PAPILLON

They get a little too cutesy with their second album. The conceptual title suite of PAPILLON, based on a children's story, is definitely the weak spot. Some of the playing is fine, particularly the keyboards, in the instrumental sections. But the vocal passages, incorporating saccharine woodwind orchestrations and even a children's choir at one point, are just sappy beyond belief. The concept (about a marionette) certainly does little to help.

The rest of the album is a good deal better, though, comprised of a surprisingly enjoyable take on Beethoven's "Pathétique" sonata bookended by a brace of jazzy bagatelles. So it rather acquits itself in the end, but this is far from essential Italian prog. Mainly for collectors.