Progarchives.com has always (since 2002) relied on banners ads to cover web hosting fees and all.
Please consider supporting us by giving monthly PayPal donations and help keep PA fast-loading and ad-free forever.
/PAlogo_v2.gif "Progarchives.com Homepage") |
|
Post Reply 
|
Page <1 258259260261262 277> |
| Author | ||
TheGazzardian 
Prog Reviewer 
Joined: August 11 2009 Location: Canada Status: Offline Points: 8690 |
 Posted: March 28 2010 at 17:56 |
|
Quasar Lux Symphoniae (http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=293). I don't think they're too well known, there's only review of their newest album on PA. I just happened to see that review on the front page when it was written and grew interested enough in it after reading it to check out their website (http://www.qlsprog.com/), where I enjoyed the streaming samples. When I saw it available on Synphonic and LaserCD about a month later, I promptly ordered a copy. It's pretty good, from what I've heard. It features both male and female vocals, and it's quite melodic music with some nice epic parts. The female singer, Annalisa Malvasio, in particular really impressed me.
|
||
 |
||
|
Finnforest
Special Collaborator 
Honorary Collaborator Joined: February 03 2007 Location: The Heartland Status: Offline Points: 16913 |
Posted: March 28 2010 at 17:59 |
|
|
Oh yeah, I've heard them on myspace, though I don't recall my impressions.
I read that as GLS, not QLS....dyslexic moment  . |
||
|
||
|
TheGazzardian
Prog Reviewer
Joined: August 11 2009 Location: Canada Status: Offline Points: 8690 |
Posted: March 28 2010 at 18:03 |
|
To be fair, the image quality isn't the best. Further supporting the belief they're not too well known, it was the highest quality one I could find.
|
||
|
||
|
AtomicCrimsonRush
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator Joined: July 02 2008 Location: Australia Status: Offline Points: 14258 |
Posted: March 29 2010 at 03:46 |
|
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
AtomicCrimsonRush
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator Joined: July 02 2008 Location: Australia Status: Offline Points: 14258 |
Posted: March 29 2010 at 03:47 |
|
|
||
|
|
||
|
||
|
Todd
Special Collaborator
RPI / Heavy Prog Team Joined: December 19 2007 Location: California Status: Offline Points: 3472 |
Posted: March 29 2010 at 17:27 |
|
QLS is pretty darn good--I particularly like Abraham and Mit. Their newest effort, Synopsis, is surprisingly good too, especially after being out of the scene for about ten years or so. Their other three albums are out of print, and Greg Walker really had to struggle to get Synopsis in stock. But for those who like fairly conventional, melodic retro-prog, it's a great band to get into.
|
||
|
||
|
Nightfly
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator Joined: August 01 2007 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 3659 |
Posted: March 31 2010 at 13:00 |
|
|
Anyone know anything about this book and Is it worth getting? Is it in English or Italian? Thanks in anticipation....  |
||
|
||
|
Todd
Special Collaborator
RPI / Heavy Prog Team Joined: December 19 2007 Location: California Status: Offline Points: 3472 |
Posted: March 31 2010 at 13:27 |
|
|
Here's all the information you need on that one, Paul. It's a nice book, but certainly nothing new, just a catalogue as you can see on the page. The CD doesn't contain any demos, live, or unreleased tracks to my recollection but is rather a sampler of fairly well-known groups and works.
|
||
|
||
|
Nightfly
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator Joined: August 01 2007 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 3659 |
Posted: March 31 2010 at 13:36 |
|
|
Thanks Todd, I'll have to think about that one. I would prefer the Augusto Croce Italian Prog book but 45 euros is a bit steep and I've heard that you can get near enough the same info from the website. Nevertheless when I'm feeling a little wealthier I may splash out.
