1978 - GLI DEI SE NE VANNO, GLI ARRABBIATI RESTANO!

This is my least favourite of AREA's first five studio albums, yet there's so much that impresses me that I can't give it anything lower then 4 stars.This would be vocalist Demetrio Stratos last album with the band before he passed away tragically at the age of 34.They're down to a four piece outfit here, with the guitarist leaving after the last record.This band is so unique and such an important part of the progressive Italian music scene. Even before Demtrio sings you know it's AREA by their special sound, of course when he does sing there's no doubt who it is (haha).

"Il Bandito Del Deserto" is uptempo right away as vocals come in quickly. I like the prolonged instrumental section especially the bass. Keyboards 2 minutes in before the vocals return. "Interno Con Figure E Luci" opens with drums as these odd sounding vocals come in with percussion. Some nice drum work throughout this track. "Return From Workuta" is exotic sounding really with some vocal melodies from Demetrio. "Guardati Dal Mese Vicino All'Aprile" is another track where the drummer impresses me a lot. Nice keyboards too. Vocals after a minute. It gets a little dissonant after 3 minutes.

"Hommage A Violette Nozieres" is a fairly straight forward and catchy track (gasp) except for Stratos' warbles. "Ici On Dance" is another catchy tune. Horns before 2 minutes with deep bass to follow. "Acrostico In Memoria Di Laio" is a great track. Kind of jazzy with piano, bass and drums standing out. It settles after 2 1/2 minutes with spoken words to the end. "FFF" (Festa,Farina E Forca)" opens with drums as bass and piano follow. "Vodka Cola" has this strange intro,especially the vocal melody, then it settles down to a really good sound. I like the horn melody while this dog (pictured with the band on the back cover) barks in the background. We're into Zappa territory before 6 minutes.

I would recommend any of AREA's first five albums, but especially the first three. An amazing band.