SADAKO E LE MILLE GRU DI CARTA

I first encountered Logos with their previous album, "L'enigma della vita" which was a top-rated album on this web site for that year. I was slow to get into it, but after a few listens I really enjoyed it. One thing I appreciated was a more modern style of Italian prog. I felt there were newer sounds and ideas in the music that distinguished the album from classic Italian prog.

"Sadako e le mille gru di carta" is based on the story of Sadako, a girl who was a victim of the atomic bomb and dying of cancer. She thought that she could beat the cancer if she made 1,000 origami cranes. Sadly, she never reached her goal. The album opens with a big Italian prog boom that reminds me a lot of Le Orme's "Felona e Serona". There are certain chord or note combinations that just seem so indicative of Italian prog, and the first couple of tracks here are loaded with them! It fact, this album strikes me as being very different from "L'enigma della vita", so much so that I would hardly have guessed it's the same band.

The keyboards make up a big driving force in the music, another reason for the Le Orme semblance. Guitars are either used sparingly or they just don't come to the forefront very often, unless I'm getting so wrapped up in the heady keyboards that I rarely notice the guitars.

The album plays out with much texture and excitement to the music. There are subtler moments and beautiful moments, but there is a lot of action going on as well. It's very easy to just hitch a ride with the music and enjoy the scenery. There are vocals though the instrumental parts seem to be where the real show is at. Female vocals appear as well which adds a nice touch.

I see that other reviewers have offered detailed descriptions of the music and the tracks, so I will not delve in deep in my review. However, I will say that this is an album that impresses right from the first listen and it continues to produce new delights in the music with subsequent listens. I am sure I will take me a few more spins before I can become truly acquainted with this music. But there is no doubt about the creativity and talent that has gone into making this album. I'd actually give this 4 and a half stars if I could. Maybe I might even want to give it five stars later on. It is surely an album of prog lover's delight!