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PREMIATA FORNERIA MARCONI (PFM)

Rock Progressivo Italiano • Italy


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Premiata Forneria Marconi (PFM) picture
Premiata Forneria Marconi (PFM) biography
Formed in Milan, Italy, in 1970 - Still active (after many changes and a hiatus between 1987 and 1997) as of 2017

The pioneer of Italian Progressive groups, PREMIATA FORNERIA MARCONI (PFM for short) is one of the leaders of the 70s prog movement. PFM developed a style which is uniquely Italian while maintaining links with the rest of the prog world. A lyrical, romantic and delicate music, full of fineness. A great melodic and instrumental richness, sumptuous compositions and arrangements. Sometimes compared with the early KING CRIMSON, the group had its own musical personality, with its elegant music.

"Per Un Amico" ("Photos of Ghosts") and "L'Isola di Niente" as well as their first, "Storia di un Minuto" are all virtual classics of progressive music, obviously influenced by early KING CRIMSON and GENESIS yet sounding nothing like them. The instrumentation is superb with fluid guitar, highly original synthesizer sounds, beautiful violin and flute, and ethereal vocals that are so important to the music, that replacing them with English vocals becomes a detriment. "The World Became the World" is another English-language album, but this time with the same music, so it's not as bad as "Photos Of Ghosts".

"Marconi Bakery" is a compilation of music from the first three Italian albums. "Jet Lag", from 1977, had much of the original PFM spirit with a jazz inclination, akin to groups such as ARTI E MESTIERI, though somewhat more low-key. "Suonare Suonare" came out in 1980, and saw PFM turning back toward their original sound, from the style of "Passpartu". On "PFM - Live in Japan 2002 (Tokyo)" the band plays classic tunes from the Seventies. A must for all prog fans...!

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PREMIATA FORNERIA MARCONI (PFM) discography


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PREMIATA FORNERIA MARCONI (PFM) top albums (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

2.56 | 62 ratings
Quelli (pre-PFM)
1969
4.34 | 1509 ratings
Storia Di Un Minuto
1972
4.40 | 1900 ratings
Per Un Amico
1972
4.02 | 610 ratings
Photos Of Ghosts
1973
4.20 | 973 ratings
L'Isola Di Niente
1974
4.03 | 421 ratings
The World Became the World
1974
3.96 | 532 ratings
Chocolate Kings
1975
3.19 | 347 ratings
Jet Lag
1977
3.06 | 208 ratings
Passpartù
1978
2.70 | 147 ratings
Suonare Suonare
1980
2.08 | 121 ratings
Come Ti Va In Riva Alla Città
1981
1.91 | 92 ratings
PFM? PFM!
1984
1.93 | 106 ratings
Miss Baker
1987
2.66 | 108 ratings
Ulisse
1997
3.01 | 115 ratings
Serendipity
2000
3.53 | 186 ratings
Dracula Opera Rock
2005
4.05 | 451 ratings
Stati Di Immaginazione
2006
3.47 | 127 ratings
A.D. 2010 - La Buona Novella
2010
3.85 | 177 ratings
PFM In Classic - Da Mozart A Celebration
2013
2.89 | 105 ratings
Emotional Tattoos
2017
3.42 | 67 ratings
I Dreamed of Electric Sheep / Ho sognato pecore elettriche
2021

PREMIATA FORNERIA MARCONI (PFM) Live Albums (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

