L'ISOLA DI NIENTE

This album took some time learning to love it. It was because when I got it I was searching more heavier and dynamic stuff. No I even think this is that kind of stuff. Second thing that made this album irritating was the childish arty feeling. Song lengths are nothing but there's some a bit smooth water parts (supposed-to-be art?) that I can now appreciate more than formerly. Now that I've focused into this album, and listened it after quite long period not listening to this, it has grown on me. Now it has a crown. Very nice, very nice! It may be even the best Italian record.

The album is highly melodic and dynamic. The continuing atmosphere is still maybe the thing that makes this differ from others. The choir is also very loveable. All songs has different kind of parts (but they fit together), which makes it more melodic and there's no need to do extra tricks. The fusion of very original folk and simple rock, still everything being very progressive, is an unbelievable thing and I don't have much to say, everyone should get this album and italian symphonic prog in general.

The title track is quite long and there's time for changes in it. Chiefly, it's dramatic song, also with macro-compositional elements, like over 2-minute-long dramatic choir in the beginning (it continues laterally in the song, suddenly). 4,5*

Is My Face On Straight is one of the most listened songs for me on this album. By the way it has Gong-like part and sometimes sounds like Christmas song, one time French music with accordion, and many times PFM. Melodic song! 4,5*

La Luna Nuova is very festive song, still very moderate. Very daring melodies, many of them! 4*

Dolcissima Maria is lighter but nicely shorter song, acoustic guitar and light orchestration, instruments that I don't exactly know what they are (some keyboards I assume - they're aso on other tracks), they're on the backround quietly and atmospherically. And there's no jazz fusion in this. But there's different kind of part in this song also, flute and drums comes to the song at the end. The atmosphere is very soft. 3*

Via Lumiere is more groovy song... but once again, he ending is more like Genesis' atmospheric stuff. 3*

4,5 stars. (I mean, 4 and 5 stars). So I give 4.5. Five because I'm happy now. (I was sure that I'll go with four but look what happened listening the album while writing)