MUTAZIONE

After falling in love with 2014's Sulla Bolla di Sapone--an album that appeared out of nowhere and snuck into my Top 10 Albums for that year--I found myself very excited to hear of this new release from these young Italians. And though different, it has not failed to live up to my hopes and desires.

1. "Il palazzo del chaos" (0:25) an introduction to the chaos that is not to follow!

2. "Io mi trasformo" (6:21) opens with a chord progression that is immediately inviting and engaging--developed by layers of band instruments before backing off to set up an easy going yet fast-driving horn-invested foundation for new singer Alessandro Graziano to put his gifted talents on full dispay. Melodically, rhythmically, harmonically, technically this is a very well-constructed, if theatric and formulaic, song. The chorus section after the fourth minute bass solo is pretty cool. (9/10)

3. "La cura delle cose" (5:55) a tightly-performed GENESIS-familiar song has plenty of twists and flourishes to render it into its own territory. For example, the Broadway-like section in the fourth and fifth minutes is very cool, very engaging. The guitar and trombone-led finale could have been better if the vocal line had been soaring instead of deepening. Still, it is gutsy and unique. (8.75/10)

4. "Musica di vento" (6:35) opens with an emotional piano and trombone section that once again feels so theatric, almost ready for a Broadway or opera aria. Once Alessandro has finished the first verse of his very impressive and emotional vocal a very powerful, beautiful instrumental section opens up and then seemlessly segues back into vocal support for the final to minutes. The chorus melody is so perfect, so professionally constructed and orchestrated, it's sure to melt hearts just like a ANDREW LLOYD-WEBER aria. (9.5/10)

5. "Mai tardi" (6:08) opens with a lone funky rhythm guitar before the rest of the band (including clavinet!) join in to create a fairly complex, jazzy, syncopated song structure. After 90 seconds the song is established well enough to support its first solo: the electric guitar. Separated by carnival sounds, the synth takes on the next solo, then bass in a stripped down section, soon joined by trombone. Fender Rhodes piano provides the foundation for the fourth minute in which thumping bass, multiple track trombones (and/or synth horns) and drums support a spirited electric guitar solo. At the 5:00 mark everybody makes way for the clavinet before a full band horn-blasting section takes us to the end. Quite enjoyable! (9.25/10)

6. "Il cielo di sé" (7:57) Alessandro singing with accompaniment of strummed guitar. In the second verse drums and bass join in. The very-Italian chorus is multi-voiced and with very little instrumental support. How similar this voice is to that of La Coscienza di Zeno's Alessio Calandreillo--in both power, timbre, and style. Synths and keys provide most of the inter-vocal instrumental soli. At 4:25 things quiet down for a softer, more plaintive vocal section. Electrified acoustic guitars, electric piano, and tuned percussion take over before the big dénouement at 5:35 in which power chords and soloing Arp synth. (12.5/15)

7. "Attesa" (2:58) a gorgeous aria based in acoustic instrumental support, this truly borders on something for the theater--either Broadway musical or even lyric opera. (9.5/10)

8. "Mutazione" (4:29) a buoyant, theatric jazz-rock instrumental that has quite a familiar FOCUS feel to it--both melodically and structurally. These guys are good! (9/10)

9. "Se c'è una buona ragione" (10:02) a bit corny for its racing "vox roboto" treatment of Alessandro's voice for the opening three minutes, there is some return to normalcy with the delicate section that starts in the fourth minute with Alessandro's normal voice. The music then re-amps up but not to the pace nor carnival theatricity of the opening. The complex (and quite enjoyable) sixth minute instrumental section is then followed by a solo church organ section. How odd! At 7:06 piano and Alessandro lead us into a new, bass-heavy instrumental section--one that progresses in an "upward" manner in terms of key changes and chord progressions until the final 30 seconds, which are filled with a recording of a female phone voice saying its goodbyes. Such an odd song. There are some really wonderful sections but some really weird tangentially incongruous skids and swerves. (16.5/20)

4.5 stars; a near masterpiece of theatric and intricately constructed and performed progressive rock music. FEM is a band that is firing on all cylinders: all members are working very tightly within some very intricately constructed compositions--plus there are extremely proficient musicians manning all of the contributing instruments (I love the trombone presence). And, Welcome new lead vocalist Alessandro Graziano! You are quite gifted!

