SADAKO E LE MILLE GRU DI CARTA

LOGOS released their first two studio albums in 1999 and 2001 only to disband but then return to the action in 2014 with "L'Enigma Della Vita" an album that made me an instant fan. Symphonic with Italian male vocals and very much a synth dominated record this the followup some six years later continues in that style. All the information in the liner notes is in Italian but there is a lot of stuff in there. You can actually purchase the cover art and in different colours. I like it a lot actually, the blue origami paper. And yes a concept album(although I know not what he's singing) about a Japanese girl who made a thousand origami's while sick with radiation from the atomic bomb dropped on them back in WWII. I haven't read her story yet.

I do prefer the 2014 release but that one did surprise me while I had expectations here. LOGOS are one of my favourite modern RPI bands along with LA BOCCA DELLA VERITA and INGRANAGGI DELLA VALLE although I prefer NODO GORDIANO and D.A.A.L. as far as the style of music goes. Oh we get several guests including IL TEMPIO DELLE CLESSIDRE's own Elisa Montaldo a keyboardist and singer she adds her vocals to one track. Some guest sax, guitar and drums as well all on one track each. The main band is a four piece and keyboards rule the day.

That track Elisa sings on is a duet basically and it's called "Il Sarto". A beautiful song with mellotron too. The fragile male vocals early reminded me that no one does fragile vocals like the italians. One of my favourites on here is the song that we get the guest sax on called "Paesaggi Di Insonnia". Some moving stuff on this one. The 2 minute intro track is a great warmup piece as we get some powerful instrumental music. As far as huge bass lines and nasty keyboards check out "Un Lieto Inquietarsi". Another favourite is "Zaini Di Elio" for it's power and contrasts along with tempo changes. The majestic sound after 9 1/2 minutes is a nice touch. The closer and title track is all over the place and at over 21 minutes it is epic to say the least. The sounds of children playing early on and that cool sounding percussion 13 1/2 minutes in before it turns epic then majestic and everything almost in between. A great way to end the album.

A very solid 4 stars and an album rated in the top three here for 2020 by both the overall ratings and the collaborators picks for that year.