UOMO DI PEZZA

Collage showed Le Orme taking a definite step into progressive rock territory, but Uomo Di Pezza is when the famed Italian trio ditched the last bit of psych influence in favor of a purely symphonic rock sound. By 1972 the progressive rock movement was at its creative apex, and Uomo Di Pezza is without doubt one of many highlights from this fantastic year. Le Orme's third album captures them at the height of their careers, and the result is nothing short of a complete Italian progressive rock classic. I don't think that Uomo Di Pezza reaches the emotional heights of a few other RPI sacred cows, but there still is little doubt in my mind that this is one of Italy's finest gems from the early seventies'. Though not entirely flawless, Uomo Di Pezza is an essential Italian progressive rock album that should be heard by everyone curious about the genre.

On Le Orme's previous album, the band was caught somewhere between a full-on symphonic prog sound in the vein of Genesis, ELP, and King Crimson, and a flowery sixties' psychedelic rock style. On Uomo Di Pezza, Le Orme has left behind that final hint of 'poppiness' for a completely progressive style of symphonic rock. Uomo Di Pezza also sees Le Orme expanding upon the progressive side of their compositions - whilst Collage had ELP as a main point of reference, this album has a much more varied style of symphonic prog with more influences from the pastoral sounds of Genesis. The way the band mixes heavy organs, pastoral acoustic guitars, and romantic Italian vocals makes for a totally unique style - this LP sounds distinctly Italian, and although there are traces of British prog throughout the album, Le Orme had completely found their own unique approach on Uomo Di Pezza.

Unlike a few other Italian symphonic prog classics, however, I can't say that Uomo Di Pezza always connects with me on an emotional level. Very much like a few of Emerson, Lake, and Palmer's classic releases, a decent portion of the music comes across as a bit 'unconnected' to these ears; while always being technically amazing, the transitions joining the various musical fragments on Uomo Di Pezza don't always feel particularly coherent. I'm clearly in a minority, but I don't quite get enough of an emotional high to consider this a masterpiece. With that said, this is always a pleasant (if a rather short) listen, and of course its massive influence on future Italian progressive rock albums shouldn't be underestimated. While I do not think Uomo Di Pezza is an entirely flawless classic, it is still a classic and deserves to be heard by any curious RPI listener.