UOMO DI PEZZA

Preceeding Felona E Sorona by a year, this excellent album is in many ways following the same recipe as it did, but it feels more inspired, more varied and thus ultimately, more rewarding than Felona E Sorona.

Following the same model as ELP, Le Orme is a piano/organ-centered trio, playing mostly quite mellow, melancholic pieces of music adding acoustic guitar à la PFM where they see fit. Constantly spiced up with bombastic power-organ, heavy symphonic outbursts and unique effects courtesy of the keys and finally topped with delicate, augmenting use of bells and percussion, this is RPI of the highest class.

My first impression of RPI was the great use of melancholia in the music, in fact it's so perfectly executed and excellently captured I'd say it's one of the genre's main attractions. Le Orme isn't an exception, and especially Felona E Sorona shines from that perspective. Uomo Di Pezza remains true to that statement, but it adds a lot more disturbing features:

Screaming, chaotic keys and powerful drumming excesses reminds me of insanity and are just more menacing when set to the the generally mellower, peacuful tone of the album. The final song, Alienazione (indeed) says it all. Apparently the song Gioco Di Bimba was a hit, and it serves as a great example of showing the other side of Le Orme. Acoustic guitar, the sweet voice of Aldo and a nice mixture of bells and downsized keys adding melody now and then.

It's hard to pick a favourite on Uomo Di Pezza as it's unfortunately a very short gem. And when it finally clocks in at its thirty-two minutes, you really feel you've been listening to a long and great suite with the songs representing its different movements. Very consistent. However, the oh-too-short Breve Immagine shines like a beacon in the dark. Breathtaking in every way. Atmospheric keys (got to be Mellotron) and echoing bells riddle this gem, and for once Aldo reaches for a little more power. And grabs it. Goosebump moment.

And it's not the only one. Check for yourself.

4 stars.

//LinusW