|
||
|
||
|
Todd
Special Collaborator
RPI / Heavy Prog Team Joined: December 19 2007 Location: California Status: Offline Points: 3472 |
Posted: March 31 2010 at 13:41 |
|
|
Yeah, I got Croce's book, but the information is exactly what's on the website, but now it's outdated! It is nice to look at a real book for things, but if I were you I'd spend the money on the music.
|
||
|
||
|
Nightfly
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator Joined: August 01 2007 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 3659 |
Posted: March 31 2010 at 13:50 |
|
|
Good idea Todd, my list of wanted RPI stands at around 50 at the moment and I could make it a lot larger without a bit of self restraint.
|
||
|
||
|
Finnforest
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator Joined: February 03 2007 Location: The Heartland Status: Offline Points: 16913 |
Posted: March 31 2010 at 14:37 |
|
|
The ever growing lists.......sigh......
|
||
|
||
|
Nightfly
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator Joined: August 01 2007 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 3659 |
Posted: March 31 2010 at 17:01 |
|
|
^ It never gets any shorter Jim, for every one I buy I probably add two!
|
||
|
||
|
Finnforest
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator Joined: February 03 2007 Location: The Heartland Status: Offline Points: 16913 |
Posted: April 01 2010 at 16:05 |
|
|
A title that divides many RPI fans......examples of each argument......
Forse Le Lucciole Non Si
Amano Più Locanda Delle Fate Rock Progressivo Italiano Review by
LinusW
A product of a second wave of Rock Progressivo Italiano, Locanda Delle
Fate's debut (and only studio
album during the 70s) never really grabs me. And if you read all the
other slightly sceptic reviews
for this album, you'll notice we're all pretty much in agreement as to
why.What you'll find on this album is remarkably pleasant; most often mellow, by-the-book symphonic prog. The rich, subtle arrangements of Genesis, with democratic distribution of guitar and keys in intertwined, delicate arrangements. You know?that slowly moving melange where you find dynamics in a smaller scale rather than in the bigger structures. Add to that some of Camel's syrupy feel-good melody-making and dreaminess à la The Snow Goose taken a bit further, played with silken gloves and almost fairy-tale timbre and motifs at times. The more Italian bits are the prominent, gladly rollicking piano that enriches so much of the peninsula's music. There is some nice flute interplay to be found as well. All in all, not much to complain about objectively, if you're interested in this type of sound. Lush and warm for the most part, often complex and intricate arrangements to enjoy along the way, with this laid-back, romantic atmosphere likely encountered before in (for example) PFM's or Banco's lighter compositions if you've dabbled in the sub-genre before. Leonardo Sasso's vocals even remind me a bit of Francesco DiGiacomo at times, only less intense and operatic. And to add another positive thing, the textures can be a real treat with the full sound dual keys and dual guitar can provide. It is truly disappointing then, that as the album unfolds, things never really change. You're just drenched in a seemingly endless assault of what's mentioned above. There is absolutely no album dynamics, but just this sweet, symphonic, gluey mass to wade through. It's just boringly flat. Even worse is that when given time, you'll start to notice how uninspired some of the melodies and motifs are. They feel like routine, based on instruction more than the heat of the moment. And I miss the joy that could have been such a great complement to this music. And when the band honestly tries to stir things up a little, with some heavy guitar riffs and a little contrast, there is this clearly noticeable conflict present; a will to break out of the mould as well as being eager not to disturb the oh-so-precious flow already established. And in holding this sacred, the album loses a lot of energy and ear-opening effect to preserve a tedious consistency. Where is the drama!? As a result, the album easily drifts away from you and takes place as nice background music, but nothing else. Locanda Delle Fate is obviously a group that had the potential to make something great, with the assembled musicianship present, but this, the safe way, wasn't the way to realise that. I certainly understand the raving reviews about the heart-wrenching beauty and romantic grandeur, but if you scrape a bit on that glossy surface, you'll perhaps realise the flaws of the concept as well. A bit too derivative, a bit to flat, a bit too uninteresting. And far from an essential RPI work. Choose for yourself. 3 stars, by a hair. //LinusW
