SEI LACRIME D'AMBRA

NOTABENE's debut completely floored me back in 2006 when I first listened to it. I ended up giving it a well deserved 4.5 stars. Their second album has a bit of a different feel with a new lead guitarist and their violin / trumpet player has left. It took me longer to warm up to this one and I still feel it's not nearly as good as the debut.

"La Revolution Bourgeoise (Parte 1)" opens with spoken word samples as heavy guitar and drums come in. Nice. Again the organ really brings some Sweden bands to mind just like their debut album did. It settles then we get vocals before 2 minutes. Not a big fan of how he seems to shout the lyrics. Great section before 4 minutes with guitar and organ though. "Le Mistificazioni Dell'Ombra" puts the focus on the vocals as the guitar, drums and organ support early. Lots of tempo changes and mood shifts on this 11 1/2 minute track. Nice guitar 4 1/2 minutes in especially a minute later. I like the heavy sound that comes and goes. "Mashera Di Cera" opens with the guitar grinding away as the organ runs wild. Some good bass lines as well before it settles with reserved vocals and gentle guitar. It is so uplifting before 1 1/2 minutes as his vocals get more passionate.

"Sei Lacrime D'Ambra" has some good bombast early before gentle vocals and piano take over. Again lots of tempo changes. Guitar joins in and flute later. Scorching guitar before 5 minutes then it calms right down with accordion. "Il Treno Di Obuda" is 16 minutes long and quite the journey. It begins with spoken words then a nice heavy sound with organ, drums and guitar comes in. Sounds like mellotron after 3 minutes. A brighter sound follows with vocals. Heaviness after 7 1/2 minutes with piano and bass. I like the guitar before 13 minutes but it's even better a minute later ! Emotional vocals follow, what a great way to end this song. "La Revolution Bourgeoise (Parte 2)" is the 17 minute closer. It opens with guitar before keyboards join in. Vocals 2 1/2 minutes in and a great sound with it. A dark calm before 7 minutes and a vocal melody also joins in as the guitar grinds away. Marching style drums come in joined by some excellent guitar. A calm with piano 11 1/2 minutes in and almost spoken vocals join in then guitar at 15 minutes.

While I didn't like this nearly as much as the debut it's clear that most reviewers do so please check it out. 3.5 stars.