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micky 
Special Collaborator 
Honorary Collaborator Joined: October 02 2005 Location: . Status: Offline Points: 46833 |
 Posted: January 14 2009 at 15:02 |
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 hahahha... yes it is a change isn't it. I'm so busy dusting off Raff's throne when I get home that I am never around here much either hahahit truly is a joy to see you again Andrea...  |
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The Pedro and Micky Experience - When one no longer requires psychotropics to trip
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DamoXt7942
Special Collaborator
Joined: October 15 2008 Location: Okayama, Japan Status: Offline Points: 17493 |
Posted: January 15 2009 at 01:47 |
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Welcome back and nice to meet you, Andrea.
 And, with all members here I wanna say congratulations for your being married and becoming a lawyer.
 I'm a beginner of Italian prog and please let me know more. Thanks.
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Mandrakeroot
Forum Senior Member 
Italian Prog Specialist Joined: March 01 2006 Location: San Foca, Friûl Status: Offline Points: 5851 |
Posted: January 15 2009 at 04:30 |
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You are a b*****d man
   ! Welcome back, my friend!Meanwhile we have made progress ISP and IP at all levels... If you read this thread... And other that I opened about IP... Your head burst!
Unfortunately I am only anxternal element of the ISP Team... But it's like I did in the team! Edited by Mandrakeroot - January 15 2009 at 04:31 |
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Mandrakeroot
Forum Senior Member
Italian Prog Specialist Joined: March 01 2006 Location: San Foca, Friûl Status: Offline Points: 5851 |
Posted: January 15 2009 at 05:05 |
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For all that love IP:
FINISTERRE — Storybook
Review by akajazzman
BLOCCO MENTALE — Poa Review by DamoXt7942 (DamoX)
Blocco Mentale is, in English, blocked mentality (mental block?). Namely, this word means to be mentally broken out. Although we can't understand Italian and the meaning of this word, we can realize this album work is really mentally broken world with once listening. Here and there violent horn section will come and go hoppin' an jumpin', strict rhythm section will squeeze our neck, and vocal...the most important section I think...plain and passionless but lazy and rough vocal will dirtily step and trample upon our brain. Without the typical Italian progressive rock style, this another wonderland (I wanna name this as Bloccomotive Mentaland :P) should be absolutely Italian spilitual land, of course, not tranquilizer but stimulant. Very interestingly and importantly, I consider the album should construct one era. Let's break our mentality violently together and say good bye to the present world. LOGOS — Logos Review by Windhawk (Olav Martin Bjørnsen) Special Collaborator Neo Prog Team — First review of this album —
Symphonic prog seems to be a sort of foundation for this outfits explorations; as layered keyboards and synths are central elements throughout; most times used in a symphonic manner. Sometimes as the backdrop for a song or a segment; but most times given a dominating role throughout as main melody provider and mood creator. The piano gets the pulled out on a few occasions; and the organ even more so; although the latter is used in a more subdued manner while the former gets to dominate quite a bit - even if used less extensively. Clean, undistorted guitar licks adds textures and nuances to the songs; a few riffs and power chords are utilized to create darker atmospheres on occasion, while the guitar soloing mainly is of the atmospheric, melodic variety which ios a specialty in symphonic progressive rock music. The songs themselves have a sound that do remind a bit of Eloy at times; but with much stronger symphonic leanings and more complex compositions in general. And of course with a distinct Italian flavour; a certain melodramatic tendency that is a constant factor on this production. The sound quality and mix of this release is a poor one though; in terms of quality we are talking a demo of the old-fashioned variety in this case. Fuzzy sounding at times, instruments lost in the mix on occasions, some noise pollution and many cases of long pauses between individual segments in a tune. And the two long compositions here, although consisting of many compelling segments, also have some that feel glued in rather than naturally belonging; a case of limited possibilities when mixing these tunes I'd guess. Still, it's a good release. One that ideally should have been re-recorded and/or remixed; but the ideas and moods are strong enough to make this an interesting production as is too; in particular for fans of symphonic progressive rock. CALLIOPE — Citta' di Frontiera Review by DamoXt7942 (DamoX)
