JET LAG

A wayward, unfocused album follows up the great 'Chocolate Kings'. Who knows why? It's only one year later and 5/6 of the members return for another excursion. No doubt the album has its moments, "Jet Lag", "Meridiani" and "Cerco La Lingua" exemplifying prime PFM. The quirky "Left-Handed Theory" is the best indication of the band's increasing infatuation with jazz/fusion, and though they're quite good at it, it's unfortunate that this would dominate over their epic/symphonic element. "Storia In 'LA'" is a good song, but it seems neutered by a production soft-lens focus: the cleaner tone that would exemplify so many late '70s prog albums. (It almost sounds like one of Brand X's safer compositions). With a reach toward the middle ground on several tracks, like "Breakin' In" and "Traveler", 'Jet Lag' constitutes a textbook-definition "transitional album". Unfortunately they transitioned to less exciting material, like much of their prog brethren in the late '70s.

The recording of the instruments seems dampened compared to previous efforts, and curiously, Bernardo Lanzetti doesn't exert himself as forcefully as on 'Chocolate Kings'. There's plenty to like here, but very little to love (or hate). Far more important than just a "completists-only" album, but any prog fan would be advised to get ALL the albums that came before it before venturing into this part of the band's evolution.