LANDSCAPE OF LIFE

OSANNA were one of the more adventerous RPI bands out there back in the day. Their second release was a soundtrack which I haven't heard, but that debut "L'uomo" is a great, hard rocking album with Italian vocals. I consider it to be much better than the album I'm reviewing today. And what to say about "Palepoli"? A stone cold classic that is beyond adventerous, and quite difficult. The word "legendary" fits here.

By 1974 with the release of this album "Landscape Of Life" the band had decided to take the more commercial route. They sung in English here, and they clearly shouldn't have. There's some cringe-worthy moments with those vocals. Throw in some ballads and we have a watered down album that isn't close to 4 stars in my world. Still, this is OSANNA and there's some good stuff on here like the 10 minute opener mainly, which recalls their earlier music. The title track is quite good as well. I like the electric guitar playing over the acoustic guitar, and the way they contrast them too. "Two Boys" rocks pretty good but "Fog In My Mind" and "Promised Land" are so disappointing, unless you like sappy vocals. "Flume" is pleasant and the closer is quite good.

So a hit and miss affair from these legends who were about to fold the tent.