All Prog From Italy Appreciation Thread

The general sound of the album is clearly and freely inspired to early Jethro Tull, and also Stand Up features as the isnpiration here. The track “Scena Dopo Scena”, in particular, has a similar structure of the Tull's big classic “A New Day Yesterday”. Other tracks are more freely played with more improvisation and quasi-jazzy feel as “Verso la Foresta”. Very good work on acoustic guitar, I admit it. The whole record is convincing and should be in any prog folk collection.

The magnum opus here is the closer “Zoicekardìa (Il Volo)” which is the longer song, over 11 minutes with high level of progressiveness and improvisation with the opportunity for all the band's members to show their own talents. Lyrics are not in italian but, I presume, in local dialect from where the band comes: the southern part of Puglia. This is a peculiarity of the italian prog folk experience, since the folk side of music depends on, mainly, to the local traditions that still are very strong here. The most relevant example is Nuova Compagnia di Canto Popolare and their lyrics in Neaples' dialect.

And so Ubi Maior sing and play as they were a nouvelle hero who has to pass through unspeakable adversities, horrible wars and apparently endless fights, before he reach the warm light of home. It's not a case that the last track is “La Tua Casa Comoda” (Your Own Comfortable Home) a cover of the same-titled track of IL BALLETTO DI BRONZO.

The album is builded by seven strong compositions and opens with the wonderful “Vendetta” which is melancholic and soft for the first two minutes until it explodes in an exciting traditional italian symphonic prog plus some fiery electric guitar play and “nocturnal” lyrics: “I'm sharpening the blade in the night..:”. “Terra Madre” (Motherland) is a more soft tune and, to be honest seems built upon a non-prog structure enriched by remarkable job on synthesizers a la ELP's “Lucky Man”. Very pleasant listening.

“Livia” is an enjoyable short piano and synth gem. Great sensibility on drums. “Messia” is probably the most favourite of mine here, musically speaking, at least. It's the stronger one with faster tempo and explaining well the ancient greek word “PATHOS. The only remark is about lyrics that appears a little bit unispired even if about a science fiction story starting in the 2141 year when, according to Ubi Maior, (evil) men from Neptun will land on earth and they will try to destroy us and our planet. Fortunately a “Messia” will finally come, after so many troubles and atrocities.

“Oltre il Vento” (Beyond the Wind) is another shorter tune about 3,45 minutes played faultless with an appreciable delicacy. A tasteful introduction to “Nostos” epic (over 23 mns!!). This adventurous track has some memorable moments, indeed, but it's somehow weaker, in my opinion, than the other six. Pointless sometimes, but, fortunately the second half appears more varied and intriguing. A very good one, though!

What I could say more? Even not a pure masterpiece, Nostos is one of the most exciting records ever released in Italy in the last years. Highly recommended. It's destined to become a classic!!!