FORSE ANCORA POESIA

Ever have one of those groups that you like but you feel funny admitting to others that you like? So I'm going to be a "tough guy" and say that I grew up loving Metallica's "Master of Puppets" or Black Sabbath's "Paranoid" and "Guns and roses" and many other hard/heavy albums. And of course, Zarathustra, Jumbo, Balletto Di Bronzo, Semiramis, etc...

And then I'm going to be the "mellowing out" 50+ year old guy that I am and also say that I like "I, Pooh's" albums from "Opera Prima" thru "Boomerang" and consider them to be some of the finest mellow/melodic albums ever created.

I respect the "low ratings" this band gets here in progarchives. I, however, am writing that off as "low ratings due to non-progressive material" rather than "just bad music". Seriously, these albums are everybit as melodic as the Beatles in their 1967-1970 era. I'm going on a limb to say they're just as good.

Pooh's trademark tends to be lush vocal harmonies, melodic buildups with key changes as well as dramatic orchestrations (sometimes just with a mellotron).

This album was their answer to a low-selling (but yet excellent) album a few months earlier. Although I agree the songs on this album are mainly of a pop nature, these are some very good songs if you're a fan of the poppier tunes from New Trolls in their 3-"Concerto Grosso"-albums.

"Corri Corri" starts the album out in a melancholic-way with accoustics and a chorus that sounds like CSN/Beatles. The album pretty much maintains that feel all the way thru. Really the only track I skip is the "Wild Track" which tends to be a hint at some sort of country-twang. As the previous poster of this review mentions, "Quinta Stagione" is probably the best from a progressive standpoint even if it is instrumental.

"Cara Bellissima" has an opening piano riff / accoustic orchestra (that repeats itself thruout) and melody that just takes me back to my childhood days. It's "so gorgeous 70's". Great tune even if others may fall asleep to it.

I can't get past how emotional the closing title track is for me. It triggers the childhood memories with my family. I can't place why. It just does. It almost reminds me of the main theme of "Edward Scissorhands" done by Danny Elfman. The wordless/vocals humming along with the orchestration (this could be a mellotron) is some of the best I've ever heard. This could be the answer to "Good Night" which closed out the Beatles - white album. However, this particular/song/melody is infinitely better to my ears. Put it this way, if I died and immediately heard this song. I would know, without a doubt, that the angels of heaven are calling me. The song is that good.

However I will caution others. If you don't like soft/mellow romantic italian-rock, run as far away as you can from this album and ignore everything I said.

I, Pooh's albums from their "Opera prima" thru "Boomerang" period contain some of the best melodies that may have ever come out of Italy. But please do listen with an open-mind and wipe out all of your contexts to the other heavier progressive albums from Italy.

I have to be in the mood to listen to this band. When I'm stressed and/or need to wind down after a long day, this stuff is perfect.

I put this rating here but I honestly feel Pooh's low ratings on this site may be because they're not progressive enough for progressive-ears. I won't dispute that. But I will stand tall and pat and say these melodies are everybit as good as songs like "The long and winding road", "Let it be", "Across the Universe", "Golden Slumbers", "Because", etc.. by the Beatles. And yeah, those were not progressive either.

Give Pooh a try. Check out youtube, there's a bunch of their songs to freely sample. I have not reviewed Alessandra but check out the title track. Perfect for a romantic dinner with your significant other.

I, Pooh, you Pooh, we all Pooh, long live the Pooh!