4.12 | 214 ratings
Cook [Aka: Live in the USA]
1974
2.50 | 36 ratings
Performance
1982
3.28 | 29 ratings
PFM - 10 anni live 1971-81
1996
3.40 | 15 ratings
PFM - Absolutely Live 1971-1978
1996
2.96 | 5 ratings
PFM - The Best Of Absolutely Live 1971-1978
1996
3.10 | 28 ratings
www.pfmpfm.it (il Best)
1998
3.38 | 20 ratings
A Celebration Live
1998
3.67 | 15 ratings
PFM - Live In Japan
2002
3.88 | 88 ratings
Live In Japan 2002
2002
4.05 | 61 ratings
PFM & Pagani - Piazza Del Campo
2005
2.26 | 23 ratings
PFM canta De André (CD + DVD)
2008
4.28 | 60 ratings
Live in Roma (With Ian Anderson)
2012
4.52 | 22 ratings
Paper Charms: The Complete BBC Recordings 1974-1976
2014
4.17 | 38 ratings
Un' Isola
2014
4.07 | 27 ratings
Un amico
2014
4.07 | 27 ratings
A Ghost
2015
4.07 | 27 ratings
Un Minuto
2015
4.04 | 28 ratings
The World
2015
4.62 | 13 ratings
Il suono del tempo
2015
3.00 | 3 ratings
Live Collection - 25 novembre 1980
2015
3.55 | 9 ratings
Celebration - Live in Nottingham 1976
2019
4.24 | 8 ratings
The Event - Live in Lugano
2023

PREMIATA FORNERIA MARCONI (PFM) Videos (DVD, Blu-ray, VHS etc)

4.42 | 96 ratings
Live In Japan 2002
2002

PREMIATA FORNERIA MARCONI (PFM) Boxset & Compilations (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

2.08 | 6 ratings
PFM - The Award-Winnig Marcony Bakery
1976
3.27 | 11 ratings
Prime Impressioni
1976
4.00 | 5 ratings
Celebration
1976
3.33 | 6 ratings
PFM - Antologia
1977
2.33 | 3 ratings
L'album di... PFM
1988
3.00 | 4 ratings
PFM - I Grandi Del Rock
1993
1.78 | 12 ratings
P.F.M. Story
1995
2.40 | 5 ratings
I Miti Musica
2000
2.00 | 1 ratings
Pieces From Manticore
2000
3.60 | 5 ratings
Golden Collection
2001
3.78 | 11 ratings
Gli Anni Settanta
2002
3.53 | 6 ratings
I QUELLI (pre PFM): Flashback: I Grandi Successi Originali
2003
3.00 | 4 ratings
Cuore Rock
2006
4.24 | 17 ratings
35.... E Un Minuto
2007
4.00 | 22 ratings
River Of Life: The Manticore Years Anthology 1973-1977
2010
3.00 | 5 ratings
Amico Faber
2011
3.51 | 15 ratings
Celebration 1972-2012
2012

PREMIATA FORNERIA MARCONI (PFM) Official Singles, EPs, Fan Club & Promo (CD, EP/LP, MC, Digital Media Download)

2.00 | 4 ratings
I Krel - Fin che le braccia diventino ali
1970
4.63 | 7 ratings
La Carrozza Di Hans
1971
4.00 | 5 ratings
Celebration
1973
4.00 | 5 ratings
The World Became The World
1974
4.20 | 5 ratings
Four Holes In The Ground
1974
4.33 | 6 ratings
Dolcissima Maria
1974
3.40 | 5 ratings
Chocolate Kings
1975
2.00 | 4 ratings
Come Ti Va
1981

PREMIATA FORNERIA MARCONI (PFM) Reviews


Showing last 10 reviews only
 Cook [Aka: Live in the USA] by PREMIATA FORNERIA MARCONI (PFM) album cover Live, 1974
4.12 | 214 ratings

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Cook [Aka: Live in the USA]
Premiata Forneria Marconi (PFM) Rock Progressivo Italiano

Review by Warthur
Prog Reviewer

3 stars Recorded on the band's American tour, Cook finds PFM getting a warm welcome thanks in part to the greater prominence they gained in the English-speaking world as a result of their releases via ELP's Manticore label. This has plus sides and downsides; the vocals are predominantly in English (save for Dove... Quando..., due to that not having been translated for any of their English releases), and unfortunately to my ears seem a little weak (a common pitfall when singers try to perform in a second language they aren't entirely comfortable in).

That said, maybe the issue isn't with the vocal performances so much as it's with the mix - the vocals are a little overwhelmed at points, and Flavio Premoli's keyboards are given a lot of prominence. The band seem to be leaning into the ELP association here, presenting the material in a somewhat more brash manner than on their studio albums and with the keyboards of Premoli and Franz Di Cioccio's frantic drumming given a lot of prominence, and there's hints of the more jazz-oriented direction they'd evolve in after this.

