FOUR EYES IN THE SILENCE

STEEO is the child of Stefano Ruggiero basically, an artist living in Turin/Italy. The compositions are bearing a solid psych prog fundament, obviously including some kind of Pink and some kind of Floyd. With 'Four Eyes In The Silence' he has produced a rather interesting album after gathering a band of excellent musicians, for example to name second guitarist Marco Roagna. Besides Ruggiero's vocal presence Beppe Crovella's multi-varied keyboard contributions are striking most in my opinion.

The starting ballad Rejoice sounds like produced on the dark side of the moon in some way - but when turning away from this simplifying comparison you will detect some really nice melancholic guitars and mellotron/electric piano impressions. At least with I'm In Love Ruggiero begins to leave the common path oriented at his paragons, implements individuality more and more. On One Day the album is changing to an uptempo rocking behaviour for the first time and Meaningless 'releases the brakes' at the latest.

For die-hard psych/space prog fans the last track Macro is probably designed to be the album highlight, a nice impulsive cosmic excursion. The most experimental point here including samples and violin - well done folks!.'Four Eyes In The Silence' is deeply inspired by Pink Floyd, however provided with enough uniqueness in order to state that this is a recommended purchase. A successful album, less experimental, more focussed on charming ballads and catchy melodies, let's say swaying between psych prog and psych pop. This worthy approach deserves 3 stars really.

From the very first moment this album (2010) is layered with Floydian atmospheres (1967-1972 era). But the tasteful and alternating vintage keyboard sound by progrock veteran Beppe Crovella adds a captivating extra dimension to the music. A very special experience is to hear the omnipresent Mellotron in this early Floyd inspired sound, because Rick Wright hardly used the unsurpassed Mellotron (I only know Julia's Dream with the Mellotron flute section). The vocals in the vein of Roger Waters and the Gilmourian guitar runs (Meddle era) also add that distinctive early Floyd climate. A few examples.

Mellotron flute intro and in the end majestic Mellotron choir eruptions in If You Walk With Me.

Mellotron flutes and violins in I'm In Love.

And again majestic Mellotron choirs (in combination with the Hammond organ) in Take My Time.

A very special feature in Steeo their music is the creating of pleasant atmospheres, blended with interesting musical ideas, like the accordeon, mouth organ and a wah-wah drenched guitar solo in If You Walk With Me. And final part with fuzz guitar in In The Silence and wonderful psychedelic atmospheres in Meaningless and the final track Macro.

Also nice to listen to is the blend of Sixties rock, pop and psychedelia (evoking the Syd Barrett era) in the songs Singin' Songs I Can Do Anything and Take The Time.

Although it's more 'regression' than 'progressive', I like this debut album by Italian Steeo very much. Unfortunately it turned out that Steeo was another promising one-shot-band from Italy.

My rating: 3,5 star.