FLEETING ARDOR

Title of the EP aside, fleeting is not a word that would describe Baffodoro, a band from the north of Italy and around since 1998. They celebrated their 25th band anniversary not long ago. I can't comment on their band lineups or history since they don't list personnel names on most online sources I searched. But investigating social media, it looks like the line-up has been fairly consistent for years, perhaps a few changes. This release adds the vocalist Stella Baraldi to the mix. Unlike the problem many Italian progressive rock musicians speak of---not being able to find gigs---Baffodoro would seem to have defied the odds. Their social media shows a working band that seems to have remained pretty busy over the years both recording and playing smaller venue, well-attended shows.

The 2022 release, Fleeting Ardor, shows continued growth and refinement in their production. It sounds not so different from other post-rock albums I've heard, with slowly-building waves, occasionally clean, then with more distortion and volume that can conjure unease, calm, sometimes even both in the same breath. But Stella's earnest vocals give Baffodoro a huge advantage over instrumental-only post-rock. Whether she is subdued and laying back low in the mix or pushing hard to rise above the band, the emotional quotient is raised considerably. Her voice reminded me of Dolores O'Riordan a bit, even without the Limerick accent. I loved the band's pivoting from clean to saturated instrumentation and even some piano which is always a feather in the cap for me personally. Their sound mix of guitars and keys wash over one and feed the imagination. I especially enjoyed the quiet, contemplative keyboard piece "Empty Steps" which functions as an intro to the standout "By Any Name" closer. I would love to be in some picturesque Italian town on a lovely summer night hearing these songs under the lights. I wish the band well from Minneapolis. There is a video for "Breathe Out" on Vimeo, and you can purchase this EP on their Bandcamp page. Beautiful stuff.