CAREFUL!

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A group from Genoa, Italy, starting as a totally improvisational band in 2002, led by Alessandro Vernetti (guitar) and Carlo Barreca (aka zerothehero) (bass, Chapman stick).After numerous line-up changes the band moved on to more structured compositions and in 2004 they recorded the album ''Careful!''.This was not released before 2006 on Mellow Records, at a time when the participating members Cinzia Bernardi and Vittoria Mezzano (female vocals) and drummer William Bettucchi had already left Fungus.

Basically ''Careful!'' is a Heavy/Psych Rock album with progressive flourishes here and there, based on psychedelic guitars, dreamy female vocals or narrations and strong power rhythms, characterized by a nostalgic 70's-sounding rhythm section.Keyboards are used sporadically, mainly as a sound effect instrument than a real filler of the sound, still there are some nice parts like on ''Polipetide'' and its GENTLE GIANT-like clavinet solos.The album has an evident vintage feeling throughout, blending the British Psychedelia with more modern Indie Rock parts, including funky grooves or aggressive passages.The longer tracks even contain some trully psychedelic moments with repetitive guitar lines and hypnotic elements akin to the Kraut Rock movement, while the female singing parts become irritating with lots of sreaming parts and wordless lines.Also ''Latin Circle'' stands out for its excellent flute drives played by Barreca, another piece with a strong 70's mood, very much close to JETHRO TULL.

Nicely played Retro Psych/Prog with some superb vocal moments along with interesting and far from forgettable musicianship.Not really groundbreaking, but definitely deserving recommendation.