IL TEMPO DELLA GIOIA

Given my "stingy" rating scale, let me first say that this album is definitely deserving of an additional half star. Contemporaneous with Genesis' "The Lamb," Nektar's "Remember the Future," and Gentle Giant's "The Power and The Glory," this is another album (like Cervello's "Melos" and Alusa Fallax's "Intorno Alla Mia Cattiva Educazione") notable for its fairly early entry into the genre, and the way in which it both takes from and adds to the prog "lexicon" of the time. The influences are not easy to discern, though King Crimson (esp. Islands, and Lizard) and Gentle Giant are evident. Rather, there is a great deal of experimentation going on here, the majority of which is not only successful compositionally (in a disjointed sort of way), but played with great proficiency throughout. The vocals, particularly, are interesting (even compelling) in a way that many other Italian prog vocals are not: Giorgi's (?) approach and phrasing are both odd and appropriate, and add to the "Crimzoid" quality of some of the music. This is one that you will actually want to listen to a couple of times in order to properly get the "flavor" and intensity. A definite keeper.