GENERAZIONI (STORIA DI SEMPRE)

`Generazioni - Storia Di Sempre' is another in a long line of obscure Italian classics by a `one and done' Italian prog band Edgar Alan Poe that gave us a sole lonely release that is full of typical trademark RPI sophistication, talented playing and wonderful songwriting. The album has quite an adventurous sound and constantly changes direction throughout, jumping between thoughtful acoustic moments, gloomy heavy diversions, warmer reflective ballads and jazzy arrangements often in the space of one single piece, yet it never sounds disorganized or messy.

Singer/keyboard player Giorgio Foti has a lovely weary voice that occasionally falls a little flat, yet sounds very genuine and heartfelt - a voice with real character. He covers the album in a huge variety of keyboards as well, especially favouring thick slabs of organ for dramatic effect. The bass is always mixed loud and prominent, the drumming a blur of energy and technicality, and the guitar work has a hard acid-rock psych tone to it.

After a slightly gothic and dramatic narrated intro with heartbeat like percussion and lurking piano, Side A's `Prologo' erupts with prominent driving fluid bass, frantic drumming and gorgeous tasteful jazzy electric guitar licks. Swirling keyboard effects buzzing all around, they carry on into the next track `Considerizioi' with stoned hazy organ and early 70's-like Pink Floyd guitar. The lovely creeping bass-lines, dark piano eerie harpsichord middle section sound a little like Goblin, while some of the edgier guitar riffs resemble Black Sabbath. `Per Un'Anima' is a lovely acoustic guitar ballad with frail vocals and somber synths in the background yet it contrasts unhappier and upbeat feelings perfectly. `Alla Ricerca...' has plenty of booming organ and dirty funky hard driving bouncing guitar/bass riffs. Passionate and full vocals power through much of the piece, which alternates between acoustic passages and driving harder electric moments. One of the best tracks on the album!

Side B's `Ad un Vecchio' opens with an odd electronic intro before a dark jazz atmosphere sets in with murky bass, urgent drumming, thoughtful piano and loose floating guitar fills. Lots of dramatic tension on this one, which switches from quiet pondering vocal sections to bombastic organ snaps washing all over the top. It has a sinister second half with heavy dank guitar riffs and wild jamming acid-rock lead guitar that reminds me a lot of Jefferson Airplane! The rough around the edges `La Batalla del Carne Infelice' is a psychedelic classical acoustic ballad featuring the mandolin, with echoing production that gives the piece a slightly bent and unusual sound to compliment it's uplifting melody. The title track `Generazione' has a big symphonic sound with positive confident vocals, whirling keyboard solos and driving melodic guitar runs. There's some booming harder moments and nice group harmonies that end the album in a suitably grand manner.

Add this one alongside sole albums by fleeting Italian progressive acts such as Triade, Panna Fredda and one of my favourites Corte Dei Miracoli that blessed with a single album of incredibly striking and powerful music to treasure and appreciate forever.

Four stars.