IL CAVALIERE INESISTENTE

Recent years have yielded an embarrassment of riches for fans of the many one-offs of European prog, as many have suddenly doubled their output after decades of silence. This is actually a simplistic take on the complex legacy of most such groups, who, during a 20-40 year "absence", even allowing for a lengthy dormancy may have devoted years out of their busy lives to a follow up. For example, Italy's FAVERAVOLA was set to work on a second album to follow their 2006 debut almost immediately only to be beset with one obstacle after another. The story of RPI maestros LETHE is that leader Stefano Fornaroli had a vision for the successor to the excellent "Nymphae" from 1993, but, since the musical version of Calvino's "Il Cavaliere Inesistente" is dedicated to him and he is absent from the production, he may be deceased or, at the least, incapacitated, hardly surprising given the march of days . What one might not expect is that, even with 4 returnees reporting from the "Nymphae" days, this is a musically disheartening affair.

With twelve tracks absconding with 1.2 hours, I am going to give LETHE the benefit of the doubt that they imparted the lyrical and thematic message of the original fantasy novel, but musically this is an unfocused dud. It's inferiority to the exalted "Nymphae" is stark, with not a single standout track or theme upon which to hang the frayed ambitions. They do not try to emulate that long ago classic, but settle for a parody of BANCO and LOCANDA DELLA FATE among others, no small thanks to Giacomo Balzarotti's raspy vocals comparing unfavorably to those of Fornaroli. Even instrumentally the numbers lack the commitment to complete what they started, or start what they ultimately send off, It's LETHE by the numbers and, if the best passages were culled from 8 or 9 of these tracks, it wouldn't look too bad as a long single or very short EP.

The opener is one of the stronger pieces, playing like the one that didn't quite make the cut 30 years ago. The ERIS PLUVIA like title cut offers promise, but tries to run with a second idea that doesn't work nearly as well. "Pagani" is probably the highlight, the closest to being fully realized, though also well under 4 minutes in length, and entirely instrumental.

I have tended to be lenient with many of these long anticipated gifts, but I can only infer that Stephan Fornaroli was the sort of guide who had to be there to inspire, no knock against him, and sadly there is no knight in existence who would bother saving what's here.