With the recording quality being serviceable but not stellar, I'm left feeling that PFM weren't especially well-served by this live release; it comes across as being hastily recorded and knocked out in a hurry (and the artwork doesn't exactly contradict that impression). The raw ingredients here are good, but deserved perhaps a more pristine presentation than it gets.

 Chocolate Kings by PREMIATA FORNERIA MARCONI (PFM) album cover Studio Album, 1975
3.96 | 532 ratings

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Chocolate Kings
Premiata Forneria Marconi (PFM) Rock Progressivo Italiano

Review by Hector Enrique
Prog Reviewer

4 stars Relevant players on the progressive scene on their own merits, Premiata Forneria Marconi go for more and for the release of "Chocolate Kings", their first album directly phrased in English, they incorporate Bernardo Lanzetti, ex- member of Acqua Fragile, an Italian band with similar roots, as their lead singer. With a deeper and more histrionic tone than Franco Mussida, very much given to describing crystalline melodic landscapes, Lanzetti and his voice evidently related to that of Peter Gabriel, contributes to PFM's musical proposal acquiring a denser and more dramatic texture, tucked undisguised under the umbrella of the recognisable structures of the genre.

The album is sustained by the vertigo and anxiety of its bipolar developments, as in the demanding "From Under" and Lanzetti's vocal dalliances, or in the allegorical and initially acoustic "Harlequin" and its intense instrumentation featuring Mauro Pagani's violins and flutes and Flavio Premoli's vertiginous keyboards, or in the accelerated "Chocolate Kings" where, once again, Premoli and his keyboards (with a very present Hammond), engage in a colourful dispute with Mussida's guitars.

And without a pause for breath, two tracks of Genesian lineage to complete a very good album: the splendorous "Out of the Roundabout" and its superb instrumentation, shows, as on the whole album, a decidedly energetic Franz Di Cioccio on percussion, before moving on to the heartbroken "Paper Charms", with Pagani's schizoid violin standing out, with Lanzetti pushing his vocal chords to the limit until the epic finale.

The controversy surrounding the band's support for the Palestinian cause at a very sensitive time meant that they had problems with the proper dissemination and distribution of "Chocolate Kings" in the North American market, limiting their chances of success on a wider scale. A pity.

3.5/4 stars

 L'Isola Di Niente by PREMIATA FORNERIA MARCONI (PFM) album cover Studio Album, 1974
4.20 | 973 ratings

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L'Isola Di Niente
Premiata Forneria Marconi (PFM) Rock Progressivo Italiano

Review by Hector Enrique
Prog Reviewer

4 stars Still echoing the successful receptivity of the English-speaking market to "Photos Of Ghosts", the English-language adaptation of "Per Un Amico", Premiata Forneria Marconi releases in their mother tongue "L'Isola Di Niente", their fourth album. With an elaborated and muscular production, the band is involved in the development of more complex structures compared to their previous works, which, although they maintain the influences of the main referents of the genre, once again add ingredients of their own.

From the experimental piece that gives its name to the album "L'Isola Di Niente", and its prolonged instrumental interlude featuring Franco Mussida's screeching guitar and Franco Premoli's keyboards, and preceded by a disturbing choral arrangement courtesy of the Accademia Paolina Da Milano, the Italians show a robustness in their musical proposal that is reinforced with the very progressive "La Luna Nuova" and all the textures that Premoli extracts from his keyboards, headed by the stellar moog.

Without leaving aside its Mediterranean roots with the beautiful "Dolcissima Maria" and its melodious and rhythmic acoustic tempos, and since the incorporation of Jan Patrick Djivas on bass replacing Giorgio Piazza, PFM also delves into deep jazzy atmospheres as with the watery "Is My Face On Straight", the English-sung piece on the album, but especially with "Via Lumiere", where Djivas' bass and Franz Di Cioccio's dynamic drumming carry most of the disparate instrumentation until the festive and luminous closing with the full band.

