PER... UN MONDO DI CRISTALLO

RRR's one and only contribution to the Italian prog scene is a terrific, albeit not completely mature example of symph instilled with folkish acoustic sensibility, not too distant from what Delirium, Capitolo 6 and Blocco Mentale were doing, but in comparison, RRR is more solid than the aforementioned bands. 'Per.. Un Modo di Cristallo' is a concept album that revolves around a post-apocalyptic observation on human condition. This explains the somber mood that is present all along the record, but interestingly though, the somber factor is managed subtly via the predominance of acoustic guitar duets and flute solos. The keyboardist deals with his arsenal of organ, piano, mellotron and harpsichord with ease and an obvious reservation towards pyrotechnics: he lays some foundations while the lead guitarist and the saxophonist/flautist come to the fore. Piermaroli can also play some good jazzy stuff on piano, which makes him perfectly compatible with the rhythm section's recurrent jazz oriented leanings - his labour is crucial, since he incarnates the bridge between the drummer/bassist duo and the harmonics and soloing of his other two instrumentalist partners. The jazzy side of the band is properly incarnated in the instrumental 'Nel Mio Quartiere' and some of the most notable passages of the mini-epic 'Un Palco di Marionette': this side is mostly provided by Piermanoli, sax/flute player Grassi and drummer Francica. Even in the folkish passages Francica tends to use his drum kit with a jazzy vibe, in this way providing a peculiar cadence as a basis for the acoustic guitars. Now, Regoli's range and style remind me of that of Biglietto's singer, but due to the more restrained instrumentation of RRR, Regoli doesn't allow himself to excel fierily: he displays his vocal energy in a prper, moderate manner. My fave tracks are 3, Il Mondo Cade (Su di Me) and 6 (Un Palco di Marionette). The former is arguably the most articulated number in the album, which motif and mood changes that go shifting naturally across the clever use of empty spaces, that is, brief silent interludes. The latter, being the longest track, comprises the most passionate exposition of RRR's sound, including frantic acoustic moments and somber passages in which the organ, sax and lead guitar elaborate a psychedelic aura with cosmic allusions. Immediately after, 'Sogni de Cristallo' travels easily from folkish joy to hopeless melancholy. Well, in conclusion, this is a wonderful piece of Italian semi-acoustic oriented prog.