ECHOES FROM THE DEEP

It took a while for me to warm up to this 2012 recording released by Black Widow Records. This is very much a retro sounding album with vocals in English unfortunately although I believe these Italians were influenced in a big way by the British Prog scene. And there is so much variety which isn't something I'm really into but other than the opening number it all works for me. Lots of organ, guitar and to lesser extent flute. I can't say any Italian bands came to mind while listening to this but CAMEL, JETHRO TULL and PINK FLOYD did at various times. I don't like the album cover at all, are you kidding me.

"Privileged Station" is for me getting this album off on the wrong foot and it took me days to get past this. Yes I've warmed up to this one since. The vocals don't do it for me here as he shouts the lyrics, and I just don't like that style of singing. The organ sounds great early on and I like that dark calm after 3 1/2 minutes, very atmospheric. It kicks back in and the organ shines late before the flute arrives after 6 minutes.

"P.S.M." has these Ian Anderson-like vocals and so it brings TULL to mind. Acoustic guitar and atmosphere too. It's melancholic and folky. It does turn fuller as the vocals step aside. Pulsating organ along with flute stands out 2 1/2 minutes in as it picks up again. Vocals are back after 4 1/2 minutes. A silent calm before 5 1/2 minutes signals a change in sound even with the vocals.

"Hoodlums" might be my favourite with that Swedish sound bringing LANDBERK to mind at times. This can be heard right from the start with the picked guitar as drums and vocals join in. I also hear a KING CRIMSON and PINK FLOYD flavour. We get an uplifting chorus where the vocals are more passionate. I like this one a lot. It kicks in harder before 4 minutes with organ as the flute comes in over top. Some nice guitar follows. A calm ends it over the last couple of minutes as we get flute, a beat and guitar.

"Black Crow" has laid back vocals, acoustic guitar and atmosphere. Nice sound here, quite folky and relaxed as we can hear people talking in the background. It turns fuller at 2 1/2 minutes as the flute joins in and the vocals stop. I like the sound after 3 minutes as well with the organ, drums and more. Vocals are back before 4 minutes. I like the instrumental section starting around 6 minutes especially the organ and guitar.

"Awareness" has a psychedelic vibe as it picks up quickly with organ, picked guitar and drums. This is the only instrumental on here. Synths to the fore before 1 1/2 minutes then the guitar takes the lead then organ as they continue to trade off. Flute and a CAMEL flavour after 2 minutes. More of that CAMEL vibe late.

"Noon" ends it and we get this fairly complex instrumental start with so much going on. I like the guitar lighting it up. Flute leads after a minute with bass and drums. Distorted organ 2 minutes in. Nice. Flute and organ then lead in this uptempo section. A calm before 4 1/2 minutes as reserved vocals arrive. It builds with more passionate vocals 5 1/2 minutes in. Nice guitar as the vocals step aside late.

I'm very comfortable giving this the 4 stars but it won't be going in my RPI section.