A.D. 2010 - LA BUONA NOVELLA

I was looking forward to listen to this album since the date PFM announced they would go into the studio. Production is really good. Instruments sound clear; voices might sound too high to me but considering the lyrics play the first role I can't complain. The mix is good as well. I'd like to point out the 'live recording' feeling that can be perceived in this album. These imperfections as a product of recording altogether at once are present. But we all know there is no other way to transmit real sensations to the listener. I will review each track in a musical approach. I think lyrics deserve they own review.

[Universo e Terra] This song is a completely inedit intro to the Buona Novella. Using great keyboard atmospheres, soft guitar melodies and a consistent rhythmic base PFM takes you into their music in crescendo; a catchy rock riff with some distorted violin sounds, and then a vintage organ bridge prepares for the next track.

[L'Infanza di Maria/ La Tentazione] An acoustic arrangement for this song is complemented with some beautiful passages with a clean electric guitar arpeggio and violin melodies that turn on a "prog ballad". Franco Mussida and Franz di Cioccio voices sound clear and expressive. The slow timing is interrupted by a passage that remains me one of PFM's greatest songs: la Luna Nuova. Tambourine and drums prepare a rich rhythmic pattern which will be complemented with bass line, distorted guitar riff, violin pizzicatos by Lucio Fabbri and overdriven organ, afterwards the song goes back to its original mood.

[Il Ritorno di Giuseppe/ Il Respiro del Deserto] Electric guitar is the hearth of this song. Moog sound and a very expressive guitar solo are remarkable. The guitar and voice passage at the end of this song is superb.

[Il Sogno di Maria] Not much to remark on this song. A very well executed folk song with some moog and guitar solos.

[Ave Maria] Starts with a guitar lead recalling the original Schubert composition with the same name. It is another ballad and as in any rock ballad the electric guitar is the protagonist.

[Maria nella Bottega di un Falegname/ Rumori di bottega] This is a folk song with some good moments and a catchy chorus. The moog plays a principal role in this song, a great solo performed by Gianluca Tagliavini is worth to be listened to.

[Via della Croce/ Scintille di Pena] This song is one of my personal favorites. Although the musical structure and the harmony used are predictable it is full of expression and beauty; a very good prog rock song. Guitar and violin unison is remarkable.

[Tre madri/ Canto delle Madri] A great bass intro by Patrick Djivas goes along with di Cioccio voice. PFM performs again the most beautiful music, a ballad with folk tones.

[Il Testamento di Tito] This is a folk song and I believe there is not much to say musically speaking. Great moog leads, but the real value of this song resides in the lyrics.

[Laudate Hominem/ Ode all'uomo] What a way to finish this album, this is another of my personal favorites. The music is based on the one written for the original album but PFM has made a great job turning the classic arrangement into a prog rock song. Distorted guitar solo sounds great at the end of the song, when PFM recalls another old song: Geranio, just to take the listener to the final stage, when the original arrangement is revisited with church organ, sampled chorus and synth, plus the adition of the PFM's original members in a brilliant collaboration making the musical accents sound so dramatic.

I consider this album is a good addition to PFM's discography. Regardless they had to go away from the prog level reached at Stati di Immaginazione, the music in this album still have the prog spirit. I am sure this album will please PFM and Fabrizio DeAndre Fans.