CANTO DI PRIMAVERA

The end of the 70s have arrived but Banco continues to release consistent progressive albums. It seems this was the last time though, just one year later they would hit rock bottom. The imminent decline is nowhere to be found here though and I believe this to be their best album since Io Nato Libero.

The songs have changed to more traditional lengths and accessible structures, but the material is very strong, very melodic and choke-full of emotion and catchy hooks. The arrangements are very original, subtle and very sober for progressive rock, with lots of acoustic classic wind instruments, piano and percussion complementing the tasty synths.

Next to the classical influences, the music also reminds me of the Ange albums from around 75-76, Banco also incorporates much influences from traditional chanson, folk and vaudeville. But the material is much better and more consistent then the music Ange released in that period, the instrumental sections are very well developed and each vocal line is a keeper. The music is delicate, nothing like the energy boost of the first two albums, rather dreamy and soft-jazzy even, it makes the album sure a recommended title for fans of PFM and Le Orme.

With not one weak song I could certainly recommend this as the first post-1973 Banco album to get, followed by the entirely different instrumental album Di Terra.