1978 - GLI DEI SE NE VANNO, GLI ARRABBIATI RESTANO!

Like so many others before me I have been so pleasantly surprised by this album. I guess most of us don't have high expectations for anything hailing from 1978. On top of that, I thought the preceding album Maledetti to be slightly disappointing, so I hadn't expected the band to find their inspiration and 'gusto' back so convincingly.

Area has stripped their sound a bit. Not drastically, but the experimental, avant-garde and fusion elements of the sound are slightly toned down a bit in favour of Demetrio Stratos' vocals and more accessible and funky song writing. That doesn't mean Area has turned pop or mellow, they are still more then weird and quirky enough to please all their fans, but somehow they seem to enjoy themselves more then they ever did before. The lighter tone of the songs and the Zappa-esque humour intrusions demonstrate that amply.

The playful tone and accessibility of the album makes it a close companion to the Crac! album and I'd say it's every bit as good. Too bad tragedy struck this band when Demetrio Stratos died of cancer. I'd really have loved to hear his answer to the 80's.