"L'Isola Di Niente" ratified PFM as the Italian progressive band with the greatest repercussion and international success and, with the help of the record label of their referents E,L&P, they spread their talent beyond the peninsular borders.

Very good.

4 stars

 Per Un Amico by PREMIATA FORNERIA MARCONI (PFM) album cover Studio Album, 1972
4.40 | 1900 ratings

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Per Un Amico
Premiata Forneria Marconi (PFM) Rock Progressivo Italiano

Review by Hector Enrique
Prog Reviewer

4 stars Less than a year passed after the successful debut album "Storia Di Un Minuto", for Premiata Forneria Marconi to give a second and accurate impact with "Per un Amico". Maintaining the formula that combines the traditional mood of their vernacular music with the undisguised influences of progressive genre icons such as Genesis and EL&P among others, the Italians elaborate their own proposal sustained by their excellent musical quality.

Although "Per Un Amico" shows more dynamics and elaboration than its predecessor "Storia Di Un Minuto", once again the melodious developments are the ones that set the pace of the album. As in the pastoral "Appena un Po'" and its restful acoustic landscapes lulled by Franco Mussida's vocals, Mauro Pagani's flutes and Flavio Premoli's genesian organs and melotrons, passing through the chromatic "Per Un Amico", an exercise of Mussida's rhythm guitars with Pagani's violins, fused in symbiosis with Premoli's all powerful moog, to the crystalline "Il Banchetto" where after an opening rhythm guitars, Premoli again shows off his arsenal of Keith Emerson-style keyboards. One of the best on the album.

And this generalised atmosphere, at times more introspective, at times more luminous, is momentarily contrasted by the combative "Generale". An instrumental maelstrom, where Mussida's electric guitars are unleashed in a compulsive screeching and Franz Di Cioccio's doubled percussion resembles a military march, to round off the album's most contrasting track.

The success of "Per Un Amico" crossed the Alpine borders to such an extent that Greg Lake became interested in PFM to the point that the Italians became one of the star bands represented by the "Manticore" label, founded by E,L&P.

Excellent.

4/4.5 stars

 Storia Di Un Minuto by PREMIATA FORNERIA MARCONI (PFM) album cover Studio Album, 1972
4.34 | 1509 ratings

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Storia Di Un Minuto
Premiata Forneria Marconi (PFM) Rock Progressivo Italiano

Review by Hector Enrique
Prog Reviewer

5 stars Influenced by the expansive progressive winds blowing from the British Isles since the late 60's and early 70's, Premiata Forneria Marconi absorbed and experimented with the new textures and their endless possibilities, and fused them with elements of the proud native folk music to create a recognisable identity of their own. It is in this context of effervescence and creative freedom that the Italians released the relaxed "Storia Di Un Minuto", considered at the time one of the best debut albums of the genre.

Generally reflective and melodic landscapes are sustained by a neat and impeccable instrumentation, as in the autumnal "Impressioni di Settembre", which as soon as the brief and crimsonian "Introduzione" is finished, plunges into an arpeggiated acoustic development and Franco Mussida's whispering singing, where the flutes and the moog, a novelty for the peninsulars, add a misty and dramatic effect, or in the medieval and sentimental "Dove.... Quando... (Part I)", or in the atmospheric "La Carrozza di Hans" that although it follows the same introspective acoustic path, towards its progressive epilogue introduces electric guitars and genesian melotrons.

But "Storia Di Un Minuto" also has its own festive moment with the lighthearted and successful "E Festa", a piece developed in the best Italian tarantella style in prog rock mode and driven by the extroverted keyboards of Flavio Premoli. The same Premoli, very much in the style of Keith Emerson on the keyboards, also stars in the interesting "Dove... Quando... (Part II)", a jazzy improvisation supported by a hesitant flute and violins, both played by Mauro Pagani.

The upbeat "Grazie Davvero" and its calm beginning and subsequent instrumental development, which includes experimental orchestral sounds, up to its arpeggiated acoustic ending, closes the album peacefully.

With no low points to overshadow its content, "Storia Di Un Minuto" is an unbeatable starting point for Premiata Forneria Marconi, one of the iconic bands of the Italian progressive movement and the one with the greatest international repercussion.

