LA TERRA DEI GRANDI OCCHI

CALLIOPE are a five piece band from Italy who really pay their respects to the golden era of RPI with their vintage keyboards (moog, Hammond, mellotron) and strong Italian vocals. This is their debut which was released in 1992. This is the only album I have by this band but i'm so impressed. I'm really surprised this record isn't rated higher than it is.

What caught my attention right away with the title track "La Terra Dei Grandi Occhi" was how fast the keyboardist is ! As tszirmay points out this guy plays at the speed of light. What's more impressive to me though is the mellotron that floods in when it settles down. Vocals join in and they sound really good. Great section ! The synths then guitar really rip it up as the mellotron continues. Amazing ! Bass comes in prominantly. It settles again before 6 1/2 minutes and vocals return. Mellotron follows. "Non Si Credo Piu" is led by organ and drums as bass and guitar help out. Vocals a minute in.The organ and bass really standout. Synths come in then it settles but not for long. Great tune. "Lunario" offers a variety of keyboard sounds and check out the tasteful guitar 3 minutes in. Nice instrumental.

"Pensieri Affascinanti" is a feel good song to me. The vocals and organ sound great while the guitar and relentless bass all add to this beautiful sound. Nice guitar work after 3 minutes. Mellotron follows. It calms right down 4 1/2 minutes in with organ, mellotron, bass and drums. Vocals join in. Kicks in before 7 minutes. Vocal melodies end it. "Passi Dentro Il Tempo" opens with 1 1/2 minutes of fantasic instrumental sounds before the vocals come in. Another feel good song. The guitar lights it up 3 minutes in. "Avalon" sounds so good when the strong vocals arrive followed by a river of mellotron. The bass and organ shine as well on this powerful track. "L'anima Del Cielo" opens with guitar, bass and drums. Cool sound.Organ joins in with vocals. It turns powerful then settles back as the contrasts continue. What a great sound 6 minutes in, especially the vocals and organ. "Mellotronmania" is simply that, lots of mellotron and other vintage keyboard sounds.

The mellotron, Hammond and vocals alone cry out for 4 stars.