QUELLA VECCHIA LOCANDA

4.5 stars. There sure isn't much about this album that I don't like. Lots of variety on this one with excellent vocals. I like the prominant piano, violin and flute. I really like the edge that this record has, their second album would be much softer.

"Prologo" opens with the violin, piano and guitar trading off. Drums come pounding in as the tempo picks up. Great sound as piano and violin dominate. Vocals 1 1/2 minutes in. Synths and a beautiful soundscape follows. A calm 3 minutes in as it becomes dreamy. It kicks back in before 4 1/2 minutes to end it. "Un Villaggio, Un'Illusione" opens with some terrific violin melodies as drums pound. Guitar and flute come in ripping it up. Vocals a minute in. Amazing section. A calm with flute after 1 1/2 minutes as it builds. Violin is back after 3 minutes. "Realta" is a mellow track with birds chirping as acoustic guitar and flute are gently played. Reserved vocals join in. An outburst a minute in and then it calms back down as piano takes over. Themes are repeated as vocals, acoustic guitar and flute return. Some violin 2 1/2 minutes in.

"Immagini Sfocate" is experimental to open. A violin / drum melody arrives a minute in. Mellotron 1 1/2 minutes in followed by guitar tearing it up. Vocals follow. This is fantastic ! "Il Cieco" opens with a catchy beat as synths then vocals join in. Piano comes in and i'm finding it impossible not to groove to the music. A calm as violin and flute take over. The uptempo melody returns 3 minutes in. Violin and piano end it. "Dialogo" opens with drums, bass and synths. A calm 2 1/2 minutes in as vocals and piano lead the way. Synths 3 minutes in and then drums. "Verso La Locanda" opens with piano then violin and drums come in. It picks up 2 minutes in with flute. A calm, then reserved vocals come in after 2 1/2 minutes. It kicks back in after 4 1/2 minutes. "Sogno,Risveglio E..." opens with piano as mellotron comes and goes. Violin after 1 1/2 minutes and then flute. Vocals 3 1/2 minutes in. Themes are repeated.

There is so much to enjoy on this album. If you want to check out the Italian scene then this is a must.