DARWIN!

Hmm...probably my favorite Banco album. Amazing, how can I describe it? Just as many English groups crystalized and defined what prog is and should ever be, though totally different from each other, each defining a paradigm of music never to be equalled...there were a few Italian groups which did the same thing at the same time. Prog truly was (and is) an international movement, something that is often forgotten. As different as Yes, Genesis and Gentle Giant were from each other, each creating their own corner of the universe, so we have PFM, Le Orme and Banco. They can't really be compared to each other, since they sound so different from each other. They have nothing in common except a certain indefinable "Italian" something. This album is a classic for all times. Even though you get a hint of other famous (even English) icons here and there, the Banco sound really is solid here throughout. It is operatic, dramatic, mediterranean, Roman, sublime, sensuous and, well, perfect. The adjoining albums are just as good, but I think this one takes the cake for pure beauty and power. Synth wizardry abounds, solid guitar, bass, mind boggling drums, one of the best vocalists ever, great songs. This amounts to 5 stars, well deserved (for once)...