ULISSE

Several years ago, I just began to use internet and I knew only the classic progressive bands. Living during a little time in USA, I decided to research at one of those enormous record shops. In the section "By countries - Italy", I saw -incredibly to me- this PFM album. I catched it like a lost treasure and run to pay it, and I went to my house very happy, remembering the old wonderful PFM albums I had. But when I heard it, my deception was too big. I felt myself stolen, it was not PFM! I tried to listen "Ulisse" again, but it was impossible. This record is too bad, too ugly, too bored and too poppy-trash, and I wonder why once glorious PFM name is in the cover. I sold this cd by a few coins in an used records shop, because keep it in my discoteque by "Per Un Amico" or "Storia Di Un Minuto" would be a sacrilege. Avoid it!!!

Heard first 7 tracks, and found out PFM's music was leaning towards short melodic somewhat pop songs, close to "La Bottega dell'arte" style, it was not until "Il mio nome e Nessumo" that I heard what I was expecting from this classic Band, Is One song worth the price of the album? I'm about to answer yes!.

Yes, yes - many purists are prone to deride this effort, which I saw as a suitable reunion. It did take some time to grow on me, and those closer listens revealed to me some very understated riffs & tones reminiscent of the "classic" Bakery sound. Not well-versed in Italian, I learned later that this is indeed a concept album, telling the classic tale of Ulysses. And well, hey- so-called "bad" PFM sure beats what's commonly heard out in public these days.

"Letter to Father" never fails to put a sentimental lump in my throat.

For sure Ulysse is a magystral outstanding performance, an unique work from one of the most melodic progressive rock bands of all times. Essential for fans and for international consumers of fine progressive rock.

PFM is a difficult band to pin down musically, because they have such a vast range of styles. This is a concept album that tells a story, showcasing a variety from the R+Bish UNO IN PIU to the ballad SEI. The musicianship is top notch throughout. For sound quality, this is the finest CD I've ever heard. I'm still amazed at how the sound seems to jump out of the speakers and into the room. If you're strictly a "progressive only" fan, this may not be what you're after. For that reason it's rated conservatively.

Album released in 1997 "Ulisse". It is an original album after an interval of ten years. It is still a brilliant performance. It is still a sound of PFM. I was impressed by their musician ships. Vocal of three people is already a stage of maturity. Music tastes and is deep. As the modern rock, it is a work equaling U2 outstanding. Harmony of the final tune is the highest. It is recommended in the person who really likes PFM.

"Ulisse" is a "concept-album" about Odyssey and the following words of the writer Luciano De Crescenzo are printed in the booklet to explain the "concept" of this work: « The Poet says that inside everybody there's a man who desires to go. It doesn't matter where. The most important thing is "to go". Ulysses, the day after the slaughter, woke up and saw nearby Penelope asleep. "I'm happy" the hero thought. His enemies were dead and the royal palace was absolutely quiet. Then he went in his son's bedroom: Telemaco was asleep too. "I'm happy" Ulysses thought one more time. Then he went down to the dock, he saw a new ship and he said to the sailors "We're leaving" »

Actually Ulisse "would like to be" a concept album and the idea of this work was quite interesting indeed, but. What a disappointment! The music has nothing to do with the sound of the early seventies. Here you can find only a collection of pop songs. On the short first track (just a prologue) you can hear the voice of the Italian actor Ricky Tognazzi introducing the subject of the album... but the lyrics of Vincenzo Incenzo in my opinion are not so inspired too! Every now and then you can hear in this album just some feeble hints of the past PFM's magic (like in "Il cavallo di legno" and "Il mio nome è nessuno" - my favourite Ulisse's tracks) but nothing more than feeble hints.

In the whole an album interesting only for collectors and fans of of the band...

A Nice return! What`s Next?

After around 10 years without doing a studio album, PFM was back in 1997 with Ulisse, and was it a good comeback? , not the best, but yes, pretty nice.

Don't expect something like "Storia di un Minuto" or "Per un Amico", there's nothing to compare, this album is completely different to them, I will start saying that of course this is not the best PFM`s album, but not the worst, so if you believe that this is a bad album because of the ratings, you better make an effort to obtain it, and then make your comments and opinions.

After several years without doing an album , we can expect two things, a powerful return, or simply an "average" return, it is so difficult to find a powerful return in any band, so don't be cruel with this, its good. Musically talking, the album is pretty nice, it has the peculiar sound of Italian bands, it is not so dark, I mean, I fell the songs here are happier, "Il Cavallo di Legno" is a clear example, in this album we can find great vocals, nice keyboards and a great guitar sound, piano in several songs, great passages, I think this album is nice, and entertaining, a bit repetitive, but at least in my opinion it is not boring at all, I repeat, there's nothing to compare to the early albums, which of course are better, maybe this is a "lighter" PFM, for example the self titled song, is something like a cute song , with a very emotional vocals and a powerful synth making the atmosphere more exciting, but at the same time, it is not as exciting as the early albums, which make us feel very pleased with the music, that's why im saying this is lighter ( I admit, it has some pop songs, but it is not so bad in this case). Another point is that Mauro Pagani isn't here, and no one instead him, so one important thing is that violins are not in this album.

Pay attention to "Canzone del Ritorno" and "Liberi dal Benne, Liberi dal Male", both are very nice songs, my favorite ones. The first and the last song are short songs, in the same style, a couple of nice songs too. I think any italian prog fan should have this album, or at least should listen to it.

For me, 3 stars, because it is not that bad, good, but non essential.

3 stars should be right from a Prog point of view. But...

Let me explain: I like this album very much and I would suggest to give it a chance, but I agree that it's not Prog indeed. For some reasons I feel it as a movie soundtrack. Maybe it's because it's a concept album, maybe it's because in "Ieri" there's a speech from a famous italian actor (Ricky Tognazzi), maybe it's for the sound, very spectacular ("Andare per Andare", "Liberi dal bene ...") or classical ("Ieri", "Domani").

A special mention for Premoli's piano in "Sei".

If you are a "Prog-fundamentalist" don't buy it. If you love nice music, do it.

Ten long years to digest their infect "Miss Baker". Maybe to leave the fan regain some enthusiasm after such a poor release or to group forces to get inspired ?

Anyway, this album sounds much better (worse being impossible) even if I expected the worse with "Andare Per Andare" and its pop sound, but there won't be many of this type on "Ulysse". On the contrary, it is a pleasant return to a more serious "PFM".

It is of course not the great "PFM" of the seventies but most songs are appealing and even two could be linked with their past grandeur.

"Sei" and "Ulysse". Truely progressive, theme changes, skilled instrumentals for the former one. Emotion, peaceful mood, delicate piano, sweet instrumental break and folk atmosphere for the latter.

The band did not forget its jazzy / funky mood with "Uno in Piu". Not my fave as you would understand if you ever have read my excessively moderate taste for these genres.

"Il Mio Nome e Nessuno" is a pure Italian rock song. Tasteless for most of it. But all of a sudden (around the fourth minute), a great electric guitar solo is shining and closes this otherwise weak number magnificently.

"PFM" is also investigating the rock ballad genre with "Il Cavallo di Legno" and "Lettera al Padre". Even if this type of songs does not belong to their best ones, it is definitely more appealing than anything from "Miss Baker". At least, some nice melody punctuates these simple and catchy songs.

All in all it is an average album. Meaning 2,5 half star. But you know the story.

I will upgrade this album temporarily (?) because it is a decent come back towards better music and it is always nice to welcome back a great band.