Forse Le Lucciole Non Si
Amano Più Locanda Delle Fate Rock Progressivo Italiano Review by
tszirmay
There was definitely a long hiatus in my desire to sink my teeth into
this marvelous RPI
masterpiece, mainly because so many lustrous reviews have already been
consecrated to
the brilliance of this recording. But I got a bit anxious and decided
that it was time to take a
shot at it. While certainly breezier than the conventional rawer forms
of the celebrated Italian
Prog School, this jewel takes firmly its place on the pantheon of
progressive classics. Why
do you perhaps impudently ask? The gentle symphonics are majestic both
in breath and
scope, simple emotional ornamentations where everything gels to
perfection, complex
sections (what a fabulous drummer!) and extensive interplay. This can
happen easily as
there are 2 guitarists and 2 keyboardists who interweave with immense
facility, gilding the
arrangements with a wide spectrum of classical, jazz, Italian folk and
rock frills, seemingly
guided by confident impunity. The rustic elegance of the instrumental
opener (isn't that the
way all prog albums should start?) "A Volte un Instante di Quiete"
coronates the disc with
immediate class, savvy guitar and graceful piano on one side, shuffling
rhythm section
holding the wheel and Hammond and flute on the other side. Devastatingly
effective, what a
buzz when the gentle synth fanfare enters the fray, recalling classic
early PFM and slings
the listener straight to heaven when the guitar parallels the theme,
riding shotgun with
class and fervor . This juxtaposition is not just with the playing but
also with the constantly
shifting moods and the sonic mindgame being formatted by their muse.
Absolute killer
track! Bravo!The whopping title track is next , this time introducing
Leonardo Sasso's warm
and melancholic voice and blending well with the erect Michele Conta
piano, the
shimmering fragility is chilling , a harsh guitar riff and a blazing
synth conspire to elevate
this even higher , the vocals getting bolder, an adventurous series of
slurpy licks on guitar.
Some harpsichord like sounds (the brilliant clavicembalo) adorns this
arrangement with
impossible delicacy, letting this monster grow at its natural pace. The
playing delves ever
deeper into the elaborate emotional qualities so specific to Italian
Prog, the piano doing
supremely well warding off the sultry flute and ushering in the
grandiose theme once again.
Bravo 2! "Profumo di Colla Bianca" keeps the Ferrari pedal to the metal,
not relenting a bit ,
now proposing a sibilant swirl that warmly envelopes the soul, pungent
bass, seductive
drums and a masterful piano (what a glorious instrument when well played
, too bad it took
me so many years to realize it fully!) pushing the melody along
confidently. Sasso's
splendid singing is more emotive yet still subdued at first, a dab of
floral flute, some
jangling guitar bits and beeping Polymoog patches. The music is eerily
tasty and stylish,
certainly some of the best RPI anywhere and we are just 3 tunes into the
album!!!! Bravo
3 ."Cercando un Nuovo Confine" stays more into more traditional terrain,
a pastoral romp
that gets possessed at times but well within the dreamy streams of folk,
a rural escapade
into the Italian countryside. "Sogno di Estunno" is definitely rock,
juicy guitars spurting nicely
amid the flute follies, quieting down to get the mind reeling and, on a
dime, reverting to
getting the blood boiling anew. The Jethro Tull winks are obvious but
the whistling synth
solo comes as a pleasant surprise, the dripping piano Aqualunging
forcefully. At the risk of
repeating myself, the Giorgio Gardino drums are tantalizing, both in
creativity and oomph!, a
truly gifted percussor. Bravo 4 "Non Chiudere a Chiave le Stelle" glows
with intense fire, a
passionate ballad like only the Azurri can dish out, tender vocals and
