L'ISOLA DI NIENTE

After the two magnificent albums released in 1972, Premiata Forneria Marconi became one of the most reputed Italian prog bands. So, with their third album "L'isola di niente", released in 1974, they could obtain more attention from media and their fame began spreading abroad. Perhaps this album is not as fresh as "Storia di un minuto" or "Per un amico", but all the members of the band showcase here astounding musicianship and creativity. This album is also the first one featuring bassist Patrick Djivas (former member of Area) and his "touch" adds new musical colours to the song-writing and emphasis to the rhythmic patterns. The result is excellent.

The long and complex opener title-track begins with an operatic choir. The mood is dark and solemn, then electric guitar and rhythm section underline tense vocals drawing a gloomy setting where people are just numbers... "It's is sad to walk / It's pointless looking for a reason / Fairy tales and lies about God / Stupid soldiers are enquiring after me...". Suddenly tension melts and a more joyful section follows. Thinking about nothing is the only way to rest, to escape from an oppressing reality and your own mind can become a shield against the world, an island where you can find a shelter. Here the music is more relaxed, even dreamy but it's just for a while because choir and reality break in again... "And like a kite without wind / I don't talk anymore about believing, about forgiving / Too many truths are enquiring after me...".

Next track "Is My Face On Straight" is definitively lighter... "Inflate your waistcoat, wind down your eyes /Tie on your best smile, check your disguise / Dryclean your old jokes, practise despair / Hide your relations under the stairs / You're invited to attend the turkey party convention / Isn't that nice?". This track is sung in English and lyrics are by Pete Sinfiled. Remarkable the final keyboards solo (or is it an accordion?) by Flavio Premoli.

"Luna nuova" is an excellent blending of folk and symphonic rock with flute and violin adding colours to a joyful melody. Lyrics depict a pastoral and dreamy landscape under a new moon where fears are burning on bonfires and songs soar in the air till dawn in an endless game.

"Dolcissima Maria" (Sweet Mary) is beautiful and bittersweet acoustic ballad about the time passing by... "Sweet Mary, forget the flowers painted by time on your face / And all the years gone away while you were sitting and waiting... It's time to go... Don't turn back anymore...".

The last track "Via Lumière" is an instrumental that opens with a bass solo and then flows away with many changes of rhythm and atmosphere, swinging from jazz to folk-rock, concluding a wonderful album.