REALE ACCADEMIA DI MUSICA

The debut album by Reale Accademia di Musica is a tour de force of Italian prog from the celebrated RPI boom of 1972. It distinguishes itself from other albums from the Italian scene of the time in its diversity of influence and sound. As far as influence goes, the band show a broader range of influences than typical RPI bands - as well as the usual Genesis and Jethro Tull references, and the less frequent nod to Van der Graaf Generator, I can hear the influence of Procol Harum and Rare Bird on the group's sound. When it comes to sound, the album begins in a very gentle, soft, pastoral place, and over the course of its songs gets louder and heavier until it concludes with wild guitar solos and virtuoso keyboard playing worthy of ELP or Deep Purple. Truly an exceptional album from a truly exceptional period in progressive rock.