NEW TROLLS

Here we have an album by one of Italy's most beloved Pop-groups, New Trolls. This album is actually a compilation of early 7 inch singles, much in the same way as Le Orme's 'L'Aurora Delle Orme' was prepared for the market-place. Not so much Prog-rock, but some well-crafted melodies and Proto-prog ideas abound, as demonstrated in quite a few songs. Opening tune 'Una Miniera' is a well performed and constructed song with a lovely melody and guitarist Nico Di Palo's (or is it Vittorio De Scalzi's ?) distinctive vocals, which shows-off at being a fine 'Hard-Rock' oriented voice. Backed by a somewhat syrupy string arrangement, it's understandable how it became a popular hit in their homeland. 'Cosa Pensiamo Dell'Amore', is firmly in the Psychedelic vein with it's bouncy 10/8 rhythm, cool organ play and blistering guitaring - this is such a great piece of music. 'Lei Mi Diceva' is rocking as anything, energetic rhythms with the fiesty guitar play actually steers this song towards the heavier end of late 60's Pop/Rock. 'Quella Musica' is a melancholic ballad, pleasant, but not really distinguishable from the many other bands churning out songs of this nature, where-ever they were from. 'Corro Da Te' starts off with some fuzzy guitar, and kicks in with an 'underground' sounding rhythm, rumbling bass and startling lead guitar breaks. Another fine track. 'Sensazioni' finishes up the first side with a song that reminds me of 'Gloria', although the mid-section features some shimmering organ and clever multi-part vocalising. 'Una Nuvola Bianca' is a surprisingly dazzling track, alternating between harder sounding verses awash with acid-guitars, to a catchy chorus. The introduction to 'Annalisa' has some strange organ and guitar sounds leading briefly into a heavier section, and simmers down into a fine pop-tune - again it's the organ and guitars providing the interesting musical colour here. 'Un'Ora' is a bit dull, though contains some Spanish guitar touches. 'Io Che Ho Te' is a rather generic late 60's pop song which just passes by. The 'beat' oriented 'Visioni' reminds me of something the Mamas and Pappas came up with in the West-Coast Psychedelic boom. I can't say I'm a big fan of this. 'Davanti Agli Occhi Miei' is up-tempo pop, with a cheerful melody and some tastefully played organ. Overall, from a Progressive viewpoint, this is by no means a guitar or organ driven music, the emphasis is really on the vocals, with the music providing the melody for the vocal lines. Of course, this was common practice for many groups at the time, although in some cases here, New Trolls offers up some inspired moments and creativity, making it a decent purchase, though perhaps for those wishing to trace back the band's humble beginnings.