ABBIAMO TUTTI I SUOI PROBLEMI

Given the influence of Frank Zappa on the early Canterbury scene (he even jammed with Caravan once!), it's not surprising to find Picchio dal Pozzo incorporating more of the style of proto-fusion he experimented in with the original Mothers of Invention into their music. Likewise, it's no surprise to hear them incorporating more avantish influences from Henry Cow, considering that the Cow started out with a very Canterbury-influenced sound. But what's really impressive is how the band bring all of these influences together in a cohesive sound which makes their second album an impressive, RIO-tinged follow-up to their debut.

Though their sound is still centred on the Canterbury style, they focus very much on its more avant offerings, with Zappa-ish instrumental workouts and sung-chanted portions not dissimilar to those used by Henry Cow on their first three albums. The result is an album which is somewhat less immediately accessible than their debut (or Camere Zimmer Rooms, the recordings produced between that album and this), but rewards repeated, attentive listens wonderfully. In its more accessible moments, the album reminds me a lot of the Muffins' Manna/Mirage - tough I don't know whether that's a matter of direct influence or parallel evolution.