2011 A.D.

As I have mentioned in other reviews, this has been a year where I have become very aware ofthe instrumental trend in modern prog. Generally, this vocal-less music requires quite a bit of patience with a listener, who must allow himself to become familiar with the nuances in the music. Often enough, I find myself bored by the process, especially when one considers that so many of these bands sound the same. I Treni All'Alba is thankfully another band that keeps their music interesting by offering something fresh in their sound. While the music ebbs and flows in the style of a typical prog fusion album, I Treni All'Alba's '2011 A.D.' stands out for the fact that instead of using typical prog rock sounds, this band performs their music largely with acoustic guitars. This is a piece of folk-fusion that I'll certainly be returning to in the coming months.

When it comes to genres or styles, there are plenty of preconceived notions that both the listeners, and bands themselves have. Towards the top of the list are the instruments and sounds that are 'allowed' to be used in a particular style. In the case of prog fusion, it is not unreasonable for the genre to ask ts musicians to use electric guitars and plenty of vintage keyboard sounds, those certainly can't be missed! I Treni All'Alba indeed do have these traits in their sound, but they are dwarfed in importance by the acoustic guitars. At one point while listening to the album, the music on '2011 A.D.' ironically sounded like the score to some Spaghetti western; the guitars are often used to very dramatic effect, and there is usually more than one buzzing around in the music.

The acoustic guitars are used very effectively, and especially when they are used to counterpoint each other, it is difficult not to be impressed. Of course, the downside to this is that the keyboards and percussion are put on the back burner. These instruments are certainly not forgotten about, but when I think of I Treni All'Alba now, most of my memory is geared towards the majestic sounds that the two guitarists of this band make playing in unison with each other. I could say that '2011 A.D.' lacks the hooks to become instantly memorable and enjoyable, but the musicianship and warmth of the textures that this band uses are enough to carry me over to the point where the music is familiar enough to enjoy, hooks irregardless. An excellent album.

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