YS

Recently I've attended a live performance of Il Balletto di Bronzo . During the concert Gianni Leone (the only original member of the band in the present line up) told that nowadays he find progressive rock boring and that probably he wouldn't release another album like "Ys" . Nevertheless they played the whole album. I didn't find the performance completely convincing (I missed the guitar since now Il Balletto di Bronzo is a trio with only bass, drums and keyboard), but "Ys" is the best known work of the band and I realized that almost all the public was there only to listen to it. Why?

Actually, on the first listening you could find "Ys" a little bit boring. Foggy lyrics that draw dreadful images, gloomy vocals, anguish and fear dropping out every now and again. "A man is there with his face down / The ivy already covers his body / Black is the blood / On the wounds of his torn ears". Definitely a hunting and dark mood hanging over the whole album. If you're looking for something relaxing probably it's better avoid it. But if you're more patient I'm sure that you'll find that the music is rather good. Gianni Leone is a very skilled musician with a solid classical background. Lyrics are not the strength of this album, but here vocals are more like an instrument interacting with the band to stir emotions. There are many changes of rhythm, wonderful keyboards and guitar solos, powerful bass lines and drumming. You can find here many influences blended together in a very interesting and personal way. From classical to jazz, from avant-garde to hard rock. After all no wonder if many people love this work! And no wonder if Gianni Leone do not love this album anymore: he seems like a prisoner of "Ys" since after this album his inspiration almost run over. "And the darkness around him / Then was inside him.".

Well, I have to say that "Ys" is not my favourite "Italianprog" album but in my opinion it is an excellent addition to any prog collection.