CAPOLINEA

Apparently this is going to be the last album by this Italian prog band who have decided to call it a day after 25 years, which surely must make them one of the longest lasting prog bands around. All of the lyrics are in Italian, which means that this album will only have limited appeal which is a shame as this trio are creating quite a storm about something. The first number, "Star" begins life as an organ recital but it gives way to a bouncing rock number that contains some great finger popping on the bass, as well as some driving rock guitar that moves this band a million miles away from the normal neo-prog scene. They contain modern elements yet at the same time hearken back to a long lost age when bands were quite prepared to go their own way and not worry about what others within the genre were doing.

I think that is one reason why I have enjoyed this album, in that it is different from the norm and the listener is never quite sure what is going to happen next as it may be a peaceful acoustic guitar interlude or something much more powerful. Anton's are never going to be fashionable and the language barrier will turn off quite a few people which means that many people who would enjoy this album will not even try hearing it. It may not be essential but it is enjoyable.

Originally appeared in Feedback #70, Oct 02