All Prog From Italy Appreciation Thread

jimmy_row wrote: LinusW wrote: There's been a lot of direct promotion via review in here lately, so let's discuss something for a change!  Favourite bands and why? Favourite album? Hidden gems? (a lot to talk about!) Underrated/unique/scary/mellow/rough/touching albums or songs? Favourite year for RPI? Let's keep this thread vital and interesting! Alright, who spiked Don's coffee this time!!?

I haven't been in here all week, so it was great to pop in and see the thread trying to come back to life

I believe my earliest RPI order was QVL's 2nd, Alusa Fallax, and Balletto.  From that point on the floodgates opened and I was ordering 10 or 12 every month.  The fever.....

One's wallet is quickly overcome...

And that's not even counting the newer stuff.  One could stay in the classic period for years.  But I try to cover both because I want to support new talent while also giving love to the under-appreciated relics.  Damn, some of those old lost albums really deserve some love. 

There's things that I prefer about both so I can't really pick one; it depends on what I'm in the mood to hear

hmm...well I tend to more picky about the "rough" ones and the more experimental music because it takes more effort to understand.  The melodic, folky, classical stuff seems to always win (one of the big advantages the RPI movement had over the European symphonic movement).  But when I find a good "grower," it seems to take a higher place in my mind.  But still, at this point you'll notice that most of my top RPI albums are the melodic types.

What say you?

jimmy_row wrote: What say you?

It really is the rougher and unexpected that grabs me the most. I feel I need that uncompromising extra push to really get that amazing emotional contact that is what you want.


Edited by LinusW - January 31 2009 at 14:37

I feel like an intruder breaking in on this conversation, but I thought I'd offer the perspective of someone relatively new to Italian prog.  When I decided to venture beyond Banco, PFM, and Le Orme about ten months ago, I became hooked!  There is so much out there, and I really needed guidance.  I used the PA ratings and some lists that I came across (Greg Walker's masterpiece list, Italianprog.com, etc), but I really would have like some kind of "get these first, then if you like this look at that" advice.  Since then I've collected about 250 albums (like Finnforest said, a wallet buster!) and still get enthusiastic about obscure bands (even some on this page I haven't heard of, like Eugenio Finardi or Aktuala).  I've really appreciated recommendations (thanks Finnforest!) and lists like these.  Those waters are deep and murky, but there are some fabulous pearls to be discovered!

jimmy_row wrote: ^Feel like an intruder?!?  Dude, we'd love to see you around more often.  250 albums ain't bad for a "newbie," that's way more than I have, haha.  What are some of your favorite obscure ones?

Way more than I have as well
You should get yourself an "expert" tag

jimmy_row wrote: The problem with recommending stuff for newbies is that you can't just start with one album.  Look at what Linus just said - there's so many styles and fields that if you really want an "overview," you need to be patient and go with what calls for you at first or you need to get a handful of stuff.   If I was going to give someone an "overview," I would say something like this:   RDM - Contaminazione or Banco - Darwin! (this depends on what type of classical influences you like and your orientation to vocals) Le Orme - Uomo di Pezza Osanna - Palepoli Area - Arbeit Macht Frei QVL - s/t Arti e Mestieri - Tilt or Perigeo - Geneologia Aktuala Celeste Rocky's Filj Sorrenti - Aria one of Battiato's early albums New Trolls - Concerto Grosso     EDIT:  just pick three or four from a list with different styles covered, like what I did here.