POA

BLOCCO MENTALE released only one album in 1973 before breaking up.The title "Poa" is Greek for grass, no not that kind of grass ! This album is taken up with the subject of the enviroment, hence the title.I can't tell you anything else about the lyrics as they are all in Italian. There are two lead vocalists, although everyone in the band sings. I must admit i'm surprised i'm giving this 4 stars, but it really did grow on me after many listens. Still this is barely 4 stars in my opinion. I'm thankful I have the "Vinyl Magic" release, because as Finnforest points out it has better sound than the "Mellow" issue.

"Capita" has a fun intro with sax and drums that give way to a pastoral soundscape with fragile vocals. Lots of flute by the way with some great keyboard work to follow. Passionate vocals 3 minutes in as this gets quite uplifting. Back to that pastoral setting a minute later. "Aria E Mele" features some beautiful piano melodies. Vocals before 2 minutes and some raw sounding guitar. The dissonant sax after 3 1/2 minutes is a nice touch. Two excellent songs to lead off. "Impressioni" opens with a mellotron storm. Nice. Flute follows as mellotron returns. Piano after 1 1/2 minutes as the sound starts to build. Vocals before 3 minutes as it calms right back down. Strummed acoustic guitar then mellotron 4 minutes in. A full sound returns again. Great section 6 minutes in of guitar, drums and sax. The sax and organ are outstanding 7 1/2 minutes in.

"Io E Me" is interesting to start with as we get percussion, harmonica, tambourine and strummed guitar. Vocals and a calm 1 1/2 minutes in.It gets fuller with mellotron a minute later. The song becomes a catchy, vocal led tune. "La Nuova Forza" is my favourite track. It is bombastic to begin with then the keys take over. An Eastern sounding soundscape before 2 minutes. Vocals follow. This is actually very psychedelic right here. Excellent vocals after 3 minutes. The mellotron 6 minutes in is amazing. Guitar follows. "Ritorno" is very uptempo to open with pulsating synths. Flute joins in. Piano and calm take over quickly. Vocals 2 minutes in. The tempo picks up again 3 1/2 minutes in. Sax late. "Verde" opens with synths, drums and piano. Nice sound. Flute and vocals arrive as it calms down. The vocals become anthem- like with mellotron to follow.

There is a lot here that I like. A very enjoyable listen.

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