ATONEMENT OF A FORMER SAILOR TURNED PAINTER

Album number five for this Moongarden offshoot, led by keyboardist Cristiano Roversi and guitarist Davide Cremoni, who also both manage the lunar park. After two initially uneven recordings, the undersea ship's captains have charted a new course towards more convincing waters ever since their 2016 album "Journey Through Mine" and further buoyed by 2020's "Did Swans Ever See God". The arrival back then of singer Guillermo Gonzalez surely raised the periscope on new quadrants to navigate and this latest album stays firmly on path. The new sailors on board are fine recruits, as Marco Croci mans a solid bass anchor, while legendary drummer Maurizio di Tollo is among the finest percussionists in Italy. He will surely tackle the concussive depth charges with his usual technical brilliance. Vocalist Manuela Milanese adds a feminine voice to the crew. The premise is a sea-faring travelogue through the Caribbean, visiting the various differing cultures, using 5 different languages (English, French, Dutch, Haitian Creole and Portuguese) in the process of explain the various ports of call along the way. The suggestion is for listeners to check out the lyrics and join in as fellow passengers on the voyage from one island to another.

The giants of the ocean never cease to amaze, and "Majestic Whales" suggests a prog version of natural contemplation, a metronomic pulse from Di Tollo as well as along infusion of subtle synthesizers and its companion lead guitar, together delivering a fair amount of sullen reflection and courageous spirit. As the theme keeps elevating towards the surface, the spectacle begins truly kicks in, as guest guitarist Roine Stolt launches a luminous guitar torpedo that ultimately hits the mark. peeling off a glittering flurry of notes from his loquacious guitar. Great track, indeed.

"Les Mots Que Tu Ne Dis Pas" is French for 'words that you do not say' and comes as an interesting premise for a luxuriant track that requires a few spins before settling comfortably in the galley. Roversi flaunts his surly organ with rampaging effectiveness, Gonzalez seemingly in a fair amount of angst, as he rages in his mike with tempered hostility, while Di Tollo bashes everything in his way. Suddenly Milanese and the piano join in calming down the crew.

Jangly guitars announce "Limbo of the Rootless", putting Milanese's voice once again at forefront, Guillermo taking over after a while and then the two voices singing in parallel. A church organ solemnly shifts the overall fell into a bluesier ramble, handing off the lead to twirling axe solo that dances and soars as the mellotron wreaks further havoc. Organ fuelled manic operatics, whipping synths and a masterful rhythmic assault gets the sonar hyperactive as the temperature starts to boil. The arrangement dives into a deeper groove whilst steel maintaining a steady course, before Milanese's voice reestablishes the original theme with perfect finality. The core of this album is the gigantic 21-minute epic "Suite Atonement", where the crew get to stretch out and flex its muscles. All pastoral sweetness, acoustic guitar, flute and mellotron to begin, in an almost early Genesisian style, both voices blending into the fray, as Cremoni slaps an energetic guitar into the mix, a hushed voice and thumping bass section momentarily remindful of "the Knife", before soaring into more advances sonic glitter. He is often referred to as the Italian Steve Hackett, what with his Moongarden repertoire and Submarine Silence having started out as a Genesis tribute (The River of Constant Change). The arrangement does navigate into stormy weather, as the gale-like winds shudder and shake the metal tube hull, quickly diving deeper into calmer realms (as depicted by an aquatic synth section, all liquid bubbles escaping from the hatches). The band goes through a series of variant transitions where certain grooves can be played out, the organ-bass duet is interesting to say the least, an acoustic guitar echoing in the abyss, the dual Portuguese, Creole and French voices compressed by the cabin pressure, the distant doom of possible disaster, as 'Niet Vergeten' is repeated solemnly (Dutch for 'Do not Forget'). Fearless drunken sailors singing to the moon.

Bonus track "Zena "is an elegant piece of pastoral beauty, whistling synth and more acoustic guitar setting the stage for another Cremoni pirouette on his trusted guitar, adding heartfelt tone and undeniable emotion into every note.

All in all, an enjoyable release that requires one to listen multiple times and imbibe themselves into the narrative and feel a belonging that the musicians are striving to create. As an added extra, the Ed Unitsky artwork is, as per norm, off the maritime charts !

4 thoughtful career choices