ANDIAMO IN GIRO DI NOTTE E CI CONSUMIAMO NEL FUOCO

If you need any evidence that the Canterbury Scene is alive and well, of all places you can look here, in a newer, still-active Italian Prog band. Amazing. The quirk is here, mostly from the sort of carefree vocals (at least to me, an ignorant English speaker). The skill is very much present, and present in everyone here. From the keyboards to the guitar, from the drums to the (thankfully featured) horn section. Compositionally very tasty as well, with fast and slow sections, and fun verses and well-performed solos. A must-hear for fans of the Canterbury Sound.

There's a more modern approach to things, which is very refreshing. Bright and clear classic-sounding instrumentation, too. This approach reminds me most immediately of BEARDFISH. Most tracks are light and upbeat, yet skillfully presented. And being inspired by the Canterbury Scene, everything is so well balanced, each part distinguishable immediately. Another phenomenal current Prog band that comes to mind (see also my note below for "Tetraktys") is ONCE AND FUTURE BAND. [Please, nobody tell my buddies who introduced them to me how "low" their ratings are.]

The surprise banjo on "Buco nero" is so nice! Very unexpected. The featured banjo performer is also responsible for some guitars, double bass and vibraphone, all on this same track! Amazing.

Other sort of surprises to me include "Supermercato", which sounds like if Caravan had even more of a Pop Rock slant. The static vocal melodies even remind me of something that we might expect from Richard SINCLAIR early on in his career. In the least, a fun track. It's been a while for me, but couldn't the end of this track be a sort of callback to GRYPHON? Sort of Canterbury-meets-Ren'-Prog? On "La spia", the backend picks up with a very... unexpected Island(?!) vibe? It sounds pretty good. Just surprising. In other news, "In girum" is... just kinda weird lol. Pretty good though, I guess haha. Not a bad song on here. The middle of the album is a bit weak compared to the top and bottom.

And speaking of the bottom, things swing back into form, I think, on "La Luccicanza" to start the end to the album. Great melody and chord changes. Really, very nice. Again, classic Canterbury! And a weird, reharmonized homage to "Hey Jude"?! I'll take it! "Tetraktys" continues this positive swing back to "great" with what feels like EGG. I love me my Dave STEWART, so I'm all for it.

Personal Standout Tracks: T1, T3, T9