DARWIN!

Virtuostic? yes... Magnificent, beautiful, magical? YES! This is definitely a crowning achievement for BANCO DEL MUTUO SOCCORSO after a promising debut. The nocenzi brothers are at the top of their form here, demonstrating their incredible talent. Something important to note, as many have done before me, is the increased presence of the synthesizer, giving them a richer sound that on their previous album. Somehow, these guys managed to coordinate perfect transitions between synth guitar and piano to create seemless changes in mood while leaving a profound effect when you finally realize what has just happenned. The overall effect is a majestic and all the while complex symphonic sound that is ready to please any lover of this sub-genre. IMHO, I've always thought BANCO did a better job than PFM were it only for the double keyboards; the organ, synth, and piano are always in sync, and not rambled incoherently. The sound is so distinct that you can actually tell whats happening at every moment, making this album very accessible. A must for lovers of symphonic rock.