BANCO (1983)

Third "Banco" nightmare in a row for a prog reviewer. For sure, the eighties were not "Banco" 's ones to say the least.

This album features the same "great" electro-pop sounds but is also more syrupous ballad oriented. Just listen to the "wonderful" trio : "Moby Dick", "Pioverà" and the absolutely ridiculous "Allons Enfants" partially sung in French and which two initial words are the start of the national French anthem "La Marseillaise".

If ever a contest needs to be organized (any volunteer) to define which was their poorest output during this period it will be very difficult to determine which one will win the gold medal. "Urgentissimo", "Buone Notizie", "Banco 83" ? Or maybe the following one "...E Via" ? Who knows ? For the latter one, I will post my review first and then decide. But it will be a tough match, for sure.

In my review of their previous album, I was desperately looking for a good track. I was able to find two half ones. The exercise is even more difficult with this album. Actually, there isn't one. Or even a half one.

There is no need to write a thousand words about this release. It is totally useless. An insult to this good band (but THEY released it). Shame on you "Banco" for having gone so low.

Is there any more need to justify the rating for this "work" ?

In my opinion the best Banco album from the 80's.

Yes, the sound changed according to that time fashion. No improvisations, no long epics, in general no prog here. But songs are nice and memorable, Di Giacomo's voice is strong as ever. The only more or less prog song here is ''Moby Dick'', it stood the test of time and the band often plays it in concerts till now. Best album's track.

My other favourites are ''Lontano Da'', ''Pioverà'' and ''Allons Enfants'', though I can't tell other songs are bad. Enjoyable record, I listen to it more often than to some BANCO's works from the 70's.

Anyway, this album helped the band to survive in hard years for prog. Perhaps not essential, but pleasant. 3 stars.

In March 2014, I went to Milan for a meeting. I stayed there for four days. In the same street of the hotel where I was staying there was a record store. So, I went there many times late in the afternoon, after work. You know how people say "When in Rome..." so I decided it was time to finally get to know some of the famous italian prog rock. I learned in the Internet about Banco del Mutuo Soccorso and Premiata Forneria Marconi being the two most popular bands of the genre. In the shop, I found several records from these bands but I could only buy one of each. Since I couldn't remember which albums were regarded as best, I decided based on the covers and titles of albums.

In the end, I came out of that store with «Per un Amico» by PFM and «Banco» by Banco del Mutuo Soccorso. I thought «Banco» was their first album because often debut albums are self-titled. The date on the back cover didn't help because it is written "2006" and I thought that should be a reissue from an early seventies record. Only later I discovered that I have chosen a 1983 album and one from the weakest period of the band.

It's very hard to review this album because to be prepared to write a revier one should listen carefully to an album as many times as possible and in different occasions. I must admit this is an album I've listened only 3 or 4 times since I bought it in March 2014. It's not an album I want to play to anyone. It's not an album I want to go back. Sometimes, after not listening to it for many months I start thinking: "well, maybe it is not so bad". Then, I give it another try and the conclusion is always the same: this album is one of the worst I have ever listened to.

Everything is bad: songs are uninspired, production is awful. I know a lot of people like Francesco Di Giacomo powerful operatic voice (and I respect their opinions) but that is not the case with me. His voice reminds me too much of Demis Roussos (Aphrodite's Child). Trying really hard, I can pick a not-so-bad song: «Moby Dick». Most of the rest is hard to get over. «Lontano Da» and «Velocità» are absolutely ridiculous.

Later I discovered the album «Io Sono Nato Libero» and was able to somehow reconcile with this band but I must say that back in March 2014 the disappointment with this album was highly compensated by the discovery of the beautiful «Per un Amico» by Premiata Forneria Marconi.

The time has time to grant one star to a Banco album, sadly on their eponymous second effort which should always be a kind of band's flagship. The biggest disappointment for me on this album is pure generic 80's drumming without creativity. Arrangements sound less lively than previously, the sound is artificial and dated by now, not worth such quintessential band in the progressive rock. Melodies are fine, actually more playful than on the previous 2 80's albums. Pop tendencies are undeniable and lead the way. Although there are no real highlights, two so-so tracks are the last one instrumental, still miles away from the 70's heyday and the rocking Velocita with good guitar soloing and electronic piano.