4.5 stars

 The Event - Live in Lugano by PREMIATA FORNERIA MARCONI (PFM) album cover Live, 2023
4.24 | 8 ratings

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The Event - Live in Lugano
Premiata Forneria Marconi (PFM) Rock Progressivo Italiano

Review by TenYearsAfter

4 stars AND NOW FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT ?.. CLASSIC ITALIAN PROG!

In the late Seventies I discovered the captivating Classic Italian Prog, my first LP was The World Became The World (from 1974) by PFM, I was absolutely delighted, and it was the start of my eternal Italian prog quest, old and new. In 2016 a prog dream came true when I witnessed a PFM gig in the Dutch 'prog temple' De Boerderij. And anno 2023 I got PFM its new album The Event Live In Lugano to review, full circle!

This live record features two special guests: the very talented Matteo Mancuso (born in 1996) on guitar and Barock Project member Luca Zabbini on the mighty Hammond organ. It contains 16 tracks, spanning the time between the first album Storia Di Un Minuto from 1972 until their latest effort, the acclaimed Ho Sogna Pecore Elettrica (2023).

My highlights.

The orchestral sound in the dynamic and varied Mondi Paralleli.

From dreamy with wonderful native vocals, fragile electric guitar work, an intense violin and electric guitar sound and tender piano to halfway a slow rhythm with rock guitar and cheerful violin, then gradually more lush with Hammond and Minimoog, and in the end a fiery guitar solo in Il Respiro Del Tempo.

Spectacular work on a wah wah drenched violin, swirling Hammond, flashy Minimoog with pitchbend and heavy guitar solo in the exciting instrumental Transumanza Jam.

The ballad Impressioni Di Settembre (6:32) that features twanging guitar and beautiful violin and vocals in a dreamy atmosphere, halfway fat Minimoog flights and inspired vocals, how compelling, goose bumps!

A blistering guitar solo with wah wah in the varied and tastefully coloured (Hammond, electric piano, acoustic guitar) La Carrozza Di Hans.

Impressive guitar play in the instrumental Cyber Alpha.

Between classical themes on the violin and heavy electric guitar in the instrumental La Danza Dei Cavalieri Con Il Potere Dell'Amore e Gli Amanti Di Verona.

Virtuosic work on guitar, piano and drums and great interplay in the eclectic Mr 9 till 5.

A wah wah drenched violin sound and propulsive drums beats in Violin Jam, as a prelude to the Ouverture William Tell, what an exciting rendition, with the focus on the violin.

And finally the cheerful Minimoog flights in the swinging 'crowd pleaser' Celebration, again goose bumps!

If I compare my live albums from PFM Live In USA (1974) and Piazza Del Campo (2003) with this 2023 live album I notice that each era PFM delivers quality, skills, passion and, last but not least, inventive musical ideas, like the integration of the heavy guitar by Matteo Mancuso, wow, what a band, still after all those decades!

 Storia Di Un Minuto by PREMIATA FORNERIA MARCONI (PFM) album cover Studio Album, 1972
4.34 | 1509 ratings

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Storia Di Un Minuto
Premiata Forneria Marconi (PFM) Rock Progressivo Italiano

Review by WJA-K

3 stars This album is absolutely fantastic. But I don't love it as much as their third.

Introduzione - Sets the stage for this album nicely 8/10

Impressioni di Settembre - Instrumentally, I like the song a lot. I'm not as fond of the vocals on this one. It sounds a bit thin to me. I love the ending the most. Epic. 8/10

E' Festa -Straightforward start, but the keys bring variety to the song. It jumps all over the place in tone and style. And I like that. 8.5/10

Dove... Quando... (Parte I) - Beautiful song. Well played and quietly paced 8.5/10

Dove... Quando... (Parte II) - A mishmash of styles on this one. As on an adventure. Still, it sounds a bit outdated to me 8/10

La Carrozza di Hans -Another song that everything but the kitchen sink. Pleasant, a good listen, but not knocking me off my feet 8/10

Grazie Davvero- Nice closer. No more and no less. 8/10

I don't see the appeal for this one. It pales in comparison with contemporary work. I rate it 3 stars. Which means it is good.

