OUT OF THE GATE

This is the first solo album by singer Alessandro Corvaglia (known from Delirium, La Maschera di Cera and Hostsonaten to Mr. Punch). He has used the music to let off steam on some current issues, such as the tragedies of migrants who died at sea (Promised land), the absurd conflicts affecting humanitarian institutions by destroying hospitals or other building structures (White Ghosts) and cultural and social barbarism fed by 'bloggers' (Preaching Online). Alessandro Corvaglia has invited a wide range of guest musicians, including Gordon Giltrap (on the unreleased A Deed Within A Dream and 12 Towers) and members from Delirium, Finisterre, Hostsonaten, La Coscienza di Zeno.

The 10 compositions delivers a pleasant variety, it sounds very melodic and harmonic, tastefully coloured with guitars and keyboards, and topped with strong English vocals (Les Dougan from Aragon comes to my mind). From a mid- tempo with sparkling Minimoog and mellow saxophone in Promised Land to rock with powerful vocals and fiery guitar in Preaching Online. From dreamy with Mellotron choirs splashes, warm vocals and a second part swith swinging piano in Vision to folky with twanging acoustic guitar, piano and flute in Towers.

The instrumental A Deed Within A Dream starts with an acoustic guitar intro, then cheerful Minimoog flights, again acoustic guitar runs, the second part is Vintage Keyboard Heaven featuring Hammond waves, Mellotron choir eruptions, and Minimoog runs, in a bombastic atmosphere.

My absolute highlight is the epic final composition (close to 12 minutes) Out Of The Gate. First soaring strings, then a slow rhythm, turning into a bombastic climate with synthesizer flights, with powerful vocals, fiery guitar solo and Minimoog solo, in a mid-tempo. Halfway the music shifts to dreamy, then a strong build-up with emotional vocals and soaring keyboards, gradually the sound turns into more lush and bombastic. A long and moving guitar solo joins, culminating in howling runs, supported by a majestic Mellotron sound, goose bumps!

ALESSANDRO CORVAGLIA is the veteran vox 'of the RPI rock scene for having worked on LA MASCHERA DI CERA, DELIRIUM or HÖSTSONATEN. He has a voice pulling between that of Fish or even Gabriel; his music, his first solo album comes from musical memories of KING CRIMSON, CARAVAN but especially GENESIS and MARILLION just for the voice. Italian-style neo-prog with intense prog-rock melodies and a simplicity of arrangements making the notes flow one after the other, pouring in the recognition of his talent. 15 years to release his own album with arrangements rich in nuances, melodies drawing from the 80's in my opinion.

"Promised Land" frank neo-prog marillionesque attack and RPI, intense Fishian voice; 80's synths then Martin's singular sax; the chorus is quickly assimilated, the notes of the keyboards slide jazzy, on a story of migrants desperately seeking the promised land. "The Night of the Eyes" begins dark, bass printing a languid mid tempo tune; instrumental of BOF à la "Subway" where the guitar comes to brighten up the tones by making us leave in dream then it becomes heavier at the end. "Preaching on Line" for the characteristic RPI in punchy mode; Alessandro's voice is indeed the centerpiece before the calm, sensual instrumental derivation that starts with the symphonic Toto; the rhythm is engaged, the sounds saturated on heavy prog-rock with synths imposing digression and the eternal guitar solo which flows naturally smelling good the Génésisien Unitopia. "... and the Lady Came In" for the crystalline aerial and symphonic interlude, a mixture of piano and flute flirting with the early GENESIS. Melancholy tirade of all beauty of course with a beautiful and very strong dreamlike air; song that makes you love short music !. "White Ghosts" synths forward, guitar that invites itself, neo prog, ah I hear SAGA here, the voice on a good ARAGON; it's nervous, incisive and subtle enough to bring about an opposing instrumental break; musical sweetness against human stupidity, for those who like to know what the text is about. RPI prog in all its glory finally.

"Vision" begins from the 2nd side, from the time when the sides existed, crystalline and electronic ballad on one side, verbal jousting with tonality on one of the voices of ARENA and the other feminine in echo of Raffaella, piano interlude jazzy syncopated in cascade for the final, snubbing Peter Hammill. "A Deed Within a Dream" and a tribute to guitarist Gordon Giltrap on an acoustic arpeggio; Baroque instrumental for the symphonic and grandiloquent at the same time, borderline popular Italian folk dance, interlude apart. "Where Have I Been? "Calm title with Raffaela's aerial flute, warm voice of Alessandro; crescendic rise with percussions, organ and catchy repetitive voice; an intimate Fishien moment filled with emotion with an abrupt end. "12 Towers" for the second nod to Gordon, personal title leading to serenity and delicacy; flute, synth, acoustic guitar which strike out harmoniously intersecting notes, ideal for introducing "Out of the Gate" and its 12-minute long title; symphonic keyboard intro, Alessandro's incisive phrasing in mid-tempo for a provoking, determined, austere title; an agreed, classical neo-prog with its instrumental derivation; the keyboards, the Mellotron and the guitar put themselves in a cottony, intimate atmosphere; the finale with the guitar in front allows to give a dramatic sensation of Italian music, it rises slowly then explodes on a jazz-prog solo that can recall AL DI MEOLA for the swirling sound.

ALESSANDRO CORVAGLIA therefore waited a good fifteen years to deliver this album accompanied by musicians from FINISTERRE and HÖSTSONATEN. The parallel with Fish's MARILLION is evident at times, the rest of the RPI firmly in place. Basic prog with atmospheres, well-posed musical parts, breaks to take you even further; meticulous work of goldsmith making it possible to make known this typical sound without being too demonstrative too, ALESSANDRO did it well.