All Prog From Italy Appreciation Thread

I have not heard that Tom, but plan on it someday.  Nice Pulsar review too!

Well, I suffered immensely sleeping like a baby 

The Collab Zone = The Twilight Zone

A parallel universe to the standard PA one. As an outsider, there's no proof it even exists.
On topic: Banco's debut - growing...
                 Darwin! - nothing "wahay!" about it yet. Nothing at all.

*tries to assemble five mediocre reviews in a hurry*

oh...

*waits for list*

Darwin! just feels a little laboured and cold right now. Uninspired in a funny way. Debut feels rough and overly optimistic. Many ideas that are either overdone or just dropped...it's full of passion and hunger, though. And I love that. Currently what I'm searching for the most.

micky wrote: LinusW wrote: Darwin! just feels a little laboured and cold right now. Uninspired in a funny way. Debut feels rough and overly optimistic. Many ideas that are either overdone or just dropped...it's full of passion and hunger, though. And I love that. Currently what I'm searching for the most. again... we have similar tastes.. and perhaps my list might reflect that...  I do feel the same about Darwin.. .with one noteable exception.. how did the song 'Miserere Alla Storia' hit you...man that hit me like a ton of bricks.. and the fire, passion, and hunger in Metamorfosi off the debut.. that gets cranked to 11 every time I put that one. Wow....

That one is a given
About Misere Alla Storia - can't say it touched me that much. Not yet, anyway. And I don't think it will hit me like a ton of bricks all the sudden.

alrighty....the mighty mick mentions many masterful maestros of  mediterranean mesmerizingly metrically meticulous music

excluding PFM, Banco, and Orme.

The first fabulous five

1. Osanna -Palepoli

not really too much to say.. you've heard this... at least Oro Caldo.. but Senza Animale Respiro... christ...  watch the bleeding heart ripped out of your chest and beat with furious passion.  As great as Oro Caldo is... side 2 is screams to be heard.  Get it.. own it.. love it.

2. Balletto di Bronzo - Ys

this says it all...far better than my review.. or any I've read.. posted it many times...

Il Balleto di Bronzo - Ys

Il Balleto di Bronzo's Ys is an unequivocal classic, and stands as one of the very best albums out of Italy, and perhaps among the finest examples of dark, heavy progressive. However, newbies to the Italian scene might want to approach this one with caution, since it can be tougher to get into than some of the other popular Italian works. This was one of the first Italian albums I got, and I was frankly unprepared for it. The pyrotechnic keyboards, thundering rhythms, the angular, punishing guitars and the abrasive vocals made for a work that I found initially dense and unrewarding. For an album that many have hailed as the best progressive rock album of all time, I was a little disappointed. Of course, I've come around by now, and certainly hold this album in high regard as one of the jewels of Italian prog, but that personal anecdote should serve as a caveat for those expecting to be blown away immediately, especially if not particularly predisposed towards the more dissonant branches of progressive rock.

Still, Ys is a complete monster. The music on here is thundering, cacophonous and simply unrelenting in its sheer, brute force. This also stands as one of the best keyboard-based albums of all time; Gianni Leone employs the full range of classic keys, from Hammond, Moog and Mellotron to piano and harpsichord, pitting them in savage, fiery duels that will absolutely tear your head off. These are contrasted against violent guitar riffs and surging basslines, making for a chaotic, mindbendingly complex ride. The music is punctuated by Leone's caterwauling operatic vocals, which are perhaps the toughest part of the album to get into, but are eventually endearing and nothing if not emotional. Take "Introduzione", an absolute beast of a cut that builds from volcanic climax to climax, as Hammonds and Moog duel it out for supremacy. Take the opening riff of "Epilogo," with its brilliant arpeggiated theme that simply bursts at the seams with intensity. The entire album is a series of mindblowing passages, with few spots of respite to be found. An indispensable Italian classic, without a doubt.

Greg Northrup [September 2001]

3. Area - Arbeit Macht Frei

If you are looking for passion, for fire... oh yes we need Area.  Area is erroneously labeled on this site as a J-R group.. oh no they are far more than that... if you are interested in Italian progressive rock.. RPI.. you must know Area. Arabic music, rock, free jazz, folk, electronic, and the avant-garde all are mixed with this HIGHLY politicized  group. Let by one of the most dynamic singers in prog .. in all prog..... Demetrio Stratos this album was their call to arms.  You need this album.  A masterpiece.

4. Museo Rosenbach - Zarathrustra

a classic that all must hear... the vocals are not pleasurable.. but so ALIVE and full of passion.  Mellotrons.. Hammonds. .guitars all come in a HARD symphonic soup of superlative sound.  Read Maani's review of this if you don't believe me. It is that f**king good.

5. Franco Battiato - Sulle Corde di Aries

This album is a bit ..well... a LOT different from the first four which are quite hard..errr..heavy and quite full of passion that typifies Italian prog.. both in the music.. and the unique singing styles.  No discussion or knowledge of RPI or simply Itaiian music  is complete with dipping your toes into Battiato.  If you are a fan of RPI.. there will come a time when you are asked what Battiato era or album is your favorite. This album.. is pure magic.  I have recommended this album to some of the senior collabs here and..well.. read their reviews.  A brilliant album.


6-10 to come....

LinusW wrote: Aah, shivers down my spine. Goosebumps. Ys is a must.

trust me... it is.. you have to have it...  even if you aren't taken at first...  check Ryan's thoughts on the album...  it is worth staying with.even if it doesn't catch at first listen. 

LinusW wrote: Now it's time for bed. Will check in tomorrow morning to see if you've made any progress. Nighty-night.

nighty night.. might be an early night for me ...  hopefully I'll get more done...

micky wrote: LinusW wrote: Aah, shivers down my spine. Goosebumps. Ys is a must. trust me... it is.. you have to have it...  even if you aren't taken at first...  check Ryan's thoughts on the album...  it is worth staying with.even if it doesn't catch at first listen.

Teh Orb approves. The Epilogo is swiftly becoming one of my all-time favourite pieces of music, and I love that bonus track to pieces.