INCANTI BIO MECCANICI

What makes this album so good? I was pleasantly surprised. I bought the mp3 album from Amazon (very economical) and was floored by that first 20-minute track. There's really nothing to dislike about any of it. Vocals are highly emotional and a cross between Banco and Museo Rosenbach. No fooling. The opening track has it all and it's hard for me to get past it (the remaining three tracks are great too).

If I had to describe this, it's 1970's italian prog-like that mixes the best sounds of Museo Rosenbach, a little bit of Luvo D'Columbo and Banco. Opening track has 4 excellent melodic sections that remind me why I love italian prog. Oh and if that's not good enough, they use the mighty mellotron.

I will put the first track up against Museo Rosenbach's Zarathustra anyday and go out on a limb to say they're "equal" in quality. And I'm stuck in the 1970's so I was skeptical at first. I felt like I went into a time machine to 1973 listening to this. Many might claim "lack of originality" but I don't care if this whole album is a tribute to the 1970's italian prog bands. It's so darn good.

The 2nd and 3rd tracks are good too but sort of a "coming down" from the masterpiece first track but still very worth of attention.

The final track picks up again where the first one leaves off with analog keys, 70's guitar solos, nice vocal harmonies and pleasant surprise with the trumpet which reminds me of the trumpet used on Jonesy's "No alternative" song.

The album has a melancholy feel with a hard edge to it at times. But don't let that dissuade you. There's pastoral sections blended with the best elements of that 1970's prog sound.

Amazon is selling this album cheaply (too cheaply I think). It's really worth checking out. If not just for the opening track which is in my top ten for the best 20 minute prog tracks (and I include this with Zarathustra, VDGG's Plague of the Lighthouse Keeper, Genesis supper's ready, etc..).

4.5 stars!! Look forward to their next album.