DARWIN!

A few months after their solid debut album, "Banco del Mutuo Socorsso" confirms their great form by releasing "Darwin!", a conceptual work in the style of the hurricane-like progressive winds of the early 70's, based on the theory of evolution of the English scientist and naturalist Charles Darwin. The classical and baroque influences of Romans combined with their particular lyrical and operatic style of singing, are tinged with elements incorporated from great icons of the genre such as their referenced E,L&P, to create one of the capital works of the flourishing Italian progressive rock.

The first part of "Darwin! " is a puzzle of intricate instrumental structures, with momentary and elusive reflective passages, both in the huge and descriptive "La Evolucione", and in the gloomy and haunting "La Conquista Della Posizione Eretta", with both tracks featuring the virtuosic Nocenzi brothers in a leading role, with the sea of effects that they masterfully extract from their countless hammonds, moogs and grand pianos, and seconded by the impeccable dramatic effects that Francesco Di Giacomo's portentous voice brings to each of his interventions.

The second part, while maintaining the complex compositional dynamics of the first part, nevertheless unfolds with short and heterogeneous pieces, such as the jazzy and anodyne "Danza Dei Grandi Rettili", the lively and incisive "Cento Mani E Cento Occhi", or the beautiful and peaceful "750,000 Anni Fa ... L'Amore? L'Amore?", a remarkable communion of piano and voice cut in between by a synthesised interlude, undoubtedly one of the best on the album.

The strange and disturbing "Ed Ora Io Domando Tempo Al Tempo Ed Egli Mi Risponde ... Non Ne Ho!" concludes the album amidst fairground music and pig grunts, giving the final touch to a seminal work that cemented Banco as one of the cornerstones of the Italian progressive movement.

Very good.

4 stars