frail embellishments,
a devastatingly gorgeous slice of prog. Bravo number 5! The stormy
"Vendesi Saggezza" is
a nearly 10 minute mini-epic that spans all the inherent qualities
expressed by the
musicians, where suggestive guitar leads, twirling flute and ominous
backbone riffs keep
this firmly anchored in the "tradizione", nothing fluffy or vapid, just a
fine example of
resourceful music that tries not to plagiarize or ride some nebulous
fad, thus standing the
test of time. Butterfly synths bubble with finesse and grace, solidly
held by the drum control
and macheted by some flowery guitar soars. Bravo 6! By this stage, there
is little doubt we
are in the presence of a gold mine album for all time. My hands hurt
from the clap! (no not
the STD!) "New York" is a short bonus track that fits well within the
mood, a genial little
marvel that perpetuates the glee with hardly a hint of weakening the
effort; in fact the
colossal chorus is to die for, an upward spiraling vortex of utter
beauty, a high pitched voice
(Ezio Vevey?) Bravo, the 7th ! . Definitely a keeper, a must addition
for any serious prog
collector, pizza and pasta lovers and anyone with a heartbeat. Sorry
Johnny ! 5 dewy petals
|
||
|
||
|
Finnforest
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator Joined: February 03 2007 Location: The Heartland Status: Offline Points: 16913 |
Posted: April 02 2010 at 10:31 |
|
|
A new addition which i hope many of you RPI hounds will check out.
Lagartija - Another great new band from Piacenza!
 
Studio Album, 2009
Ricordi? Lagartija Rock Progressivo Italiano Review by
Jim
Russell
Special Collaborator / RPI Specialist Lagartija are a 5-piece band from Piacenza, Italy. They formed in October of 2008 and recorded their material quite quickly, releasing "Ricordi?" in May 2009. Originally six, bass player Fabrizio Maffei left the band after the album came out and now vocalist Sara Aliani handles bass duties as well. The band members come from diverse musical backgrounds and it flavors their music well. Sara has performed in choir as well as in rock bands. Guitarist Andrea Poggi notes post-rock as an influence. Keyboardist Fabrizio Delledonne has jazz and classical experiences. Saxist Christian Piga comes from a jazz and brass band background, and drummer Michele Molinari had too many influences to choose one. All claim affection for progressive rock and Radiohead. The band now concentrates on live performance as they work towards finding a deal for a second album. Musically Lagartija is a fascinating chameleon who took my ear instantly. They are an example of modern Italian progressive rock with RPI sub characteristics and they possibly fit other subgenres too. While not obviously influenced by the classic 70s Italian scene, they possess the same free spirit of experimentation those bands had in an updated, yet still richly Italian-vibed sound. (Not unlike Il Babau I Maledetti Cretini, recent Arpia, and Architrave Independente in that respect, though they sound different.) There is a bit of everything here: rock, alt-lounge, smoky art rock-jazz, and a bit of avant-garde. There are tons of sax and piano, Italian vocals, and dramatic artistry (they've even employed ballet around them as they perform live). One can hear some post-rock influence at times, other times the guitar can be more aggressive. Lagartija have good potential if they stick together and I believe their debut will have wide appeal. Contact the band through Myspace or Facebook to buy a copy of the CD. -Jim Russell/Finnforest 
Album Review: An enticing slice of life
I still love to be
surprised by
music and it's usually the lesser-known bands who do it. Lagartija
are a 5-piece band from Piacenza, Italy. They formed in October of 2008
and recorded their material
quite quickly, releasing "Ricordi? (Remember?)" in May 2009. Musically
Lagartija is a fascinating
chameleon who took my ear instantly. They are an example of modern
Italian progressive rock with
RPI sub characteristics who may have attributes of other subgenres too.
While not obviously
influenced by the classic 70s Italian scene, they possess the same free
spirit of experimentation
those bands had in an updated, yet still richly Italian-vibed sound.
There is a bit of everything
here: rock, alt-lounge, smoky jazz-rock, and a bit of avant-garde.