"Exciting keyboard sound and variety rule"

This is a project that was founded by keyboard player Alberto Citterio (classically trained and awarded as jazz musician) and guitarist Paolo Colombo (Ritchie Blackmore was his inspiration to make music), hailing from the outskirts of the Italian metropole Milan. They had a clear musical project in mind: Italian progressive rock music, technique, energy and fun. After playing covers from Classic Italian Prog legends PFM, Banco, Le Orme and Area, and several line-up changes the band presented a proto version of the concept Sulla Bolla Di Sapone at the Misinto Bier Fest, they won the contest. This concept was finally released as their first album in 2014, meanwhile FEM had recorded its first work, the EP Epsilon, in 2012. The album Sulla Bolla Di Sapone includes the collaboration from guests musicians, including trombonist Pietro Bertoni. He becomes a permanent member of the band, also playing glockenspiel and Moog Taurus bass pedals. In the meantime the band's live activities continued, at the Ver1 Prog Festival in Veruno (2014) and the Riviera Prog Festival (2015), opening for prog legends Focus, New Trolls and Goblin. In 2018 FEM released their second album entitled Mutazione as a six piece formation, featuring Paolo and Alberto (as the only remaining members from the original line-up), and new vocalist and multi-talented Alessandro Graziano. He mentions Queen and Deep Purple as his main references, is a highly skilled musical singer, played guitar with members of Iron Maiden and Deep Purple, and violin with PFM, Nuovo Idea and New Trolls, what an impressive musical curriculum vitae.

1. Il Palazzo Del Chaos (0:25) : An atmospheric sounding and ultra-short piece that opens the album, the music matches perfectly with the title.

2. Io Mi Trasformo (6:21) : A well crafted, very melodic, harmonic and accessible composition, between dreamy, mid-tempo beats and bombastic, wonderfully coloured with guitar and keyboards, and topped with inspired Italian vocals. Halfway a break with soft bass runs and in the end a sentitive electric guitar solo.

3. La Cura Delle Cose (5:55) : This composition is in the vein of the previous one, between mellow and sumptuous, tastefully arranged, from the soaring tremolo Hammond sound and a break with piano to an outstanding Hammond and guitar duet, and finally moving guitar work with tight drums beats. The wonderful vocals range from romantic to powerful, loaded with emotion, what a voice.

4. Musica Di Vento (6:35) : First beautiful Grand piano and a wailing trombone sound, the melancholical vocals match with the fragile atmosphere. Then the music turns into more bombastic and compelling, driven by emotional vocals and tender piano, and culminating to a howling guitar solo in a bombastic eruption, wow! Now again the distinctive trombone and emotional vocals, with tender piano runs. The second part features a gradually more bombastic climate with lush Hammond and powerful vocals that contain a theatrical undertone. Finally majestic Mellotron violins, slowly fading away, what a splendid song, it sounds like a musical, Alessandro shines, a 'curtain call' for the singer!

5. Mai Tardi (6:08) : "And now for something completely different": a funky wah wah guitar and bass, along biting guitar runs and dazzling synthesizer flights, what an awesome fusion of styles. The music really explodes, and the interplay is very dynamic and powerful. In the second part the varied sound is very tastefully coloured by trombone, electric piano, fiery guitar runs, swinging clavinet, wah wah guitar and Hammond, this is a very exciting, instrumental track and showcases the huge potential of the band.

6. Il Cielo Di Sé (7:57) : Now passionate vocals (a love the 'rolling r') and delicate acoustic rhythm guitar, this is the mellow side of the band, what a captivating contrast with the previous track. Then a tight beat and powerful bass, vocal harmonies, culminating in heavy guitar riffs, fiery guitar, sparkling electric piano, and topped by passionate vocals and an excellent rythm-section, wow, how exciting, and what an amazing interplay! The keyboard sound varies from flashy synth flights to sparkling piano. Halfway dreamy with warm vocals and mellow Hammond and acoustic guitar, next a fine Grand piano piece. Finally a bombastic climate with fiery guitar runs, Minimoog flights, and the deep sound of the Moog Taurus bass pedials, this is pure symphonic rock (inspired by Seventies Yes and Genesis), very compelling. It ends with a wah wah guitar solo and tender piano, slowly fading away, again a very impressive composition.

7. Attesa (2:58) : The band slows down with dreamy Grand piano runs and warm vocals, then a sensitive duet between violin and piano, wonderful.

8. Mutazione (4:29) : More fusion to come: a swinging mid-tempo with wah wah guitar, Minimoog flights, then break with percussive sound and a fat bass sound. The interplay between guitar and piano is awesome, topped with a dynamic rhythm-section. Next another break with bass and xylophone sound, then wah wah guitar, a powerful bass, propulsive drum beats, synth flights, bombastic ending, wow, so much happens, another great instrumental track.

9. Se C'è Una Buona Ragione (10:02) : Finally an epic composition, it starts with a another swinging rhythm featuring thunderous bass, slightly distorted vocals and wah wah rhythm guitar. Then fiery electric guitar with a lush Hammond sound (evoking Dutch pride Focus), and sparkling piano runs. The music turns into dreamy with soaring keyboards, passionate vocals and twanging acoustic guitar. Halfway a bombastic climate with heavy guitar riffs, powerful Hammond waves, again excellent interplay! Now another musical surprise, a church organ interlude, it sounds majestic. The final part first delivers a slow rhythm with Mellotron violins, tender piano runs and a powerful rhythm-section, very compelling. Then Moog Taurus bass pedals (always a bonus) and Hammond join, culminating in 'grand-symphonic-rock- finale, the band couldn't say goodbey in a more exciting way, WOW!