LA FOLLIA DEL MIMO DI FUOCO

I have plenty of recordings that are very far from being in the mainstream or commercial side of things. I really appreciate bands who have an adventerous spirit, who want to do things their own way and not follow what may be popoular at the time. OFFICINA MECCANICA are truly one of those bands. Of course there are many bands who have forged their own path yet lacked the talent to pull it off successfully. This Italian band has hit one out of the park with this album.This is unique, original and entertaining. I would suggest you read Finnforest's review which really captures what the band was about and their history. I'll focus on the music even though that won't be easy.

"Suite Bambini Innocenti" opens with vocal melodies before an almost dreamy and jazzy soundscape takes over. It settles when the reserved vocals come in. The song continues to shift gears as passionate vocals and horns come in then it calms down again quickly. Flute after 4 minutes as it builds.There is some guest moog and mellotron on this one too. Some nice horn work follows as bass throbs. Great section. The guitar starts to make some noise 6 minutes in to end it. Nice. "Primo Turno" opens with vocals that are followed by an ear piercing horn and some nice drum fills. It settles with reserved vocals. He yells 2 minutes in and an aggressive soundscape follows. Ok he's yelling again as the tempo and mood continue to shift. Here come the horns 5 minutes in.

"Via Non Esiste" is such a blast ! This is humerous and oh so good. It kicks in before 3 1/2 minutes. I love his vocals.The guitar is raw before 5 1/2 minutes. Horns before 7 minutes and it settles a minute later. I like the rhythm before 9 minutes. "Insieme Al Sole" is led by drums, vocals and horns. This is such a feel good song for me. "Nel Grattacielo Delle Idee Il Pensiero Piu Alto E La Pazzia" is led by horns and drums early. He's beating the hell out of his drumkit 2 minutes in. Horns return a minute later. Spoken vocals then a laugh 4 minutes in. A calm a minute later then it builds with higher pitched vocals. Great section 6 minutes in. He screams then that SABBATH-like guitar comes in. Horns join in and eventually the vocals return.

"Amanti Di Ieri" opens with percussion and what sounds like harmonica. Reserved vocals and acoustic guitar take over. One of the best parts of this whole album is when his vocals soar after 1 1/2 minutes and later before 3 minutes and after 4 minutes. Nice atmosphere to end it. "Il Viaggio Di Un Uomo Non Uomo Nella Valle Del Tempo" opens with faint horns and drums. I love when it kicks in after 2 minutes. Horns follow as the tempo picks up. The tempo and mood continues to change. "Angelo" is an acoustic beauty.

What I like best about this album is that it entertains me. I really like the vocals and instrumental work too but this is just a lot of fun.