There are tons of sax and piano,
Italian vocals, and dramatic artistry (they've even employed ballet
around them as they perform
live). One can hear some post-rock influence at times, other times the
guitar can be more
aggressive yet still hypnotic. The compositions are often moody
and sparse, sometimes they are busy and upbeat, yet they are always
fulfilling. Frequently, the clean electric guitars of Andrea Poggi will
be strumming as a base
point to counter the excellent piano and synth of Fabrizio Delledonne.
The rhythm section of
Fabrizio Maffei and Michele Molinari is self-assured while not trying to
be flashy, rather
supporting the songs. Sara Aliani's vocals are emotionally confident
yet fragile sometimes,
introspective, somewhere between Arpia's Paola Feraiorni and Cat Power.
Perhaps the most overtly
"lead" instrument in many cases is the sax work of Christian Piga. His
presence is strong although
not in an attacking VDGG way, but often a more soothing and laid-back
way. The final presentation is
a sophisticated, eclectic mix of dreamy tracks somewhere between jazzy
rock, post-rock, and Italian
prog, but never committing to just one dance. A truly great
rhythm of crisp guitar and drums coaxes sweetness from e-piano and sax
in "Primo
Contatto (First Contact)." Oh how I wish I knew what the lyrics meant
on this album, because the
music takes me places. Shimmering key effects gives a spacious feeling
towards the end. "Istinti"
layers a lovely synth over sax and fades too soon. "Monade" is a
stunning track where guest
clarinetist Eliana Cruz lays an intoxicating solo over an ever building
stormcloud before Aliani
releases the rain in a vocal that instantly conjures Sigur Ros in my
head, followed by a lovely
rainbow of harmonized vocals over piano. A fantastic, blissful piece of
playing on everyone's part.
"Sospesa" again lays on the heavenly piano with fine work by Poggi and
Molinari in the pacing. The
title track has some really clever change-ups and an especially fun,
punchy little piano part that
makes me do some "air keys" each time I listen. I must look like an
idiot when I listen to this CD
in the car because my head is swaying back and forth and bopping up and
down. Strong playing and a
hint of darkness permeate "Neve di Nazareth." "Serena Danza" grabs my
heart and never lets it go,
the piano in the opening reminding me of some of my favorite Italian
prog like QVL, with a
classically tinged, formal feel. The vocal and sax lay on the emotion
to lovely backing chords.
Oh, nice stuff, as the piano comes back at the end. The 11-minute
closer "Lacrime Inconcluse"
builds to the most muscular moments with even some monster looped guitar
chugs that sound like the
tanks rolling into town, and lots of spirited jamming by all members. "Ricordi?"
was a pure pleasure to discover out there in cyberspace and I strongly
encourage this
band to stick together and make another album. There is great talent
here and strong songwriting
potential. For a self-released project the sound quality and mix are
superb, you can hear
everything very well. The back cover photo was a real treat as well,
showing family members of
guitarist Poggi dancing in the back yard. It makes the overall package
so much more meaningful to
me when bands share something intimate rather than some giant spaceshape
created by a media design
company. The album is dedicated to Poggi's father who is shown on the
album cover. This delightful
little band is my underground find of 2010 so far, so I encourage you
RPI hounds to track this down
if you liked the groups I found last year like Architrave Independente
and Il Babau & I Maledetti
Cretini. This is very different than the "normal RPI band" but just as
rewarding. |
||
|
||
|
Todd
Special Collaborator
RPI / Heavy Prog Team Joined: December 19 2007 Location: California Status: Offline Points: 3472 |
Posted: April 02 2010 at 11:33 |
|
|
Jim, great review and introduction to the band. My copy is on the way--I can't wait! I'll let you know my impressions.
|
||
|
||
|
tszirmay
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator Joined: August 17 2006 Location: Canada Status: Offline Points: 6673 |
Posted: April 02 2010 at 12:39 |
|
 things get a bit depressing in modern life and he wrote what he did under the influence of his mood. Just joking..... I can see his point though, as I have some albums that others adore and I can't get into at all like Norway's Magic Pie and their Mothers of Desire . Vive la difference. Because I understand the language, it perhaps helped in my enjoyment.
|
||
|
I never post anything anywhere without doing more than basic research, often in depth.
|
||
|
||
|
AtomicCrimsonRush
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator Joined: July 02 2008 Location: Australia Status: Offline Points: 14258 |
Posted: April 03 2010 at 00:22 |
|
|
A new review to add to my ever growing RPI collection. I havent heard a bad RPI album yet.
