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UNDER A POLAR RED LIGHT

Proteo

Neo-Prog


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Proteo Under A Polar Red Light album cover
3.25 | 11 ratings | 4 reviews | 0% 5 stars

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Studio Album, released in 2009

Songs / Tracks Listing

1. Colors to Give (5:23)
2. Eternity (7:25)
3. Australia (7:10)
4. Tales from the Ocean (6:00)
5. Van Gogh (5:17)
6. Robota (4:30)
7. I Wish I Could Fly (7:36)
8. Echoes Mankind (8:11)

Total Time 51:32

Line-up / Musicians

- Marco Paulica / electric & acoustic guitars, vocals
- Matteo Copetti / electric lead guitars and alto saxophone
- Alessandro Surian / electric bass
- Fabio Gorza / drums and percussion

Releases information

CD Ma.Ra.Cash Records (MRC015)

Thanks to ProgLucky for the addition
and to NotAProghead for the last updates
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PROTEO Under A Polar Red Light ratings distribution


3.25
(11 ratings)
Essential: a masterpiece of progressive rock music(0%)
0%
Excellent addition to any prog rock music collection(27%)
27%
Good, but non-essential (45%)
45%
Collectors/fans only (27%)
27%
Poor. Only for completionists (0%)
0%

PROTEO Under A Polar Red Light reviews


Showing all collaborators reviews and last reviews preview | Show all reviews/ratings

Collaborators/Experts Reviews

Review by Gooner
PROG REVIEWER
4 stars This album sounds like a breath of fresh air. Perhaps a great description would be if Michael Brook(world guitarist/David Sylvian collaborator) were to let loose in the studio and write songs with Neil Schon and a few members from the '80s version of Talk Talk. Toss in some of The Shadows(yes, that's right), Tears For Fears, Comsat Angels and Fixx along with Police and '80s Rush. In short, Proteo take the approach of the more progressive New Wave bands in the '80s and strip it down without the cheesy synth adding Ozric-like bubbles and colourings. Highlights include the varied _Eternity_ which sounds like Talk Talk meets Michael Brook and Carlos Santana/Sonny Sharrock in guitar tone. _Echoes Mankind_ is another highlight. The Fixx and Porcupine Tree meets Sonny Sharrock in guitar tone and Mel Collins saxophone? Something like that. You be the judge. Don't expect any crazy solos here, but you will get some excellent songwriting. Amazing melodic pop prog. from 2009. Recommended.
Review by Finnforest
SPECIAL COLLABORATOR Honorary Collaborator
3 stars Upbeat crossover with just a hint of space

Proteo are another fine offering from Maracash Records. The band from Trieste have been together in the same line-up (which I think is cool) since 1996. Starting as a straight-up rock band they began incorporating progressive elements to their sound slowly, releasing three demos prior to this official full length debut. The new album won them the "best prog debut" award at the MEI awards in 2009.

While their web page lists some of the '70s giants as influences, to my ear Proteo sounds rooted in an 80s art-rock sound. In different moments I can hear something that reminds me of Mike and the Mechanics, U2, Police, or perhaps 80s Yes and Rush. This light and catchy vibe is mixed with a more modern progressive take on arrangements and song lengths. Rather than pop singles the songs are in the 5-8 minute range and feature a more elaborate approach. There are few up-front keyboards and frills of the prog world however, they go for an economical approach. While upbeat, the songs have a nice relaxing, meditative edge to them as well, as I found out one morning this week driving across town and drifting in cloudy thoughts-the music was reassuring and friendly. The band's sound is primarily led by the bass and guitars. Each track develops a catchy, usually upbeat melody that is propelled by the most bubbly and "large" bass sound, which I completely love! Over this is a very jangly modern guitar sound, similar to U2's The Edge at times, but often injecting some spacey vibe to it as well like a Djam Karet or Ozric might do. The spacey vibe and flight carries through to the artwork and some of the lyrical themes as well. The guitar leads are similarly lovely and melodic, focusing on atmosphere over aggression. Vocals are completely in English so this Italian band won't put off any of you English-only prog purists-you know who you are! The cd comes in a gatefold mini-lp sleeve with lyrics booklet. Recommended to fans of prog-pop, art-rock, crossover. A good debut and highly enjoyable piece of music.

Review by andrea
PROG REVIEWER
3 stars Proteo were formed in Trieste in 1996 by Marco Paulica (rhythm guitars, vocals), Matteo Copetti (lead guitar, sax), Alessandro Surian (bass) and Fabio Gorza (drums, percussion) and along the years the line up has always remained the same. The name of the band refers to a small animal called olm or proteus (proteus anguinus) that lives in the caves of the Karst plateau and that is best known for its adaptations to a life of complete darkness in its underground habitat. In some way it reflects the style of the band, a curious mix of pop rock and progressive rock influences.

After some demos and a good live activity on the local scene, in 2009 Proteo released a debut album on the independent label Ma.Ra.Cash Records, Under A Red Polar Light, featuring eight well crafted original tracks where dreamy melodies and bright touches of musical colours unfurl avoiding banality. Although the overall sound every now and again draws on eighties atmospheres and could recall bands such as The Police, U2 or Talk Talk, the band successfully managed to blend these influences with a prog attitude and personal touch.

The opener "Colors To Give" is a kaleidoscope of images and emotions that flashes out eighties atmospheres and walks on the moon while the following "Eternity" takes you up and down through time and space, between heart and mind, where the streets have no name and eternity fades away dancing on Latin rock rhythms. Then comes the dreamy "Australia", that reminds me slightly of Men At Work or Crowded House and conjures up images from the Lucky Country. The title of the following "Tales From The Ocean" could recall Yes but here the tales from the ocean are not topographic at all and the waves move gently in a controlled flow while the music and lyrics evoke nights on a beach blessed by the moonlight.

"Van Gogh" is another dreamy track that tries to take you a million miles away, under deep blue skies. As you can guess, it was inspired by the work of the famous post-impressionist painter Vincent Van Gogh and leads to the spacey "Robota", featuring short lyrics inspired by the work of Isaac Asimov. Then it's the turn of "I Wish I Could Fly", a piece full of positive energy. The last track "Echoes Mankind (Part I)" is more complex and describes in music and words silent weapons in a time where war and peace seemed to play to hide and seek. Well, all in all this is a good album if you like AOR but the progressive influences here are mild and prog fans risk to be a bit disappointed...

Latest members reviews

3 stars The Italian four piece formation Proteo started to play R&R in 1996 but very soon they changed their musical direction more towards progressive rock, gradually the band shaped their sound little by little through the years. Proteo released three demos: the first called A Glare From Depth in 1998 ... (read more)

Report this review (#1932806) | Posted by TenYearsAfter | Sunday, May 20, 2018 | Review Permanlink

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