FARO

Formed in 2008 and hailing from Tuscany, young Italian band Tacita Intesa released an energetic little self-titled disc back in 2014 that showed tons of promise with its mix of peppy song-writing and light Italian prog-rock influences. Fast-forward a couple of years, some honing of skills further and one confidence-boosting pledge-music campaign supported by a small bunch of fans who always saw the potential in the group later, and the results show that the five-piece act have stepped up in a big way for their second release `FARO'.

What a difference a few years make! Even if Tacita Intesa retain the frequently indie-rock modelled song-based approach, they've grafted it to a bigger grandness, a strengthened sure purpose and laced their arrangements with no shortage of demented little instrumental explosions in a range of genres and styles, and `FARO' proves to be a very vibrant and colourful work that diverts in endless directions yet always stays firmly grafted to a melodic song framing.

Looking at some highlights, `Polena' offers plenty of Alessandro Granelli and Filippo Colongo's spirited alternating acoustic/electric guitar interplay, new member Davide Boschi's compelling drumming, Daniele Stocchi's swirling spirals of synths and Thomas Crocini's murmuring bass, and in between Alessandro's raspy lead vocal, there's little hints of a PFM-like strident pomp infiltrating much of the track, and it makes for an approachable yet not obviously commercial opening tune. `Solaris' jangles with break-neck schizo bursts and perky instrumental tantrums throughout its near seven minutes that call to mind another younger Italian band in La Forza Elletro Motrice/FEM Prog Band and some moments have a weary Aldo Tagliapietra/Le Orme quality (and dig that strangled guitar soloing!), and the dreamy `Terra' reminds of Unreal City in the way it erupts with whirring keyboard energy.

The seven-plus minute `Cometa' is part joyous indie-popper with an impossibly sun-kissed chorus and gorgeous multi-way group harmonies before a fanciful instrumental finale of trilling synths, heroic guitar strains and elegant sax courtesy of guest Leonardo Beltramini. `Grazie Sears' is a cheerful acoustic pop song that also unleashes trippy electronics and muscular guitars, the playful `Eureka' deliciously twists in different directions every few moments, and `Massacramenti' initially dials things back for a slow-burn bluesy mellow rocker with lovely trickles of humming Hammond organ, Moog spirals and sparkling electric piano. `Onda Nera' grinds through fun blasts of wig-out keyboard soloing, tortured psychedelic guitar grooves and twitching electronic distortion, and closer `La Città che Sale' is a buoyant and punchy finale with more inviting group vocals full of comradery around fuzzy guitar runs.

For a band like Tacita Intesa, this is everything a second album should be - a refining of rough edges or unsure steps, a purposeful show of confidence and growing ambition with dizzying instrumental prowess constantly on display around some winning tunes...and there's still a sense that this band will reach even higher on successive discs. If you'd like to hear one of the bright youthful hopes of the modern Italian prog scene, absolutely investigate this talented young combo, and `FARO' is not only a victory for the fellas in the group, but a standout Italian 2018 prog release.

Four stars.