 Uomo di Pezza by Le Orme
Cacophonous, symphonic and beautiful prog at its highest level. Uomo di Pezza is as good as it gets from the masters of RPI, Banco del Mutuo Soccorso. Let’s get straight into this track by track. You can then draw your own conclusions. Una dolcezza nuova is the first track that is heavily reliant upon piano and quiet vocals to begin with after a lengthy introduction of pipe organ sounds. The cathedral sounds are intriguing, giving it a religious stately feel. Gioco di bimba is a short piece that is as melodic as the track from Felona E Serona simply called Serona. It is a pop orientated tune that is pleasant to the ears and a beautiful instrumental. La porta chiusa is a 7 and a half minute triumphant track that begins with loud symphonic stabs of prog virtuosity. The bass keeps the same melody as the vocals and this works very well. The track is split by massive instrumental sections. The band launch into an amazing discordant keyboard and bass trade off with intricate busy drum metrical shapes. There are sparse orchestral arrangements, featuring primarily Pagliuca’s organ phrases and the spacey guitar of Tagliapietra. The minimalist feminine sections are augmented by the masculine rock sections balancing out the quieter moments. The sonata form structure is powerfully realised, utilising an opening theme, transition, a second theme, and a final closure. This is one of Le Orme’s finest compositions from their early albums. It all settles down and we hear a lone voice followed by cathedral pipe organ sounds. The track then detours into a synth line and heavy speed keyboards. It slows for a section then speeds into a frentic freak out of bass, drums and keys, the band at their best. Rossi’s drumming is frenetic and chaotic; he just pounds the hell out of those drums. Then it ends abruptly with a scorching Hammond explosion. A master work. Figure di cartone is a track that focuses on an acoustic guitar and harmonious vocals. It begins with the beautiful acoustic vibrations of Tagliapietra, a real beauty that meanders like a flowing stream. Then we are thrown over the waterfall as the majestic wall of keyboards bursts through like sun bursting through dark clouds. There is a nice tune throughout and this is broken by shattering keyboard passages. The keys sound like a buzzsaw at times, a bit like the sound in ELP’s solo in Lucky Man I will admit. Aspettando l'alba begins with clean acoustic picking and shimmering keyboards. It is very atmospheric prog; the way the vocals are answered with instruments is admirable. The flute segment works well, and in fact the whole track is high pitched instruments to match the falsetto vocals. This is a more uplifting track then some of the previous work on this album. I love the effects of an ocean and the way the song interchanges time signatures. The ending features awesome synth washes like waves on a beach and a scintillating solo of keyboards. The atmosphere is unbelievable. It stops and moves back to the intro to bookend this masterpiece of prog. Alienazione is a fast paced dynamic instrumental that relies heavily on intermittent drumming and keys. The sound builds constantly and is quite dark and ominous. The next section allows the track to breathe and changes a new direction that keeps the metronome working overtime with changes in time signatures. Then the last movement is the apocalypse which is a soundwave of multi-layered textures and nuances. This is absolutely incredible music and there is a focus on a pounding Pagliuca motif with chaotic punctuation. The fuzzed keys in the mid section adds a new element, and it feels portentous and off kilter. The piano is an estranged tune that does not seem to gel with the other instruments, and this alienates the listener, hence the appropriate title. This last track sealed the deal for me. I believe this is better than Felona E Serona, though they are different conceptually and musically, I would rather this wildly inventive album out of the two if given a choice. It is not as restrained as Felona and is certainly an excellent example of RPI at its most innovative. At about 32 minutes this is a rather short blast of prog albeit one of the best from the legends of RPI. Edited by AtomicCrimsonRush - April 03 2010 at 00:30 |
||
|
|
||
|
||
|
AtomicCrimsonRush
