COLLAGE

Collage is a pleasant early RPI album that is still heavily rooted in 60's psychedelicca. The compositional mastery of the two following albums is not reached yet, but the typical romantic melancholy of Le Orme's vocals are in place. The music has a loose and spacey feel, featuring lots of piano, Hammond organ and some synths. The songwriting is ok and varied but it is more flowery and poppy then the two following albums. Also the instrumental sections are enjoyable but never outstanding.

I instantly appreciated this album but after repeated listens I remained somewhat dissatisfied. The songs are fairly predictable and I miss depth, both in the music and in the performance. Except for the vocals and my favourite track Cemento Armato, Le Orme still sounds like a band searching for its identity.

Collage is a fine album, but it misses the musical stamina and excellence to measure up to what was coming.