IO E IL TEMPO

After the two back-to-back albums,it was time for Nuova Era to focus more on their live appearances.So for about two years they gave many shows,before they entered again the studio to record their third album.This one was entitled ''Io e il tempo'' and was released again on Contempo Records, both in CD and LP versions, in 1992.

The band decided to follow the same structure as with ''Dopo l'infinito'',this means the album contains two long Symphonic Rock suites,clocking at 18 and 24-min. respectively.Musically nothing has changed.Both compositions contain a great number of sudden breaks,complex themes,virtuosic keyboard work and intense vocals.The music again is mostly based on Walter Pini's great skills on organs and synths: Baroque-influenced parts, intricate solos, marching synthesizers and background fillings for the guitars,along with some light piano interludes.Still the electric sound remains a basic part of Nuova Era's sound with both rockin' and melodic moments.Two very tight,well-played and cohesive compositions,a trademark of the band,which made them among the biggest names of the 90's Italian Prog scene.But as with ''Dopo l'infinito'',the albums lacks the fair amount of romantic moments of their debut,thus making ''Io e il tempo'' a great prog seminar,but not a very atmospheric or emotional album. There is also a short yet lovely instrumental bonus track at the end,carrying the name of the band and performed on harpsichord by Pini,which I like a lot.

''Io e il tempo'' is not as good as Nuova Era's debut,but still is a slight improvement over their sophomore effort.Nevertheless,there were a few bands out there around the time,who could compete with this Italian beast.Strongly recommended and a great discovery for fans of Symphonic Rock with some virtuosic performances...3.5 stars.