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator Joined: July 02 2008 Location: Australia Status: Offline Points: 14258 |
Posted: April 03 2010 at 00:35 |
|
****
Felona E Serona by Le Orme is an infamous RPI album that has so much to offer it is impossible to ignore for serious progheads. I was introduced to the band by those melodic keyboard strains at the beginning of Sospesi nell incredible. And what an introduction it was, such as ambient uplifting sound. The vocals are pleasant sounding and clear and Italian so I do not know the lyrics but it is positive in tone with an enriching atmosphere throughout. I was reminded of PFM or Banco del Mutuo Soccorso but Le Orme still are original in their own right. The basslines are incredible and the lengthy pads on keyboard sound similar to Rick Wakeman from Yes at times. There is a wonderful lengthy instrumental with keyboard effects with a futuristic feel, even space rock in one section. I love when there is just a bass, keys and drums, the band are really in full flight in these passages. The music seems to transport you to another place, like all good prog, and there is even an accomplished drum solo in this opening track. The clanging bells herald the arrival of Felona and an acoustic guitar. The melody is quirky and accessible, almost like a pop track. ‘Nothing really matters except to be alive and that is taken care of by the symbol of the sky’... uplifting, as I said. Although this is not as wildly experimental as the previous track, I like this a lot. There is a lilting flute at the end of this too. La solitudine di che protegge is very melancholic and serene, with twinkling piano flourishes and soft Italian vocals. Each track is so diverse and unique it really is quite a journey that Le Orme takes the listener on. L’equilibrio is a quiet ambient piece that capitalises on the keyboard pads and high falsetto singing. Sorona begins very slowly with very atmospheric music and falsetto singing. It is a short piece that works as a transition between tracks and leads to the next. Attese inerte has a very intriguing bass line and begins with pads then builds to a strange ascending synth line. This feels a lot darker than the previous tracks particularly due to the droning synth motif. An agreeable Hammond sound ensues over the ascending drones. The vocals continue in time to the rhythms. A high pitched whine sounds creepy but works well and we have a passage with all these elements working against each other that somehow gels together. Ritratto di un mattino begins with an ethereal keyboard sound that builds like a stalker creeping on its prey. The album seems to have become darker as it progresses. The clear echo vocals are very estranged over the long keyboard pads. A slow melody phrase locks in and very nice guitar work is the feature. The next track, All infuori del tempo, is a return to master class performance with a strong acoustic rhythm. The vocals are melodic and there are some eclectic time sig changes. The minimalist approach of chords on a guitar and impressive vocal performance hold the track together, but it launches into passages of keyboard brilliance and erratic drumming. The closing track Ritorno al nulla is majestic and instrumental based. There are some incredible keyboard passages on this that lift it into the stratosphere. Of particular note is the repetitive motif that rises and falls throughout; it enters into a new level for Le Orme as one of the best instrumentals you will hear. As musical virtuosos they were unsurpassed in their time. The drumming is frenetic at times, and then it all ends on one long note. A wonderful track and an incredible album that you should hear at your nearest convenience. 4 solid stars. |
||
|
|
||
|
||
|
AtomicCrimsonRush
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator Joined: July 02 2008 Location: Australia Status: Offline Points: 14258 |
Posted: April 03 2010 at 00:36 |
|
|
Before I post these reviews on PA reviews can I get some feeedback from the RPI experts here... thx!!!
|
||
|
|
||
|
||
|
Post Reply
|
Page <1 258259260261262 277> |
| Forum Jump | Forum Permissions You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot create polls in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum |
All Prog From Italy Appreciation Thread
Topic Options
Finnforest wrote:
