URGENTISSIMO

80's began and you can hear it in the music! 70's prog's dead and this is only the beginning. Banco, as most of the other great prog bands (ELP, Yes, Genesis, PFM, Gentle Giant, King Crimson and so on) didn't escape to the new wave and, perhaps, this renewal is the reason why the band is still active today. The album is not bad, if you listen to it as to a pop-rock album, but it's far away from the progressive! In fact with some of the songs of this album (i.e. "Paolo Pa") the band gathered the first pop hit in Italy! Two tracks can be saved from the bunch: "C'è qualcosa" and "Felice". Only for die-hard fans (like me!).

"Banco" entering the eighties...

The sound is now more on the electro-pop-disco side. Of course, Franceso sounds great (as always) but the new direction taken in this album is as worse as the one that "Genesis" or "Yes" took a little later. But this is no excuse. You won't find any emotional musical moments as during their early days. The great French band "Ange" did the same with their first post-classic album "Vu D'Un Chien". Totally different and not convincing to say the least.

Highlights are inexistant. Just one good song like "C' É Qualcosa" and that's it !

The worse is also present, unfortunately : "Dove Sara", "Paolo Maledetto" which is fully disco oriented. Really poor. Hard to believe but true. But the whole of this album is of the same caliber. The jazzy-disco-electro "Felice" won't be kept in the memories for the decades to come. That's for sure.

The first few seconds of "Ma Che Idea" sounds like the start of "Soul Sacrifice" ("Santana) and you might believe me. I know that one by heart. These percussions will only last for fifteen seconds; when the band will join, the same disco / pop treatment will be inflicted to the listener. Please, stop this torture ! Good news, the closing number is very short (and very bad as well).

"Banco"already gave a hint on their future re-orientation (!) in their live album : "Capolinea". So, this album is only half a (very bad) surprise.

Only one rating possible. One star of course.

After a sudden change in 1979, the band had gone almost completely commercial on their first truly pop album. You will hear pleasant pop, lighweight forays into rock and jazz but ultimately, owned by disco temptations. Instruments are played masterfully but there aren't many playing challenges anyway. The good thing is at least that the band still sticks to progressive rock instruments without going electronic.

The first track "Senza Riguardo" is a very good pop track with guitar riffs and fresh piano/keyboards chords, the melody is memorable. "Dove Sara'" reminds me of Elton John hooks; however for a progger, this simplified track is disappointing. "Luna piena" has some good background keyboard layers. "Paolo Maledetto" is a catchy but awful cheesy track that is maybe good for a apre-ski party in the Dolomites but good enough here. "Felice" has jazzy and rocking counterpoles and is one of the few instrumentally challenging tracks. "Ma che idea" has a longer instrumental outro, not bad either.

Overall, avoid this album unless you can accept pop with some progressive hooks.