MAXOPHONE

4.5 stars. The bands I see MAXAPHONE compared to the most are PFM and LOCANDA DELLE FATE. GENESIS is mentioned a lot too, mostly I think because one of the two vocalists does sound like Peter Gabriel. I'm amazed at the way these guys change gears so fast during a song, and the different styles of music they play too. I do feel that the album loses steam towards the end. In fact the last two tracks really do little for me. The first six songs though are very impressive, and for those alone this is a 4 star record in my opinion.

"C'e Un Paese Al Mondo" opens with piano before guitar and a full sound arrives before a minute.This sounds incredible ! Especially the guitar. It changes to a GENESIS flavour as it calms down, then those Gabriel-like vocals come in with piano. Another change 3 1/2 minutes in as bass and flute lead the way.The organ and guitar a minute later sound fantastic but it's brief. Vocals are back 5 1/2 minutes in. Great sound. "Fase" opens with a nice guitar/drum intro. It changes after a minute but it still sounds really good. Sax then comes in. Guitar is back. Nice bass lines. Vibraphone 3 minutes in. Guitar is back after 4 minutes. Nice. Flute 6 minutes in. This song is constantly changing. "Al Mancato Compleanno Di Una Farfalla" opens with acoustic guitar, flute joins in and then vocals before 1 1/2 minutes. Beautiful sound. Horns are added. Some dirty organ before 4 minutes as vocals and sound gets fuller. Fantastic section !

"Elzeviro" opens with vocals and organ. The tempo picks up when the vocals stop after 1 1/2 minutes. Great sound.Vocals are back before 3 minutes. Guitar after 3 1/2 minutes. Vocals and organ are powerful after 5 1/2 minutes. "Mercanti Di Pazzie" opens with some harp. Light vocals join in. A change before 2 minutes as flute, vibraphone then a good beat takes over with vocals. Original melody is back. A relaxed section ends it. "Antiche Conclusioni Negre" is uptempo to open as horns and drums lead the way. Piano then organ make their presence felt. A calm before 2 minutes as vocals and piano take over. I like the sax / organ section before 5 minutes. Organ 7 minutes in with vocals ends it. "Il Fiscio Del Vapore" is a fairly mellow song. It fuller sounding 3 1/2 minutes in. "Cono Di Gelato" opens with acoustic guitar and reserved vocals. It's slower paced and I just can't get into it. Guitar ends it.

For me the last two songs reduces this to barely 4 stars, but it's easy enough to listen to the first six songs only. P.S. I just got a message from Tom Ozric who informed me that the last two songs are actually bonus tracks. So this is definitely a solid 4 to 4.5 album, but no Tom i'm not giving it a 5 as you suggested. Haha.