This Citta' di Frontiera , the CALLIOPE's second album, was my first CALLIOPE. As generally said, new Italian progressive rock bands should be sometimes influenced by English progressive rock, and I'm afraid CALLIOPE should be...I think my estimation is a little correct. Well, this phenomenon is not so bad. Their album is constructed by lots of naturally heavy rock songs, and the songs sometimes make their rhythm varied UNNATURALLY. I suppose the unnaturally-varied rhythm was done by them for neo-Italian prog style. But I'm sure it's absolutely okay. Because they seems to be very happy to play the music by CALLIOPE's style and their songs are so hard but so pleasant. The instrumentals and vocal are very lively and even charming. Indeed I cannot recommend this album as a typical masterpiece of Italian progressive rock, but can as a straight rock album. Enjoy it! PREMIATA FORNERIA MARCONI — Photos Of Ghosts Review by Mandrakeroot (Andrea Salvador)
That said, what to expect from 'Photos of Ghosts'? I see in 'Photos Of Ghosts' a great album, not only for the presence of 'Celebration', one of PFM's evergreen. The new mixes have greatly helped the musics to become immortal and the lyrics in English language are good, although a little forced, in some cases. Finally I recognized in good manner the mix between Jazz and Symphonic Rock that already I Quelli (and then I Krel) had developed and that the passage to PFM finally could (and should) give. The lack of 'Photos Of Ghosts' are the lyrics, too invasive for this PFM without a singer. In conclusion, I just know that 'Photos Of Ghosts' is another evergreen of the RPI, another legendary and often misunderstood album (unless if we speak about 'Celebration'). |
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DamoXt7942
Special Collaborator
Joined: October 15 2008 Location: Okayama, Japan Status: Offline Points: 17493 |
Posted: January 15 2009 at 08:23 |
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Mondo Blocco Mentale I was taught by memowakeman and very impressed at another Italian progworld.
And...Photos Of Ghosts...is good album...and pardon me but...Per Un Amico is much better...
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Mandrakeroot
Forum Senior Member
Italian Prog Specialist Joined: March 01 2006 Location: San Foca, Friûl Status: Offline Points: 5851 |
Posted: January 15 2009 at 08:32 |
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Well... Pardon me... But I prefer 'Photos Of Ghosts'
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DamoXt7942
Special Collaborator
Joined: October 15 2008 Location: Okayama, Japan Status: Offline Points: 17493 |
Posted: January 15 2009 at 10:30 |
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Mandy, this is my revenge for your review!
PREMIATA FORNERIA MARCONI — Per Un Amico
Review by DamoXt7942 (DamoX)
Honestly, this Per Un Amico by PREMIATA FORNERIA MARCONI (P.F.M.) was the first Italian progressive rock album for me. As we can say about P.F.M., their worldwide-debut album Photos Of Ghosts was produced by Pete Sinfield and, to tell the truth, Pete's production could let me know about them. However, my first P.F.M. song was, not Cerebration but Appena un Po' , and that encounter should be great! What a beautiful song... Appena un Po' could do make me mercilessly weeping. One of the most beautiful track Appena un Po' , frexible-speedy-jazzy style Generale , soft and smooth album-titled song Per un Amico , avantgarde and immediately-variable petit- suite Il Banchetto , and stable but strong epilogue Geranio ...each song has its own position, role and character. This product should be absolutely strict as one story. Although this album be easy to hear even for English-prog freaks, it should be one of the most Italian and progressive works. I wanna say only...listen with your ears like Dumbo. :P |
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DamoXt7942
Special Collaborator
Joined: October 15 2008 Location: Okayama, Japan Status: Offline Points: 17493 |
Posted: January 15 2009 at 10:34 |
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Anyway, my above-written review is Per Un Amico's 200th anniversary one.
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memowakeman
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator Joined: May 19 2005 Location: Mexico City Status: Offline Points: 13032 |
Posted: January 15 2009 at 13:43 |
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As i told you before, i'm glad you liked the Blocco Mentale album!!
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Follow me on twitter @memowakeman |
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memowakeman
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator Joined: May 19 2005 Location: Mexico City Status: Offline Points: 13032 |
Posted: January 15 2009 at 13:48 |
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Ciao Andrea, it is great to see you again, and great to see you are doing well in your new life, welcome back and i am looking forward to your reviews and albums comments!
