QUANT'ALTRO

4.5 stars. I adore this record. The Avant style with Laura Agostinelli sounding like the female version of Demetrio Stratos just blows me away. The abundance of cello and sax is icing on the cake really. I love their sound though and I got the shock of my life when I sat down to do this review and saw that this album was released in 2007, I swear I thought I was listening to seventies Rio / Avant music. This album is entertaining and filled with surprises and lights out playing, I just can't say enough about the "sound" of this band.

"Consumatore Di Sonno" is the over 15 minute opening track. It opens with the clock ticking and spacey synths.The music comes in and builds.The cello and sax are prominant. It all stops as the vocals come in at 2 minutes. Keys too then cello and sax return. A calm after 6 1/2 minutes then the drums build.The vocals a minute later are high pitched. Piano takes over then we get a full sound with fast paced theatrical vocals. Sax is prominant and dissonant before 10 1/2 minutes. I like the different sounds that come and go like piano, sax, organ and cello.Vocals are back before 13 minutes. A calm with piano follows then it kicks back in. An alarm goes off to end the song.Yeah this was a dream wasn't it ? Brilliant !

"La Fine Del Ca De Luzi" is a short track led by piano, sax and cello. "Il Gesulta Millantatore" is almost 11 minutes long. It features sax melodies to start and i'm reminded of AREA as cello, drums and bass help out. Organ too. So much going on. Great sound. Vocals before 2 minutes as it settles and the sax and cello come and go. So good. Man she can sing. "Filastrocca All'oracolo" has a catchy rhythm with cello, vocals and organ. Sax a minute in. Love the enthusiasm here. "La Saga Degli Immaginari" opens with sax, drums and organ. Reserved vocals 1 1/2 minutes in as it settles. It's experimental 3 minutes in with strange vocal expressions and sax. It picks back up after 5 minutes with organ, bass, sax and drums. Nice. Vocals are back before 7 1/2 minutes. "Beatamente Plagiati" opens with male spoken words before a buzzer goes off followed by an avant soundscape. Soon we're listening to Electronic music. Go figure ? "Ommagio Al Dottor Zoidberg" opens with sax and an electronic beat. It kicks in but the tempo continues to change.The sax is prominant throughout though. "Drazil" opens with vocals in the soprano range. I like the rhythm that follows as piano and sax support. Contrasts continue. Some insane vocals in this one and spacey synths. "Situazione Angolare" has this eerie vibe to it as piano and vocals lead.

This is both challenging and fun but above all very enjoyable.