SPETTACOLO ANNULLATO

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'Spettacolo Annulato' was my first experience with Sithonia, and I still remember how fairly impressed I was (and still am) with this enormous amount of melodic creativity, clever ues of textures and counterpoints, emotional richness, and lots of energy in the performances. Sithonia's ensamble incarnates the inheritance of 76-79 era BMS, Corte dei Miracoli, Locanda delle Fate, and some classic Genesis, too, making a modernized approach the overall progressive result of these combined influences. The presence of keybiards is somehow predominant, but not overwhelming - beside some occasional soloing, the elaboration of symphonic layers and constant countermelodies seems to be the general rule for the use of keyboards in this band, leaving most of the lead parts to guitarrist extraordinaire Magni, a player who can travel easily from PFM's Mussida to Hackett to some delirious Fripp, depending on the demands of the pertinent musical motive. The rhythm section is also oustanding, showing a great technique and capability to sustain the sonic energy displayed by their fellow instrumentalists. Last but not least, Giovaninni uses his vocal range with a genine sensibility, something like Corte dei Miracoli's vocalist, but more virile and less melodramatic. The opening suite 'La Recita del Silenzio' is a gem in itself, and apparently the nucleus of this album, since a couple of other tracks revisit some of its motives. 'Merce!' is the most peculiar section, since it bears a definite humour perfectly blended in a garden party-meets-circus ambience (vocal impersonations included) - this section can be loosely described as a hybrid of Genesis' 'Willow Farm' and any Banco's merry tune. Other highlights of this album are tracks 4 and 6 (the use of tempo shifts is so gentñe that it makes it hard to believe, really), as well as the closing instrumental, a real killer full of different ideas that Sithonia merge with incredible ease and huge exquisitness. The abrupt stop at the lead singer's shout is a weird, yet effective climax. Of all sung tracks, 'Panolino' is the least special, since it finds the band travelling on the border between symphonic prog and pop-rock, but still you can find some old fashioned progressive complexity in some passages. Track 3 is a precious instrumental that reprises motifs used in the suite: guitarists Magni leaves momentarily his stringed instrument in favour of an extra third keyboard. Definitely, "Spetatacolo Annulato" is a brilliant opus of the Italian progressive scene of the 90s.

These guys participated a couple of "progressive gigs-festivals" near Como Lake in the early nineties, organized by my first ensemble of Lethe, and I know that their background- varying from the atmosphere concerning the Italian Pop Progressive scene, to the early albums by Steve Hackett (Do you remember his album "Voyage to the Accolyte"?!?)-has been always affected by this kind of stuff!! The production is a bit weak and sounds dated (except on their digital synths), nevertheless their use of two keyboards,accompanying the leading guitar,is remarkable... the harmonic solutions performed by the guitarist are the main part of their suites...of course it is not a complete emulation of Steve Hackett, but for sure their sound is resembling here his early albums!!Therefore you don't find bombastic solos, but the wall of sound is compact and the output is convincing many more listeners, as long as They keep on composing melodic albums with a symphonic approach at least (for sure the band Locanda delle Fate has been always another important music reference for them!)

Cause of the features above, I should prefer to give a "2 stars and an half" rating, as the melodic and rather interesting music lines by this ensemble from Bologna (Italy) sometimes are not completely developed...but it never minds, you can check this stuff out at least!!

This second album of the band is a definite improvement in comparison with their debut. The pop-rock songs are non-existing any longer and this album has a dramatically more symphonic approach.

The twenty-two minutes long opening epic "La Recita del Silenzio" holds all the bits and bites that you can expect of such a track: crafted vocal harmonies and most of all lots of keyboards. There is an undeniable ELP influence while the most bombastic sequences are played, but I would say that they are quite well merged in the whole.

This lengthy piece is mostly a peaceful track which is very enjoyable throughout. But it lacks of grandeur to make it memorable.

I prefer "Pannolino" and especially the drumming work which is excellent: Orio Cenacchi playing off- beat all the time is the highlight but the fine and jazzy guitar from Roberto Magni is not shy either. I would have expected more from the instrumental title track but "Spettacolo Annulato" is just a repetitive and childish track which holds no emotion; melody is also weak.

In this respect, I could not be more charmed than with "Il Canto Notturno Della Stella" which brings us into the finest Italian prog territories: this means passionate vocals, fine instrumentation and some good musical contrasts (soft versus more powerful). It is my favourite song from the album.

The upbeat closing track is also another fine part from this album. It holds heavier passages and sounds almost neo-prog (especially during the synths section). This track is very well distributed between melodic (guitar) and bombastic music.

Seven out of ten for this good album.

3.5 stars actually...

After releasing the fabulous ''Lungo il sentiero di pietra'' in 1989, which recieved very postive critics,SITHONIA moved on to the rehearsals of new material.Due to work commintments bassist Andrea Guglielmi decided to quit,replaced by guitarist Roberto Magni's friend Valerio Roda.Soon after great singer Paolo Marcheselli left and new vocalist Marco Giovannini enters the picture.Through a common friend SITHONIA came in touch with Mario Moroni from Mellow Records,who agreed to release the new album of the band on his label. ''Specttacolo annullato'' sees the light in autumn of 1992.

A few things have changed compared to the band's junior release.SITHONIA insist on playing their beloved Symphonic Rock style with many references on the great 70's bands.Maybe the biggest difference is the addition of a grand epic (''La recita del silenzio''), which clocks at over 22 minutes.The familiar elements of SITHONIA are always there: tons of melodic guitars,some grandiose piano parts,romantic vocals and a beautiful atmosphere,but some chessy-sounding keys as well, result a very nice track of changing moods.The rest of the tracks continue in a similar style but a bit more keyboard/piano-driven with distinctive yet inspired guitar parts and over-emotional vocals by new member Marco Giovannini,always wrapped up in a haunting symphonic orientation. Additionally the extensive instrumental parts create sensitive and imaginative soundscapes,which is what SITHONIA are best at.Overall this was another strong release for the band in a typical but always loving Italian Symphonic Prog approach,which only the chessy-keys spoil at some moments.Easily recommended!

I think the best part of this album is the pictures in the liner notes of the band members when they were kids. Funny but the two most humerous pictures are of the two keyboard guys. Conicidence ? I think not. Unlike the other reviewers I had a hard time getting into this one. It just never clicked with me at all. I don't like the sound of the synths and there are few moments that I actually enjoyed.

"La Recita Del Silenzio" is led by piano and vocals early.The tempo picks up and the sound gets fuller.The guitar is fairly heavy before 2 1/2 minutes but it's brief. A calm before 4 minutes with piano. Different people are speaking then those synths I don't like arrive. Vocals are back after 6 minutes. Another calm before 11 1/2 minutes then the tempo picks up quickly with vocals. More of those synths before 19 minutes. "Pannolino" is uptempo with guitar to start. A calm arrives quickly then it builds as vocals join in. Not a fan. "Spettacolo Annullato Pt 2" is my favourite track and it's an instrumental.

"Il Canto Notturno Della Stella" is vocal led and the drums and guitar become prominant too.The tempo picks up after 2 minutes then it settles back. A good instrumental section ends it. "Giorno Per Giorno (Represa)" is a very short acoustic guitar tune. "Il Racconto Di Una Sosta Imprevista" has a fairly heavy intro followed by a wimpy section as contrasts continue until 2 minutes in when the vocals arrive. Organ, piano and guitar lead after 3 minutes. "La Danza Del Gatto Sul Tetto" opens with organ then it kicks in. Sampled mellotron with guitar take over 6 minutes in and it's building.This is the best part of the whole album.

Not enough here to offer up that third star. Fans only.