutes and vocals follow as the Zeuhl vibe disappears. Check out the drumming a minute later. Angular guitar before 3 minutes then some strange spoken words as the guitar and drums continue.

"Le Voyage(Pour Christian Vander)" is a song that has some incredible drum work on it not surprisingly as it's dedicated to the MAGMA founder. Sounds rise and fall then we get some cool drum work and electric piano. Synths take over and then the guitar starts to solo over top before 2 minutes. Nice. More excellent drum work follows with organ this time then the synths return. The guitar is back before 4 minutes as themes are repeated. A calm follows as the drums and bass seem to play randomly. It kicks back in at 5 1/2 minutes with the guitar grinding away. An incredible song.

"Due Come Noi" is a beautiful and laid back tune with piano, a beat and strummed guitar. "Italian Luxury Style II(Including Ritorno A Liri)" has a big opening but it settles quickly. Synths, bass and atmosphere help out before the vocals arrive. The bass, drums and synths lead the way before 2 minutes then the guitar starts to make some noise after 3 minutes. It settles right down around 5 minutes in and check out the percussion a minute later. Some soaring guitar around 9 1/2 minutes as well.

I think this is a better and more consistent release than the previous album even if my favourite song by them is on that earlier record. They've upped their game instrumentally in my opinion. One of the best from 2016.