HO SMESSO DI VIVERE

Gli Apostholi were a Pop Rock band from Vicenza, formed in 1964 and led by singer Walter Bottazzi.They disbanded in late-60's to return in 1970 as a trio with keyboardist Gigi Terzo and drummer Roberto Trentin next to Bottazzi.It is rumored that in early-70's they released their debut ''Un'isola senza sole'', but it was printed in such a limited number of copies that the original album is nearly impossible to find.Many years later, in 1979 with Franco Marchiori on guitars (a former member of the band during the 60's), Gli Apostholi released the album ''Ho smesso di vivere'' on the obscure Delfino label.

Despite sounding like a Pop Rock quartet, Gli Apostholi have an incredible fame among prog collectors and I still wonder why.''Ho smesso di vivere'' consists of 12 very short melodic Pop/Pop Rock tracks with uninteresting lyrics and lightweight musicianship and the only prog influence one can detect are some decent synth parts.Bottazzi's voice is everywhere, delivering his cliche lyrics in melodic choruses and there is actually no room for any instrumental moves.Despite Marchiori's presence on guitars the music is mainly driven by Terzo ballad-styled pianos and background synths, while all tracks feature simple grooves and limited surprises.Only a few are a bit more artistic like the melodic ''Foglie Rosse D'Autunno'' with its interesting electric guitars, the folky and quite proggy ''Ho Imparato A Distruggere'' with the interesting combination of synths, acoustic guitars and expressive vocals or the similar-sounding and very atmospheric ''Ho Acceso Un Fiore''.The rest of the material is unfortunately based on standard pop melodies and heart-felt vocal parts.

The album is very rare and quite exprensive and it is not recommended to spent this amount of money just to listen to a rumored prog rarity.This is only decent Pop Rock and nothing more and anyone still curious about its sound can purchase the CD reissue by M.P. Records.