IL 13

Finally the 80's passed and the band seems to try to escape from the market logic and make some steps back its root. The result is surely not comparable to the oldies but something better than the late efforts came out. This is not a prog album but some ideas are quite good such as "Anche Dio", "Bambino", "Bisbigli" and the little masterpiece "Emiliano" that seems to come out from one of the great albums of the 70's. Unfortunately this is, at the moment, the last studio album followed by a series of live albums that cannot add anything to the musical history of the group.

Actually this is not a prog-album, although every now and again you can find here some echoes of the early 70's "BMS sound"...

"Sirene" is a pop-rock song with an instrumental intro ("Dove non arrivano gli occhi") and a short instrumental "proggy" outro ("Sirene - parte II") but in the whole nothing special... "Brivido" is another good pop-rock song but nothing more. "Guardami le spalle" is a good pop-ballad with Vittorio Nocenzi on lead vocals. "Anche Dio" is a little bit more in the "prog vein" with a good keyboards work, but it's not at the same levels of the early 70's albums... The poppish "Spudorata", with uninspired lyrics in my opinion is the weakest moment of this album. "Bambino" is good pop song with some echoes from the past where you can appreciate the performance of Francesco Di Giacomo on lead vocals. The bleak pop-rock "Tremila (rock prove)" and the ballad "Rimani fuori", both with lead vocals by Vittorio Nocenzi are absolutely nothing special and so "Mister Rabbit" and "Magari che (gargarismo)". "Emiliano", instead, is a little pearl that seem to be dropped out from the past. The acoustic ballad "Tirami una rete" and the instrumental for piano "Bisbigli" are quite good too.

"Il 13" is album very far from essential indeed, but it could be of some interest for collectors and fans.

This is the first "Banco" studio release since 1985. All of their eighties production (absolutely no exception) is to be ranged into the poorest one. In the meantime, "Banco" will release "Donna Plautilla" which was a compilation effort of their very early days (pre- Giacomo), an album called "Non Mettere Le Dita Nel Naso" which was more a Giacomo album (do you still follow me?) and a rework in of their album "Darwin" (released in 72). This exercise being recorded in 1991.

This album starts promisingly with "Dove Non Arrivano Gli Occhi". A short and spacey instrumental. Really pleasant and far much better than all their boring stuff of the eighties. I was really surpised to hear this and I wondered if "Banco" would revert to a certain prog approach in their music. Unfortunately, the answer is NO.

"Sirene" is just an attempt to a more rocking number. Poppish, insipid and useless. Not as bad as the disco/electro beat music which we have to suffer for such a long time; but just flat music without any vitality, heart, imagination. Dull actually (like "Brivido"). The next song "Guardami le spalle" is not a jewel but at least Giacomo is more involved and the melody of this low paced song is nice. A bit similar to some "Gabriel" production. When compared to the poor "Anche Dio", "Guardami" almost sounds as a good song.

Do you want to listen to "Banco" 's funky side ? Just have a try with "Spudorata". This is really a bad track, believe me. The best thing to do of course is just to press next. You'll reach one of the few good songs of this album : "Bambino". It opens brilliantly with a very passionate Giacomo (lead vocalist) but after two minutes or so of emotional vocals, the song ends in a rock and mellowish ballad; but again when compared to the other material, it stands out.

Some rockier number with "Tremila - Rock Prove", but again this is not a good track.

A nice romantic ballad is also worth a listen like "Tirami Una Rete". One of the best (but scarce) moment of this album.

The band switched from disco to pop/ rock which is better of course. Actually it could not be worse than their eighties production, but still we are not in front of a great come back. At this time of their career, "Banco" will only release compilations and live material which is probably the best thing they had to do. Two stars.

Il 13 is certainly not the unlucky number in the band's discography. As another reviewer noted, the band has return to its more authentic, lively sound with rockier sound as evidenced on the second song. Hints of higher complexity and vague progressive rock can also be heard in the instrumental intro and outro. The vocal is OK but does not always fit the rock/pop music; thankfully it sticks to Italian. Guitar and keyboard playing is better aligned.

When listening more carefully and going beyond melody, you can actually hear impressive short soloing by keyboards, bass or guitar. "Sirene" sounds fresh as the band hasn't sounded for a while.

However, as the record progresses, it reveals lack of substance although technically, some playing hooks are pleasure to hear.

Instrumental pieces remain highlights - listen to the complex "Emiliano" with a pleasant synth/piano runs and rhythm shifts. Even ELP could be happy to have such piece on their album in 1994.