IN LIMINE

This album from "Finisterre" is obviously not very much cherished on PA. Four reviews with comment is a bit of a shame. I guess that the same disease takes place with Italian prog than with other genres. There will be hundreds of review for the PFM's, Banco's etc. (well, I am a bit exaggarating) while the rest of the style is almost ignored.

And it is the case with this "Finisterre" album as well, it is a pity because it is a good album. Of course (and I have mentioned this a few times already), I like very much Fabio's projects. When I listen to a song like "In Limine", I just fell apart. Such a beauty, such a great melody is almost not tolerable. A wonderful song that would convert any proghead into an Italian symphonic addict. One of the best one of this album IMO.

A brilliant sax will bring another dimension to "XXV". If the melody of "Firth" (of Fifth) is one of your favourite instants in prog music, I can only recommend you to listen to this wonderful song. Another highlight of this album. The spacey instrumental "Preludio" is just a transition track. For better things to come ? These won't be "Ideenkleid", the weakest song of the album. Only noise mixed with some jazz theme. Which is a bit weird for this band. Melody and beauty is their TM and this "track" is just leading nowhere.

"Hispanica" will lead us again into the symphonic sounds. Nice flute (which has not been too invadous unfortunately). The short "Interludio" reminds me the last section of the great "La Mascherra" song : "Il Viaggio nell' Oceano Capovolto".

To be honest, the last few numbers of this album are not really great. Half of the hopes are now on the epic : "Algos". It takes an awful lot of time to start (five minutes or so). Classic piano for a lenghty and flavourless opening, a wild passage to kick off would you think (after five minutes...). Unfortunately, what's next is not great at all : some electronic music without any spirit nor soul. No structure, no feeling, no harmony. Some nice wind instrument passages but too scarce to make this song interesting.

Fortunately, the closing and epic number brings some brilliance to this release. Great flute, beautiful harmonies; nice cellos. It was about time ! This is another jewel of a song. Bizarre, complex. It features Genesis oriented keyboards, more guitar work than usual (at last). Great rhythm as well. It is the best song of this album. Great opening and closing numbers. Twenty three minutes of beautiful music.

This album is too uneven to my ears. A good piece of music, but I had hoped for better things. There are some brilliant songs on this album, but not that many to make it a great album. Just a good one. Three stars.