STORIA DI UN MINUTO

PFM is one the most loved Italian progressive rock bands from the seventies. Most RPI is heavily inspired by King Crimson, ELP and Genesis and then personalized with influences from classical music and the keen Italian eye for beauty. This is the fourth studio album by PFM that I managed to find on a vinyl, after The World Became the World, Photos of Ghosts and Jet Lag. It's also the fourth album I will sell after giving it five spins or so.

First let me excuse myself, I do hear and agree this album has moments of explicit beauty and finesse. My problem with PFM is their ability to screw things up by experimenting beyond their capability. Opening song 'Impressioni di Settembre' is a beautiful melodic symphonic song with that typical Italian cultured feel. I myself however experience physical pain when hearing these out of tune synths during the main theme. 'E' Festa' is a chaotic song that just keeps firing ideas on the listener. Fun at times, but because of the harsh production also a bit frantic. Moreover, it is clearly based upon Beggers Opera's track 'Festival' from the year before (Waters of Change, 1971). On the second side the music remains highly chaotic and unfocused with those staccato runs derived from the middle section of King Crimsons '21th Century Schizoid Man' - coming out of nowhere. The folky parts with vocals are all highlights and can appreciate the ELP influenced jazzy section. The final song 'Grazie Davvero' is another track with some great ideas (the brass section for instance) but is again destroyed by a lack of interest in proper song-writing over noodling.

I would have actually liked to hear a more poppy version of this PFM record, without the progressive noodling. Or a compilation of their least chaotic songs from the early and mid-seventies. For such a record you would however have to cut up songs. Please believe me when I state I find no pleasure in criticizing this record, but I just can't reward the listening experience with more then two stars.