NUOVA ERA

If there's one RPI band that I wouldn't hesitate in putting right besides the seventies Italian greats it's NUOVA ERA. And considering it had been 15 years since their last studio album I don't have to tell you how excited I was to hear the band was back with a new album. Before I could jump up and down though the next lines in the story explained that this was to be a compilation album of re-worked older tracks, demos, live versions etc. Yeah the air went out of that balloon pretty quickly. So the next question was do I bother. Thanks to Nightfly's review I was convinced, although believe me I didn't need much of a push. I appreciate Paul's review too for explaining where the tracks are from because the liner notes are all in Italian. NUOVA ERA are a trio now of keyboards, bass and drums. And yes i'd call them a power trio.This new lineup is featured on the first three tracks only.

I don't have any of the "Divine Comedy" concept albums so to have these first three tracks which all come from those two albums is just an honour. I say that simply because of how amazing they are. Let's face it these guys continued in that mind blowing style of their "Il Passo Del Soldato" album.

"Lasciate Ogni Speranza..." has this powerful intro with the organ and drums standing out. It picks up around a minute. Some huge bass lines here. Some guest dissonant sax 5 minutes in. "Canto VII" has some excellent piano early on then this chunky bass arrives a minute in followed by organ. Back to piano before 4 minutes then it starts to build. Nice. "Canto II" opens with piano as strings, bass and drums join in. Organ too. Love this stuff. It changes before 3 minutes. Some nice drum work here.

"Dopo L'infinito" is a remake version of the side long suite from their second album by this later 1997 lineup. Keyboards and a slow beat to start then it gets spacey 2 minutes in before the keyboards take over followed by a full sound. Some nice organ work here.Vocals 4 1/2 minutes in and when they stop the tempo picks up 7 1/2 minutes in.Vocals are back before 10 minutes then they stop again as the bass and drums lead after 12 minutes.The organ joins in too.

"E Il Tempo" is a demo from their third record and it's that early lineup from back then who performs this. Organ as it starts to pick up. Guitar before 2 minutes. Reserved vocals after 3 minutes. More passion before 4 minutes. It picks back up 5 minutes in when the vocals stop. More great sounding vocals before 6 minutes. It settles 8 minutes in then picks back up before 10 1/2 minutes with vocals.The organ leads 12 1/2 minutes in as the vocals stop again. Guitar and chunky bass help out too. Nice. Amazing tune.

"L'ultimo Viaggio" is a swing version from their debut with that early lineup once again. Piano followed by violin then the organ replaces the violin. Accordion before 3 minutes.

The last three songs are live from 1987 apparently so very early in their careers and obviously that's why they are included. A treat for the fans.The sound quality isn't the best but it's an interesting listen.

The first six songs explain why I love this band so much. In fact if the album stopped after track six I would be giving this 5 stars. Powerful and emotional music the way I like it. Sure the last three songs are a rare glimpse into the bands beginnings but I honestly won't listen to them again.