DIETRO LA FINESTRA

80's wasn't the more prolific era for producing Progressive Rock and Hopo disbanded shortly after ''Senti''.However in early-90's it seems the band was contacted by a person, asking for a second album by Hopo and reputedly financing its recording.So the group had a brief reunion in 1991 with all members from ''Senti'' present, except for bassist Giuseppe Antenucci, who was replaced by Michelangelo Zorzit.The new 91' LP ''Dietro La Finestra'' was released as a private pressing, distributed by Mellow Records.

This was another fine album by Hopo, not as inspired as ''Senti'', as the band seemed to have lost the good momentum by spliting up, but still it contains some qualitive musicianship with excellent vocals.The style is heavily grounded in 70's Classic Italian Prog with the occasional 90's-sounding guitars, but what really holds this down is the massive use of digital synthesizers on the symphonic parts, which sound too plastic and cheap.Influences by bands like PREMIATA FORNERIA MARCONI, FORMULA 3 or LE ORME are pretty obvious and the album has a strong sense of melody and romance throughout.Plenty of excellent guitar solos next to great dramatic symphonic parts and sensitive Italian vocals guarantee a fine experience for all fans of the style.Also the inspired shifting moods, the use of flutes and sometimes organ and the well-crafted arrangements provide strong links with the 70's Italian scene.The keyboard parts are mostly interesting with nice breaks, solos and even enough technique, but their cheap sound often overcomes the sufficient performance of Marino Baccini.

Hopo's career would stop eventually at this point.Before this the band created another nice album full of this Italian romance and innocence met earlier or later on bands like IL CASTELLO DI ATLANTE, SITHONIA, ATON'S or CONSORZIO ACQUA POTABILE.Recommended.