IL VOLO

Il Volo is a unique Italian progressive rock band. This album has very little resemblance with other Italian bands like Banco, PFM and Le Orme: the keyboards are less melodic here, and they are not organ-moog oriented: they are rather electric piano-clavinet oriented, with many floating ambiences; the electric guitars solos are more omnipresent and conventional too.

This is their first record, entirely sung in Italian. The bass is varied, very loud and bottom. The expressive and addictive lead & backing vocals enhance the overall quality of this record. There are many electric mandolin parts, which are a bit their trademark. There are many subtly floating keyboards a la Pink Floyd's "Animals". The numerous melodic guitar solos are impressive, although they don't have very noticeable pedal effects. There are MANY mellow and fast electric piano parts, and some exuberant clavinet arrangements. The drums are very varied, fast and refined. The acoustic guitars take an good part in the music. There are some acoustic piano, especially on the last track, which contrasts with the TONS of previously played electric piano. The harpsichord (cembalo) parts are very hard to detect. Il Volo only made 2 records: this one is more conventional than the next one, being more instrumental, mellow and experimental.

Rating: 4.5 stars