UKIYOE - MONDI FLUTTUANTI (WITH INSONAR)

Claudio jokingly mentioned to me that he's the Antichrist of Italian Prog because he does things so differently from the norm. No solos, no fairies, in fact the sounds, harmonies and structures associated with Prog are all thrown out the window here. We get over 30 people participating on this release playing a huge variety of instruments, some of which i've never even heard of before. This is a 46 minute album that will challenge you on many levels. I keep hearing new things everytime I spin it, and man this sounds amazing with headphones on. In the liner notes the musicians are listed under heading like "Strings", "Winds", "Voices", "Electricity", "Multi-Instrumentalists", "Pecussion" and more. Two dvds came with this cd and once again the packaging is gorgeous. Oh, and INSONAR is back joining Claudio and his band once again.

"Veleno" features Claudio on vocals as mechanical sounds support. Female soprano vocals will come and go. A change before 3 1/2 minutes as it turns darker and more atmospheric. Eerie is the word. Violin, cello, harmonium, upright bass, clarinet, electronics and more provide the backdrop to the vocals. "Fi(j)ura D'acqua" opens with piano an electronic beat and effects all sounding incredible as the vocals join in. Accordion follows then the vocals start to dominate. A change 1 1/2 minutes in as a bass horn, vibes and what sound like kettle drums come and go. The vocals are back 3 1/2 minutes in with some strange background noises. "Marinaio" features these unusual sounds and a beat that build. Seagulls can be heard then the vocals arrive as the intensity builds. So good until it settles back after 2 minutes as strings and vocals lead the way. Strings only 4 minutes in then the seagulls return followed by vocals and piano. Piano, percussion and strings create suspense 5 1/2 minutes in. It's haunting with intricate sounds before the song winds down late.

"Ohi Ma(Nel Mare Che Hai Dentro)" has these determined vocals with lots of intricate sounds and insanity. Avant vocals and more lead the way in this crazy but short piece. ""I Pesci Dei Tuoi Fiumi" is led by percussion and atmosphere as vocal expressions come and go. Man Claudio can reach those high notes and sustain them. A calm 1 1/2 minutes in then vocals, horns and more arrive. The vocals are bizarre to say the least. "MA(r)LE" is the over 19 minute closer but it is divided into three parts beginning with "Tsunami!" where we get relaxed sounds before the vocals and percussion take over. It picks up after 2 minutes then becomes very strange(haha). The next section is called "Into The Waves" and is led by accordion early on as the vocals join in around 2 1/2 minutes in. This is all very "out there" but i'm digging it. The final section is called "Mud" and it's dark with guitar sounds, strings and more that create an unsettling mood. This one has to be heard to be believed.

As much as this is an audio cd I have to say that it creates so many pictures in my mind when I play this, especially the fact that it has a nautical theme to it. This might be even better than their debut called "Il Gioco Del Silenzio" and probably closer to 4.5 stars. Music for the adventerous right here. I'm so impressed. I wanted to mention some of the albums that Claudio lists in the liner notes as influencial to this recording, I won't list them all, but here are some. "L'Apparenza by LUCIO BATTISTI, "In Camera/Consequences/Thin Air" by Peter Hammill, "Rock Bottom/The End Of An Ear/Cuckooland" by Robert Wyatt, "The Seer" by SWANS, "In Praise Of Learning/Concerts" by HENRY COW, "Hail To The Thief/Kid A" by RADIOHEAD, "Assurdo" by GARDEN WALL, "Hunger's Teeth" by 5UU'S, "Metropolis" by ART ZOYD, "Lateralus" by TOOL and many others. This is avant-garde music at it's best.