CHOCOLATE KINGS

Thinking PFM could compete with/mirror the success of the big UK prog-rock bands like ELP and Yes, they were encouraged to hire an English singer, and to switch completely to English-language lyrics. To do this, they brought on Bernardo Lanzetti as lead singer. They also went full-tilt electric. The result is a big shift in their sound, but it is a major step down from the beauty that defined their earlier work. There is by now very little subtlety, and they go for a louder arena-rock style. They are still writing decent music though. "From Under", "Harlequin" and "Out on the Roundabout" provide good examples of mid-70s progressive rock. Lanzetti's vocals, however, are really inferior, and to my mind would ruin their subsequent album (Jet Lag). On this album, they were able to rain him in enough to make listening to the singing here passable, but at every turn you are just waiting for the instrumental passages. "Chocolate Kings" is OK, but goes on to long and the singing makes one want to hit skip. "Paper Charms" would have been great music, but the singing here is the worst on the album, thus leaving a bad taste in one's mouth, particularly after repeated listenings. After many years, I can hardly sit through this in one go. I give it 6.3 out of 10 on my 10-point scale, which is on the low side of 3 PA stars.

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