L'ISOLA DI NIENTE

This is my first purchase from PFM. I know I should have started with something like Per Un Amico, but when you see something from a group you'd like to try out for a cheap price, you grab it. And I'm glad I did, because if Per Un Amico is considered much better than this, then I'm really going to like that release.

Nevertheless, here we go. L'isola di Niente begins with the 10+ minute title track. It starts off with what sounds like a choir. I'm assuming this is the band since all five members have been credited with vocals. It's a strange start, but they're doing a wonderful job on the harmonies here. The music kicks in at shortly past the two minute mark and has a King Crimson likeness to it. The song moves from loud to quiet, alternating between loud instrument playing and choir-like vocals. It goes through several movements of this. I have to admit, I found this intriguing but a little hard to get used to at first. Since then, I've found this song to grow on me considerably.

The second track is Is My Face on Straight. The lyrics were written by Pete Sinfield and it's the only song on the album sung in English. Musically it is interesting and varies a lot, with some nice flute playing. Again, it takes a little getting used to. The third track, La Luna Nuova, is a great song, both powerful and complex, and full of energy with Beatlesque harmonies. Dolcissima Maria starts off as a light acoustic piece that's pretty and romantic, but then builds up to a majestic symphonic ending. The albums ends with Via Lumière, a complex instrumental of varying styles. A great ending to a very interesting album.

Most reviewers recommend starting with Per Un Amico, and I boldly went ahead and started with L'isola di Niente. Although not considered their best release, I'm living proof that you can start with this album and become greatly interested in PFM. Having only limited knowledge of 1970s Italian prog, I can't really rate this in comparison to other works from Italy. However, with regard to other European countries, especially Great Britain, L'isola di Niente holds up pretty well, well enough to deserve four stars. So if you're an American like me having a curiosity to explore PFM, this is a great place to start. I can't wait to get my hands on other PFM releases.