 Per Un Amico by PREMIATA FORNERIA MARCONI (PFM) album cover Studio Album, 1972
4.40 | 1900 ratings

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Per Un Amico
Premiata Forneria Marconi (PFM) Rock Progressivo Italiano

Review by WJA-K

5 stars This album is right up my alley. I love this one so much. This is a highlight in the prog genre. This again shows how great the early seventies were and how stale many current albums are in comparison. It says enough for me that I rate this one so high despite the other gems that came out around that time. This is one of the better ones indeed.

Appena un Po' - is a great opener showing all the skills this band has 9/10

Generale - A bit more funky but still very varied. Another nice pone 8.5/10

Per un Amico - Very delicate but still nicely developing song 9/10

Il Banchetto - The highlight of the album for me 10/10

Geranio - Perfect closer of the album 9/10

This is a must-listen for the prog fan. Easy 5 stars album.

 Per Un Amico by PREMIATA FORNERIA MARCONI (PFM) album cover Studio Album, 1972
4.40 | 1900 ratings

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Per Un Amico
Premiata Forneria Marconi (PFM) Rock Progressivo Italiano

Review by arymenezes

5 stars Some albums, for me, aren´t good or great to hear. They go further and deliver a profound experience. I know this effort for a long time, and it still moves my heart and mind. If the whole work was really made for a friend, as its title suggests (Per um amico ? For a friend), this relation was truly inspiring and full of high-standard emotions/experiences.

The CD on which I'm making this review is the 2001 BMG Ricordi edition, which doesn't have any bonus tracks. And my translation of the titles of the songs are made with Google translator. First I'll present an overall view of my analysis, then some observations will be pointed on each track.

When it comes to show how italian prog rock scenario is one of the bests in the world, this work can be indicated as an illustrious example. Four or maybe the totallity of the five musicians masters their instruments, and all of them make vocal participations, even though there is a lead vocalist. There are magnificent tunes based on avant-garde rock, classical music, mediterranean songs and some jazz feelings, almost all the time structured as symphonic prog.. If you don't know this work, my description can induce you to think that it can be confusing, too noisy and/or excessive. Not at all, at least for me. And it's easy to discover that many other listeners and I agree on this point. But if you're a fan that doesn't like complex prog, when too much instruments play at the same time, and/or when there are too many notes together at once. In this case, I'd suggest you start with side B of this release. And if you enjoy complexity, I think you'll know what to do. For me, even the most complex snippets are accesible, including when almost all of them are kind of soloing at the same time. This is the characteristic most intriguing to my rational mind, how they managed to reach such perfect balance between harmony and disharmony, with such richness, and therefore keeping it fresh through so many years of hearing. About the instruments, the sleeve informations states that three of the line-up handles many instruments. Even though the drummer doesn't appear playing many instruments, he performs a wide variety of rhythms and harmonies. And has a rare abbility, to modulate the force of the hits.

First track, Appena um Po (Just a Bit), starts with the synth and a tune that looks like it's coming from an harp, but I suppose it's taken from the mandolim. Very angelical. The acoustic guitar, with a mediterranean touch, makes the transition to the flute and harpsichord. This last one is played with an absolutely surprising and stunning harmony, which I've never heard on such instrument, while the others make an apotheotic crescendo. Vocal harmonies with one, two or three singers are subtle, elegant and lyric. Acoustic guitar and flute, by the end of this song, makes some unusual tunes.

Guitar, piano, drums and violin print a vigorous introduction to Generale (it's more probable that the translation is General, however it can also be Generic). Then they go to a march on drums,/piano, flute and the synth. A transition is made with a church organ, and it finishes with that vigorous mood once again.

Track three starts angelical. Per um Amico (For a Friend) is the track where the chords and the bass make awesome contributions, especially the violin solo and the fiercing lyricism of the acoustic guitar. The last one leads a fantastic and rapid harmony. And it is also the acoustic guitar that slows down the path to brilliantly end the track.

