FORSE LE LUCCIOLE NON SI AMANO PIÙ

It was interesting to look quickly through the reviews of this album: one either praises it (often with five stars) or wonders what's the hype about. That reflects well my own reception, because I remember enjoying the music a lot right away, but on the long run I consider it rather mediocre and surpriseless. Even all too typical product from the late period of symphonic prog's era coming outside of England. This ALMOST could have come from Western, Middle or even Eastern Europe, with another language, of course. Well, maybe not Eastern Europe, with this kind of romanticism and song orientation. But one could find unknown bands from countries like Netherlands, Belgium, Sweden or France who made keyboard-oriented, accessible and poppish symphonic prog in the latter half of the seventies - and who have remained quite little known. Quite rarely those are quite this polished in production but they may be more exciting. Perhaps this album/band also gets extra points from being Italian. No, I don't mean this wouldn't sound very Italian indeed. Many have compared it to BANCO and I'm not one to disagree.

This is very easily enjoyed prog: there's a nice little amount of complexity (some tracks are approaching ten minutes), but most of all a lot of melodies and safety. Multiple keyboards include both Chopin-like pianism and wallpapers of synth. The sound is bright and clean, and the rhythm section sounds very competent too. The vocalist is a cross between the tenor of Banco and the pop star Zucchero. But as it often turns out to be: the easier it is to enjoy at once, the harder it is to remain excited by it. Nevertheless, this is very recommendable listening to anyone looking for accessible, melodic symph prog.