QUADRI DI UN'ESPOSIZIONE

I am not much of a reviewer but I will give this album my best shot. I suspect readers already know that Murple was one of many one-shot italian bands in the 70's to release a fantastic album and then disappear for lack of money and/or interest. After 35 years, they are back again with the original lineup. It's hard for me to not continually compare their classic 73 album to this one but I have listened to this one several times with an open mind and must say that it has grown to be an excellent album to my ears. My 4-star rating may confuse others or what have you but I have my reasons for it:

1. They seem to have continued where they left off in 1973. They're still using the tasty analog key sound of the 70's.

2. There's enough classical influences in the music and it does not seem they have tried to go with the neo sound of the plastic keyboard. Kudos to them for this. There are some terrific el-piano pieces albeit short.

3. I do not hear repititous droning drum beats that seem to be a fixture in today's music. Instead, the drummer seems to be experimenting either with high hat sections, snares, etc.... All too often in today's music, it almost sounds like many bands employ a drum machine or a drummer who's afraid to wander outside of the 4/4 | bass drum boom boom boom | bass drum boom boom boom.... The drums do not sound digital on this album. Another reason I prefer the 70's sound is due to hearing more experimentation with the drummer

4. Some really nice choral sections in a few pieces.

5. The bass player plays some really nice melody lines.

6. There's some really nice relaxing melodic music on this album including a classic accoustical guitar piece.

Yes the album is under 34 minutes long but I've never had a problem with that. I strongly feel that I'd rather have a 33 minute album of quality material thruought rather than a 79 minute album that has 50- 60 minutes of filler on it.

Murple does not sound uninspired or like they came back to the studio just for business. Rather I feel they decided to pick up where they left off with Io sono murple. That album (as does this album) employs quiet sections as well as bombastic sections sprinkled with nice keyboards/drums and bass.

In my opinion, one of the much better reunion albums from 70's italian prog acts. To my ears, maybe the best. I recall being disappointed with Metamorfosi's paradiso and still feel that way and each additional listen to that one confirms my disappointment as Inferno was just so much better. This one is different. After several listens, it sounds better and better and I have to say parts of this album are in check with Io Sono Murple. You could do worse to play Io Sono Murple and this album together. They're really both like part 1 and part 2 and the songs could actually be interchangable.

Great job Murple. Welcome back. I can only hope that you don't wait another 35 years. But if you never release another album again, I'm grateful you all came back in the studio to release this.

Thank you!!!