A vibrant tune on the acoustic guitar is accompanied by some effusive singing on fourth track Il Banchetto (The Banquet). The piano keeps up the pace. This spirit lasts through practically the whole song, with the exception to an avant-gardé synth work on its middle. This is the only short part of this track that IMO isn't perfect. But it's short, and they slowly regain most part of their genius.

Flute, acoustic guitar and vocals gently and moderatly begin Gerànio (Genarium). They delicatly and gradually explore the composition. Indeed, this happens many other times on this album, there is no hurry to execute. Part of the middle of this song is the only part that is not so brilliant, but is a very good part. Well, the second half of the track is a fabulous symphonic prog effort that slowly grows in complexity and energy.

Side A is all 5-stars. Side B is between 4.7 and 4.9.

 L'Isola Di Niente by PREMIATA FORNERIA MARCONI (PFM) album cover Studio Album, 1974
4.20 | 973 ratings

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L'Isola Di Niente
Premiata Forneria Marconi (PFM) Rock Progressivo Italiano

Review by Dapper~Blueberries
Prog Reviewer

3 stars PFM? PFM! In the grand scale of the RPI movement, there are three bands I commonly think of: Banco Del Mutuo Soccorso, Area, and Premiata Forneria Marconi, or PFM for abbreviation. PFM is kind of the most stand out and recognizable band of the whole RPI movement, kinda like how, say, Caravan was for the Canterbury Scene, or Can in the Krautrock department. There is a good reason why, they are not only the most accessible in terms of RPI, with all the weirdness of Area or the more psychedelic Le Orme, but their sound is very comfortable to get through in terms of symphonic and folk styles of progressive rock fans. Obviously, their most recognizable workings are Storia Di Un Minuto and Per Un Amico, or even the odd Photos Of Ghosts and Chocolate Kings, but recently I have been listening to their fourth (technically third since Photos Of Ghosts is a English remix album for Per Un Amico) studio album, L'isola Di Niente, quite a bit, and it does deliver in terms of some really golden RPI music, but it is not without its flaws..

Unlike the band's previous, more folk and classical sounding works of prog rock fare, L'isola Di Niente takes a different approach and instead implements more rock, jazz, and even slight bits of Gentle Giantesque experimental rock flairs, specifically with the last track of Via Lumiere. I think this new interpretation of PFM's sound definitely has its benefits, as it shows the band can dabble to more prog rock ideals than what they were comfortable doing within their last three records. Additionally, the focus on making their music more proggy in a sense is a great change of pace for me, as previous records had a lot more short handed songs, as opposed to here with the title track being this long and spiraling 10 minute piece. This album really does give itself a new PFM flair for appreciation.

I think that, while this change of direction is good for the band to take, I also feel like they are pulling their inspirations a bit too heavily here, and I think it became a bit of a habit later on with their next 2 records. While these songs are admittedly great, a lot of them feel very much like songs you'd hear from other bands, specifically Yes and Genesis. The guitar playing provided by Franco Mussida has the same flairs and catches as Steve Howe, and a lot of the keyboard playing elements from Flavio Premoli has a considerable Tony Banks aspects to them. They are sort of losing themselves within the threshold of their inspirations, and it is showing a bit more than usual. This, to me, is where I think PFM was losing their original magic, as, while this may sound like an original sound to PFM, they really aren't making it their own on here. It isn't bad to pull from your contemporaries or your inspirations, in fact that is how retro prog bands like The Flower Kings and Wobbler got their footing later on, but here, it, to me, PFM is starting to ditto out and become a bit of copycats, kinda like what bands like Gryphon would do with records like Treason later on after the prog rock hype died down in the late 70s.

This is far from a bad record, not by a long shot, but I cannot help but see it as far from an original and magical album. All of these songs are good and played to the best of the band's abilities, but I cannot help but find the abilities here to be in a rather muddy place. While I cannot say it is all downhill from here in terms of good music from the band, it is the beginning of a new, less PFM sounding PFM.

Thanks to ProgLucky for the artist addition. and to projeKct for the last updates

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