NOT A GOOD SIGN

It took a few listens but this just keeps getting better and better. NOT A GOOD SIGN is the combination of band members from YUGEN(Ske & Zago) and LA COSCIENZA DI ZENO(Calandriello & Colombi) plus drummer Martino Malacrida. I must admit the singer who I am familiar with took a while to get used to as at first as his vocals didn't seem to suit the music, but now i'm in all the way. He is the vocalist for LA COSCIENZA DI ZENO but here he sings in English. Lots of mellotron and emotion in this recording and anything Ske is involved with seems to be a winner as the instrumental work is beyond reproach.

"Almost I" is a killer instrumental where the band shows off their chops. They play with such precision and the mellotron is other-worldly. This is quite dark yet there are so many uplifting moments. A calm 4 1/2 minutes in then it starts to build after 5 minutes. "Almost II" has a beautiful intro with liquid keys before the fragile vocals arrive. It turns dark 1 1/2 minutes in as the vocals turn passionate. There are sweeping sounds in the background. "Not A Good Sign" features drums and organ early on before the vocals become the focus. He's crying out the lyrics as it were with a lot of effort. I like when it settles back each time. We get a great sounding instrumental break after 3 minutes including a Swedish vibe ala ANEKDOTEN. The vocals are back after 6 minutes then we get a good heavy ending.

"Making Stills" is an instrumental with a melancholic intro that turns fuller rather quickly. This is emotional for some reason. Flute after 2 minutes then it kicks into gear a minute later. This is complex and oh so impressive. Love the organ that follows. It turns spacey late as the keys swirl then it ends in a majestic manner. "Witchcraft By A Picture" has a heavy intro with some nasty organ before these sweet female vocals and a calm take over before 2 1/2 minutes. The vocals stop 4 minutes in as that mellow atmosphere continues. I really like the way it builds and again there's plenty of emotion here.Some nice piano melodies as well. "Coming Back Home" is a song that blows me away. I love his vocal style here and the mellotron. Such passionate vocals around 5 minutes then the synths lead to the end as the drums pound. "Flow On" has the same affect on me as the previous track. Those expressive vocals with plenty of mellotron are quite moving, some backing female vocals as well. "Defeaning Sound Of The Moon" is where the vocalist reminds me of Marco from SYLVAN. A dark and fairly heavy piece at times especially after 2 minutes. "Afraid To Ask" is the closing instrumental where the keys and strings standout.

Like LA COSCIENZA DI ZENO's debut i'm not sure why it took me so long to appreciate this but man this is a great record.