IN LIMINE

It seems like FINISTERRE have gone from being a more seventies inspired Italian band, to a very modern one with their most current release "La Meccanica Naturale". The one before that was "In Ogni Luogo" which is modern yet uninspired in my opinion. "La Meccanica Naturale" is a must have in my opinion for very different reasons.

I find the uptempo flute in the title track very annoying but the calm sections in between are good. The pulsating keys are a highlight 3 minutes in. Some nice sax and piano melodies before 4 minutes. Later in the song after 5 1/2 minutes the flute become gentle just the way I like it. "XXV" is one of the best songs on here. It has some mellotron on it along with reserved vocals, flute, acoustic guitar, sax, piano and light drums. Great tune. "Preludio" is kind of cool the way you can hear voices whispering in the background as these beautiful sax and piano melodies gently play. Electric guitar takes over for the sax later on. "Ideenkleid Leibnite Frei" is a light uptempo track that doesn't do a lot for me until 2 minutes in when some dissonant sax with drums, piano and bass leads the way. A minute later we get a very jazzy section that lasts for 3 minutes and ends wildly.Haha.

"Hispanica" opens with some gentle, melancholic flute that gives way to a brighter, pleasnt melody. Sax comes in and then vocals. The flute is back 3 1/2 minutes in. "Interludio" opens with acoustic guitar that is joined by flute. I think the deep sounds that follow are from a bassoon? Anyway I really like the melody of this one. "Algos" opens with reserved piano melodies that go on for over 2 1/2 minutes. It then changes to a full sound that is rather jazzy. I like it ! It then really picks up the pace for a while. Interesting section 4 minutes in as more bassoon-like sounds arrive along with different sounds that come and go slowly like chamber music with no real melody. 5 minutes in we're in an uptempo drum led melody as choirs come in and out including some PINK FLOYD-like synths(Dark Side of the Moon). A change before 10 minutes as sax melodies arrive before the reserved piano from the intro ends the song.This is an cool ride folks. Very impressive song.

"Orizzonte Degli Eventi" concludes the album. These last 2 tracks consist of almost 30 minutes of music by themselves. As good and adventerous as the previous track was you have to hear this one ! This recalls the Italian greats. Simply beautiful.The gentle vocals, the flute and the acoustic guitar are magic.The tempo picks up 3 minutes in, and a minute later the song has become more aggressive. Mellotron waves after 6 minutes are a nice touch. Electric guitar follows. It calms back down with vocals, then violin comes in around 8 minutes. Before 10 minutes it becomes quite haunting with almost spoken words and lots of atmosphere.Then the fun part comes in before 11 minutes as an uptempo keyboard melody leads the way. Electric guitar joins in as drums become prominant. More mellotron as gentle vocals and a calmer passage arrives.The vocals start to become passionate. Nice. Mellotron, guitar and drums lead the way as vocals stop to end the song.

This one really grew on me. Even after 5 listens I wasn't too fond of it, but if you like variety and adventure, and you have some patience...then this might become one of your favourites. 3.5 stars.