FRAMMENTI NOTTURNI

93/100 At first I thought "Fammenti Notturni" translated to " Night Families". However Francesca Zanetta (Unreal City's guitarist) corrected my faux pas and provided an explanation for the title Fammenti Notturni,

"Night Fragments. This is not a concept album, so there not a common theme for the entire album but every song is a sort of fleeting glimpse whose object is the darkness, the nocturnal darkness which lives in men, relationships, societies and cities."

Dark shadows abound down the wet unlit backstreets of Unreal City. Unreal City must have made a deal with the devil to deliver this beauty. Hope it's a 10 album deal. Unreal City pushed previous boundaries, evolved, and basically did what all great prog bands do. They moved on. Unwilling to sit upon their laurels, Unreal City progressed, delved far, deep and wide, fermenting into a fine vintage wine.

"Fammenti Notturni finds Unreal City charting virgin territory while retaining the signature sound which originally attracted me to Unreal City's world. "One for all and all for one" rings pure and drives the Unreal City train. The musician set an Italian table of delights for lead vocalist Emanuele Tarasconi passionate romantic vocals. Eamanuele also contributes piano, synth, Mellotron, clavinet, theremin, acoustatic guitar. Dario Pessina bass and backing vocals are as crucial to the Unreal City sound as the Mike Mill's bass and harmonies to REM'.

I wish I could describe "Frammenti Notturni" as well as Progachive Collaborator "Aussie-Byrd-Brother's" prose poem review of "Frammenti Notturni" fleshes out each section with razor sharp incites revealing vivid cathedral aural frescos plastered across the album that is "Frmmenti Notturni". I'll stick to my stick figure cave drawn review. I recommend you peruse Aussie-Byrd-Brothers most illuminating resplendent descriptions, historical background, and insightful observations on Unreal City and "Fammenti Notturni."

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. In the best of times we find ourselves smack dab in the middle of a golden era of modern prog. Admit it! We're living thru a glorious prog revival! For sure the subgenre of RPI is experiencing a lovely renaissance. Led by three bands of youngsters... Unreal City, Ingranaggi Della Valle, and IL Tempio Delle Clessidre. Three ambitious Italian bands like Jason and the Argonauts before them, slay the hydra, fleece the golden fleece and tame the three headed hell hound of Hades, as Cyerbus nuzzles Persephone's pomegranate cheeks and lips. Inspired, Pluto's concubine composes epic poetry and the members of Unreal City snatch out of the ether. It's magic! "Fammenti Notturni" bubbles and boils melodic riffs, proggy woodpecker reincarnated into powerful percussion , snappy bass basted in velvety vestal vocal sause. So happy to taste the newest addition to mega talented RPI bands leading the electric charge into a breathtaking Italian renaissance Shangri-La .

Someday, many years from now, music critics will point to this vintage Italian revival and Unreal City as the "good old days." On a more personal note, my wife and I are obsessive RPI buffs. Guided by progachive reviews, we've purchased over 70 RPI albums in the last 8 years. I may not be an expert, however fancy myself as a RPI connoisseur, I can claim with confidence the Italian renaissance is upon us. Enjoy it while you can! Smoke 'em while you got 'em!

Since the postman delivered my copy of "Fammenti Notturni" I've spun the vinyl at least 15 times. It's a rare prog album I immediately liked and yet "Fammenti Notturni" grows on me too. Like all primo prog albums, each listen reveals secret treaties, deeper depth, hidden jewels, shivers down the spine, and "Ah-ha" epiphanies missed the first time around.

I rank "Fammenti Notturni" as Unreal Cities 2nd best album, barely behind their debut Masterpiece- "La Crudelta Di Arprile" However, all three Unreal City albums weave intricate dazzling tapestries threading the needle, splintering the sweet spot, mysterious luxurious keyboards, juicy yet eclectic drumming of Marco Garbin. Marco adds tone and groovy flourishes that surprise and make me smile. Francesca Zanetta's guitar licks adorn songs beauteously without overpowering the core composition and I got to say- Francesca is my new mellotron muse! Emanuele Tarasconi's vocals are romantically divine and to die for. The members of Unreal City are an aural stream of consciousness that seeps, runs, finally rapidly bursts into brooks and silvery streams feeding a riotous river of red wine and honey. Speaking of red wine music...

I'm tempted to splurge on a bottles of deep dry red vintage Italian vinos, when immersing myself into "Fammenti Notturni". Pardon my boldness but may I take the liberty to recommend 5 delicious Italian Vino Rossos corresponding to "Fammenti Notturni's" 5 compositions? In order: Barolo, Barbaresco, Amarone, Gattinara, and Brunello.

Women? My wife and other women friends find themselves swooning into Francesca's licks and Unreal City's melodic, hypnotic romanticism. Not something you see often in prog circles.

In my opinion "Fammenti Notturni" = Best RPI album of 2017 ...so far! Don't be surprised if Unreal City continues to top themselves album after album after album. 5 out of 5 spicy, wooden, oaken vintage Italian Profundo Rosso Vinos. Essential addition to Italian Prog Collectors!