PASSPARTÙ

Passpartú was another turning point for italian prog kings PFM. Unfortunate, it did not mean they were back to their trademark symphonic prog. Much on the contrary. But at least it put an end to their jazz-rock/fusion period. And after two unsucsessful english singing-only, they were back to deliver lyrics in their native language. It was clear that they were not going to make it big in the american market after all.

Passpartú finds a band looking for a new direction, and it shows. The album has some nice tunes but it is also a record without much focus or conviction. Acoustic folk? Pop songs? Maybe latin rhythns will be the next big thing, you can almost hear they asking themselves when you listen to this record. Well, I guess we have to thank them for not trying to go disco! It is not their best stuff, but there are some nice melodies and it is indeed better than Jet Lag. As usual, Franco Mussida´s guitar work is superb, acoustic or electric. His terrific playing is definitly the highlight of the CD. On the other hand, with the new direction, you hardly notice Flavio Premoli´s keyboards. A pity, even if the band members once again prove to be as skillful as ever.

Production is ok, the songs are ok, but nothing extraordinaire, very few things here reminds me of their glorious (recent) past. Best songs are the instrumental title track, Se Fossi Cosa and I Cavalieri Del Tavalo Cubico. Of note I must say Bernardo Lanzetti´s voice, always controvertial, is better on Passpartú than on any other previous release PFM had done with him. Final rating: 3 stars.