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Follow me on twitter @memowakeman |
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DamoXt7942
Special Collaborator
Joined: October 15 2008 Location: Okayama, Japan Status: Offline Points: 17493 |
Posted: January 15 2009 at 17:31 |
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Listening to POA by Blocco Mentale is my daily work and everyday I go crazy.
And Mitopoiesi by Coral Caves (Finn's recommendation) now I'm listenin' to...good rock art!
Sooner gonna write a review so please wait a moment.
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NotAProghead
Special Collaborator
Errors & Omissions Team Joined: October 22 2005 Location: Russia Status: Online Points: 7840 |
Posted: January 15 2009 at 18:01 |
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I know, there are 2 reviewing styles: some prefer to read what has been written before them, others "don't want to be influenced" and don't read other reviews. Both styles have the right to live. Personally I prefer the first option. DamoX, have you read this one: http://www.progarchives.com/Review.asp?id=178127 by Finnforest.? I mention it only because his review helped me to look at the album with different eyes. And it is much closer now to my view on this album. "Il paese deli balocchi" is rather a dream than a depression. Maybe I'm wrong, but it seems to me you are hurrying to review as many albums as possible. IMHO sometimes it's worth to "stop for a minute" and think better, read the story of a band and an album etc. Reviews only win in this case. Please take my note easy, honestly I did not want to offence you. I see you are familiar with many RPI works, I'll wait for your next reviews. Good luck! P.S. I could simply PM my thoughts, but I decided to post them in the forum because I know - many of us (including, I must confess, me  ) sometimes write reviews without proper preparation.Edited by NotAProghead - January 15 2009 at 18:39 |
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Who are you and who am I to say we know the reason why... (D. Gilmour)
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Finnforest
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator Joined: February 03 2007 Location: The Heartland Status: Offline Points: 16913 |
Posted: January 15 2009 at 20:28 |
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"have you read this one: http://www.progarchives.com/Review.asp?id=178127 by
Finnforest.? I mention it only because his review helped me to look at
the album with different eyes. And it is much closer now to my view on
this album. "Il paese deli balocchi" is rather a dream than a
depression."
NAP.....thanks so much for these words. That is perhaps the most meaningful feedback I have ever received, to help someone hear something differently, reading your words is like energy to keep doing this. Sincere thanks to you. And I agree with your thoughts on reviewing. (What follows is general, not about Damo) Sometimes difficult albums take many months to digest, and in these cases review should follow many months of occasional listening. When a band puts a year or more into creating something, the least we can do is listen many times over many months to make sure we understand everything, and have given ample time to grow and learn about it. Playing something, putting it away for a month, pulling it back out can sometimes have a profound effect on what you hear. Generally speaking of course...there are times when a quick review is required for some reason and one must do their best--and there are some albums that take less time to "get." But when time is available without deadlines, it is preferable to give an album time to move you, and give yourself time to learn something about the band for which to share with readers, and time to organize thoughts in a meaningful way. |
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DamoXt7942
Special Collaborator
Joined: October 15 2008 Location: Okayama, Japan Status: Offline Points: 17493 |
Posted: January 15 2009 at 20:37 |
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NotAProghead, I appreciate your important opinion and suggestion.
Finn's review, I've read after my writing review. It's a pity I cannot understand Italian so the artists' thought may be different from my feelin' by the albums.
And, FWIW, always I try to write reviews as soon as I listen to the album because I think my passion and feeling is the most important for me.
As you said, I might hurry up to get passion from Italian prog albums (recently I could get lots of RPI albums and I'm so glad).
Your opinion is very impressed and important for me. Now I'm a student of RPI. Please let me know lots.
Thanks all.
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DamoXt7942
Special Collaborator
Joined: October 15 2008 Location: Okayama, Japan Status: Offline Points: 17493 |
Posted: January 15 2009 at 20:41 |
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Always thanks Finn.
I've mentioned as above and honestly I'm enjoying RPI.
If we can, it's also okay for us to write re-reviews after listening to the album again and again.
How do you think?
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Finnforest
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator Joined: February 03 2007 Location: The Heartland Status: Offline Points: 16913 |
Posted: January 15 2009 at 20:46 |
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Damo, your point about writing quickly to express immediate passion is certainly a valid one!! Good point!
