VERITÀ NASCOSTE

After the disappointing Smogmagica, Le Orme rebounded in 1976 to release a much improved album in Verità Nascoste. While still not achieving the legendary status of their 1972-1974 output, Verità Nascoste is quite good and a worthwhile addition to any robust RPI collection. That being said, you will want to fill out your Le Orme catalog pretty thoroughly before purchasing this one; there is just not enough extraordinary content that deserves repeated listens. Highlights include the title track, "Radiofelicita," and the biographical "In Ottobre." While Smogmagica was famously recorded in Los Angeles, Le Orme returned to Europe to produce their next album in England. Though the sound quality is not nearly as good, the songwriting is leaps and bounds better on Verità Nascoste. This consistency would continue on the following Storia O Leggenda, although this would mark the beginning of the end of the golden era of Progressive Rock music.

The playing of newly recruited guitarist Germano Serafin is the focal point of "Insieme al Concerto." The song features a heavier tone than most Le Orme fans will be accustomed, but this edge is balanced nicely with spaces of acoustic guitar and the instantly recognizable voice of Aldo Tagliapietra. The last minute of the track hints at prior glory, particularly in the keyboard work of Toni Pagliuca. "In Ottobre" recounts the band's time in London, and again recalls the classic Le Orme sound while incorporating the new ideas of Serafin (whom would fully come into his own much later on Florian). The titular "Verità Nascoste" is by far the superlative track here, and probably the group's most beautifully simple song since "Gioco di Bimba" in 1972. The melancholy strings suit the melody well without becoming sappy or overbearing. "Vedi Amsterdam..." closes out the first side with an aggressive tinge, driven by Pagliuca's organ and Michi Di Rossi's powerful drumming.

A more commercial sound abruptly introduces "Regina al Troubador," which wouldn't sound out of place on Smogmagica. This forgettable tune pales to the wonderful "Radiofelicita." Another ballad in the vein of "Immagini" from Collage, "Radiofelicita" has a very symphonic and timeless quality. The short "I Salmoni" is a fun little piece with some quirky playing all around and does a better job at mixing the commercial elements with the classic Le Orme brand. Finally, "Il Gradino Piu Stretto del Cielo" flamboyantly closes out the set. I'm not sure who plays the 12-string guitar (possibly Tagliapietra?), but it adds a lovely touch to an otherwise mediocre finish. Verità Nascoste may not be a complete return to form, but it certainly tries to capture the magic period of RPI and does a pretty decent job.