IL GIOCO DEL SILENZIO

This is NICHELODEON's first studio album and all I can say is that this is one ambitous, elaborate and expansive work. Full of innovative ideas it really needs to be heard with headphones on. It's like listening to a theatre show. In the liner notes we are told of some of the variety of styles here including "Central European theatre songs, to Jazz and contemporary Classical music, noise, Psychedelic music, World music, Electronics and Sound design; the new Avant-garde". And check out all the instruments used on this almost 79 minute tour de force. I want to congratulate Claudio and his band for this outstanding release, it surpassed my expectations.The only thing I like better on their first release (live) over this one is the album cover. Oh and I love the picture of the band all dressed in black in the liner notes looking so serious, then you turn the page and there they are again but this time they're holding saws, clippers and other tools and yelling. Priceless.

"Fame" sounds so good with the horns to start as these theatrical vocals come in with low end sounds. It turns dissonant then the previous soundscape returns but with discordant piano. Vocals are back. A calm after 2 1/2 minutes then it gets fuller with vocals. "Fiaba" opens with flute and piano. Some strange sounds too. Reserved vocals join in and it picks up. A calm with piano only 2 minutes in then flute and vocals return. It turns dissonant 4 1/2 minutes in with horns and piano. Intense. "Claustrofilia" features dark and laid back horn melodies. Piano then vocals come in. It's building slowly. It settles back late. "Malamore E La Luna" opens with piano and clarinet as vocals join in.The vocals are expressive as other strange sounds join in. Some strings 3 1/2 minutes in then it calms right down as sounds come and go. It gets really intense 5 minutes in with all kinds of different sounds including laughter.

"Amanti In Guerra" is atmospheric until reserved vocals and piano take over after a minute. I like the brief female vocal melodies (they come back later). A fairly minimalistic track. "Ombre Cinesi" opens with experimental and haunting sounds. Female soprano vocals 2 minutes in. It sounds like she's singing in a barn at one point with all those background sounds. Male spoken vocals replace her vocals late. "Apnea" like the opening track sounds great with those horns and rhythm. Vocals join in then piano. Some good bass too. "Il Giardino Degli Altri" opens with percussion as reserved vocals chant. It all gets fuller then it calms right down with creepy background noises and sinister vocals. Check out the noisy atmosphere late.

"La Corse Dei Trattori (Ghost Track)" is a short crazy tune that makes me laugh. "Se" is eerie with sparse piano and spoken words in the background with other strange sounds. It turns really bizarre 3 minutes in. A change 6 1/2 minutes in as it settles. "Lana Di Vetro" has these laid back sounds that come and go then it kicks in before 3 minutes. It's almost like a jig here. Vocals and some intensity join in then back to the jig as contrasts continue. "Cio Che Rimane" is dark with piano melodies. Reserved vocals after a minute. It builds.Great sound 3 minutes in with guitar and vocal melodies. Claudio even does a brief Demetrio Stratus impersonation.The dissonance after 6 minutes is fantastic.

Truly a "must have" for Rio / Avant fans out there. Easily 4 stars.