IBIS

So, this was the end of Nico di Palo's experience outside New Trolls. And if you think that, after their comeback in 1976, they were referred to as the "Italian BeeGees", you'll understand how much I whish that nothing similar happened and Ibis could... "keep on moving", as they say in the last song of this album ("Noi" is only a b-side to a single). A very good album, indeed, coming from a period (the mid-seventies) where symphonic prog- rock seemed to have nothing more to say - or at least, began to be the professional critics' favourite scapegoat. "Ibis" isn't experimental at all, but shows the band in their peak not only of creativity but, above all, of personality. So, after the bombastic introduction of "Premessa", in "Narratio" Di Palo stops trying to turn his band into the Italian version of "Yes" (and he stops also imitating Steve Howe) and shows again its love for heavy rock, for flaming guitar solos, and ramping rhythms. But the band manages also to give its sound a mediterranean flavour with a good taste in melodies and acoustical passages. "Passa il tempo" is a very simple ballad, but its simplicity matches with a very good tune and stunning vocal harmonies. "Ritrovarci qui" is another heavy-rock track, but it features also the melancholy and dramatic mood of the Italian "romanza", while "Strada" is the ideal meeting point between between Deep Purple and any jazz rock or Canterbury band. Let's give this little jem what it deserves, and feed its reputation with four good stars.