THE ARCHINAUTS

I have spent way too much time trying to decide whether to give 3 or 4 stars for this recording. A true 3.5 star record and considering the RPI tag and looking at it as such this is 3 stars. Just too modern, english vocals, sure Symphonic with some Neo references but other than the sampled mellotron nothing about this brings that golden era of RPI to mind. Now looking at it as it is, that is a Symphonic/Neo recording this is a 4 star recording. I agree with kev rowland who also feels this way that RPI is a bit of a stretch despite this being the project of two Italians.

Ivan and Ilenia are ISPROJECT and they provide the male and female vocals with Ivan composing all the music here. Neither play an instrument on here. And living in Italy who better to contact for some guidance than Fabio Zuffanti? Fabio simply does that here provides direction to this young couple and even bringing in his ZBAND, a five piece to play Ivan's music. Ivan is a huge Steven Wilson fan which shows up at times and while Fabio offers guidance AMS Records produced this album, an album that deals with architecture, poetry and photography the loves of Ivan and Ilenia. By the way the drummer is also part of IL TEMPIO DELLE CLESSIDRE an excellent modern RPI band while the sax/flute player is from DELIRIUM.

Man this record hits some highs, that middle section, songs 4 to 6 is outstanding and the best of all might be the only instrumental on here and that's the opener "Ouverture". Ivan has a good voice I quite enjoy it but Ilenia is thankfully in the background much of the time, I'm just not into her high pitched voice at all. This record is drenched in a lot of mellotron, this just sounds amazing, so uplifting and enjoyable. Modern sounding guitars and the flute and sax add a lot even though they are used sparingly. Actually on my copy it lists the horn player as a guest which I find strange as he is part of Zuffanti's ZBAND but he used little so I guess I get it.

How gorgeous is that opener "Ouverture"? I must say that this record features plenty of piano often used when the style of music is going to change. Lots of synths as well. "The Architect" is a good example of what this band does here with the repeated themes, the piano interludes, the mellotron choirs. My least favourite track is "Mangialuce" I just haven't been able to connect with it but man "The City And The Sky" is a killer tune, so emotional maybe my favourite along with the opener. Ivan's vocals soar here and the mellotron and guitar also shine. "Lovers In The Dream" continues the incredible music with flute and mellotron but Ivan really sings on this one. "The Mountain" is almost as good as the previous two songs and then the closer, a 15 minute ride where Ilenia is unleashed somewhat but it doesn't affect my enjoyment of this proggy number.

I have spent a fair amount of time with this one, more so than normal and as usual the only way to get to know an album is to actually spend time with it not review it after one listen and think you really know it? Or better yet not even owning it but streaming it a couple of times. I'm old school I guess.