1984 - L'ULTIMO UOMO D'EUROPA

Until I heard this debut from LA FABBRICA DELL'ASSOLUTO I can honestly say I've never heard a band that sounded anything like IL BALETTO DI BRONZO. Yes this is a huge compliment and I also thought of ELP and NUOVA ERA thanks to those filthy organ expressions on here. This is a concept album based on George Orwell's classic book but it's all lost on me since I don't know Italian.

"I Due Minuti Dell'odio" opens with some powerful atmosphere before sampled words and sounds take over. When the music kicks in around a minute it's so impressive, especially the organ. Amazing sound after 2 minutes, it's like I'm in heaven. "4 Aprile 1984" is where we hear the vocals for the first time and they are very good to say the least in the Italian tradition. The organ creates atmosphere but then it all becomes more passionate including the vocals and it's so emotional. Synths cry out followed by guitar. "Chi Controlla Il Passato..." opens with some heavy guitar as the vocals kick in with power. The guitar counters the synths which sounds cool then the vocals return as themes are repeated.

"O'Brien" has a powerful intro with crazy synths as the vocals cry out. A calm follows as we get a powerful atmosphere that vibrates the soundscape as fragile vocals join in. It picks up then we get some sampled words late. "Bispensiero" is dark with liquid keys sprinkled in along with experimental sounds. Man this is like classic Krautrock, very "out there" if you know what I mean. The guitar comes in before 2 1/2 minutes and fires off some rounds as whispered vocals come and go. What a song! "La Ballata Dei Prolet" has a lot of tension throughout with strong vocals and prominent organ. "L'occhio Del Teleschermo" features some killer pulsating organ as the guitar and drums try to keep pace. Vocals join in. Great sound!

"Giulia" has lots of floating organ on it. "Lo Sguardo Nel Quadro" has fast paced organ expressions and drums as the vocals join in briefly. "Processo Di Omologazione" is by the far the longest track at around 12 1/2 minutes. Heavy guitar to start as drums and bass join in. Nice. A bass solo follows then some organ runs followed by passionate vocals. More filthy organ runs before 3 minutes with vocals, guitar and more. Check out the synths after 3 1/2 minutes. Great sound before 5 1/2 minutes as well. Another calm before 7 minutes which is a beautiful section then it kicks back in around 8 1/2 minutes briefly before turning pastoral again as contrasts continue. Big finish.

"La Stanza 101" opens with floating organ and I love the liquid keys with drums that follow. Reserved vocals are next and they turn more passionate after 2 1/2 minutes. It picks back up 4 1/2 minutes in. "La Canzone Del Castagno" features guest vocals from the singer for IL ROVESCIO DELLA MEDAGLIA. It opens with acoustic guitars then picks up some as the organ and drums join in and more. The fragile vocals 1 1/2 minutes in quickly turn theatrical as these contrasts continue. So much emotion. "Amava Il Grande Fratello" like the opening track has sampled words and sounds followed by orchestral music then spoken words. We then get a long silence until the piano arrives 5 minutes in to the end.

What more can I say? This is my favourite RPI album of 2015 hands down and of course it will be on my "album of the year" list.