I will not argue that, but, at the same time, does your passion for a great album really dwindle in just a few months time? Mine grows, if anything. |
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DamoXt7942
Special Collaborator
Joined: October 15 2008 Location: Okayama, Japan Status: Offline Points: 17493 |
Posted: January 15 2009 at 21:16 |
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Finn, I'm so glad you veterans give me many inputs.
My passion for these great albums has grown, and in future will grow more, of course.
I'm very happy to meet excellent Italian prog albums, and meet you all here!
Thanks all.
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NotAProghead
Special Collaborator
Errors & Omissions Team Joined: October 22 2005 Location: Russia Status: Online Points: 7840 |
Posted: January 16 2009 at 01:43 |
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Damo, keep on proggin' and reviewing!
I agree with you and Finn too - fresh impression is often an important thing. |
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Who are you and who am I to say we know the reason why... (D. Gilmour)
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Mandrakeroot
Forum Senior Member
Italian Prog Specialist Joined: March 01 2006 Location: San Foca, Friûl Status: Offline Points: 5851 |
Posted: January 16 2009 at 05:17 |
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Each view is worthy of respect. I only said that I like more 'Photos Of Ghosts'. It is clear that both albums are masterpieces! |
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Mandrakeroot
Forum Senior Member
Italian Prog Specialist Joined: March 01 2006 Location: San Foca, Friûl Status: Offline Points: 5851 |
Posted: January 16 2009 at 08:50 |
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My last RPI review:
PREMIATA FORNERIA MARCONI — Serendipity
Review by Mandrakeroot (Andrea Salvador)
Now I have the same feeling with 'Nuvole Nere'! Ok... This is my review: 'Serendipity' is the real return of the true PFM, also if in POP style. But this is not a problem. This because 'Serendipity' is an album written with great passion and with great passion. For the first time PFM wrote the songs for the voice of Franz Di Cioccio, because in the 80's is only the need for a singer to make is that it was Franz Di Cioccio sing. Serendipity is produced by Corrado Rustici, a great conoisseur of RPI, because former Cervello, Uno and Nova. Ok, the songs are POP (and 'Automaticamente' is a pseudo Dance song with dance piano and electronic drums that seems written by a teen band). But in general, 'Serendipity' is a higher level album because it is the writing to be superior level. The lyrics are signed not only by PFM but also by Fernanda Pivano, Franco Battiato, Pasquale Panella and Daniele Silvestri. and this is a great good for the quality. As in all the album produced by Corrado Rustici (Eric Clapton, Whitney Houston, Zucchero, Herbie Hancock, Jefferson Starship, Claudio Baglioni, Negramaro, Elisa, Luciano Ligabue... For examples) he wrote opr playing or arranged at least one song. Here he writes and plays guitar in concluding Free Rock 'Exit', appendix to 'Io Sono Un Dio'. Returning to PFM 'Serendipity' paints a band with a cohesion and a power that is reminiscent of legendary 70's, here with the knowledge to be able to demonstrate that it had no more space to carve. And also if 'Serendipity' is only a POP album, it please me many. So I think that 'Serendipity' be a great album... Also if POP. |
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All Prog From Italy Appreciation Thread
Topic Options
Andrea Cortese wrote:
Thank God for some of the newer Italian Prog bands, who are giving us real Prog fans music we can enjoy and love in these modern times. When metal Prog and neo Prog have taken over the definition of Prog, its nice to see some bands no go that route, but take the lonlier, but more nobel, route of post- Canterbury style Prog. Some of these tracks are amazing. Gripping and strong largely instrumental Prog. When the singer sings, I sometimes want him to stop, he's a little atonal at times. But thats the exception, the music is largely pure prog for progressive people like you and me. Not jazzy at all really, just very Proggy. They're not going to knock D.F.A. off their mantel of best Italian Prog of the 90s/00s, but they're still very good. 
Good album.
3rd Premiata Forneria Marconi's album 'Photos Of Ghosts' is the first PFM's album with English lyrics. In my opinion this album is a great example of the attempt to internationalize the RPI and one of the few succeeded attempts in this process. Also because Pete Sinfield and ELP had caught right here. Not as in the case of BMS, that were too Italian.