ANDIAMO IN GIRO DI NOTTE E CI CONSUMIAMO NEL FUOCO

My wife and I just sold our farm (happy/sad). We just returned from two days of cleaning out and driving to storage the family valuables (happy/sad). But then I opened up my computer after a couple days of absence to find that one of my favorite bands of the 21st Century had released its new album--on my mother's 85th birthday (happy/HAPPY). AUTO-BUY! I have to report that the band has (finally) returned to the (full) form of sophisticated Canterbury quirk of their 2011 debut> I am SO HAPPY to be listening to this beautiful yet happy music-especially in these COVID times. Thank you, Dario & company! And thank you for releasing your album on my mother's 85 birthday! It will always make this album feel so special--like it was just for me.

Full, more detailed review in the days to come (as I will, no doubt, be listening to this album non-stop throughout the weekend). The PERFECT SUMMER ALBUM! If you want happy, melodic music to play on your days by the water, I could not think of a better one than this.

1. "Lucciole per Lanterne" (4.54) Canterbury and Homunculus Res perfection! (10/10) 2. "Il Carrozzone" (3:42) Two in a row! Different lead vocalist. (10/10) 3. "Buco Nero" (6:44) odd tempoed rhythm jazz guitar chord play opens this song before singer joins in. Nice vocal melody (in the best of HR tradition). Fun when Steely Dan-like quirky synth joins in during second verse to noodle alongside the vocalist. Cool, intricate weave that is brought together perfectly by the vocal. Electric guitar solo in the instrumental sections sounds so much like Jeff "Skunk" Baxter-era of Steely Dan! Slow down section in final third sounds so much like classic STEREOLAB (even with the banjo). (8.75/10) 4. "Supermercato" (6:21) after a rather banal opening lyrical half, the music goes chamber instrumental with full complement of strings. Very interesting for HR! (8.75/10) 5. "La Spia" (4:36) (8.75/10) 6. "La Salamandra" (6:25) (9/10) 7. "In Girum" (3:37) sounds more like The Winstons' debut album (and, therefore, Matching Mole/Robert Wyatt). (8.5/10) 8. "La Luccicanza" (4:27) (8.75/10) 9. "Tetraktys" (3:33) (8.75/10) 10. "Non Dire No" (3:45) opens as if a teacher/parent singing to (or for) children. When flute supplants vocal it becomes more rich and though still community feeling. Cool, different song. (9.25/10)

The album starts out on a real high with the first two fast-paced joy-fests, but then then tempos settle into the middle inviting the listener to tune in more carefully to hear the clever and quirky nuances that the band throws in.

A-/five stars; a minor masterpiece of progressive rock music and such a refreshing addition to my (so far) rather weak 2020 collection.

P.S. How could ANYONE call this music anything but Canterbury???!!!! This is NOT a RPI band!

If you need any evidence that the Canterbury Scene is alive and well, of all places you can look here, in a newer, still-active Italian Prog band. Amazing. The quirk is here, mostly from the sort of carefree vocals (at least to me, an ignorant English speaker). The skill is very much present, and present in everyone here. From the keyboards to the guitar, from the drums to the (thankfully featured) horn section. Compositionally very tasty as well, with fast and slow sections, and fun verses and well-performed solos. A must-hear for fans of the Canterbury Sound.

There's a more modern approach to things, which is very refreshing. Bright and clear classic-sounding instrumentation, too. This approach reminds me most immediately of BEARDFISH. Most tracks are light and upbeat, yet skillfully presented. And being inspired by the Canterbury Scene, everything is so well balanced, each part distinguishable immediately. Another phenomenal current Prog band that comes to mind (see also my note below for "Tetraktys") is ONCE AND FUTURE BAND. [Please, nobody tell my buddies who introduced them to me how "low" their ratings are.]

The surprise banjo on "Buco nero" is so nice! Very unexpected. The featured banjo performer is also responsible for some guitars, double bass and vibraphone, all on this same track! Amazing.

Other sort of surprises to me include "Supermercato", which sounds like if Caravan had even more of a Pop Rock slant. The static vocal melodies even remind me of something that we might expect from Richard SINCLAIR early on in his career. In the least, a fun track. It's been a while for me, but couldn't the end of this track be a sort of callback to GRYPHON? Sort of Canterbury-meets-Ren'-Prog? On "La spia", the backend picks up with a very... unexpected Island(?!) vibe? It sounds pretty good. Just surprising. In other news, "In girum" is... just kinda weird lol. Pretty good though, I guess haha. Not a bad song on here. The middle of the album is a bit weak compared to the top and bottom.

And speaking of the bottom, things swing back into form, I think, on "La Luccicanza" to start the end to the album. Great melody and chord changes. Really, very nice. Again, classic Canterbury! And a weird, reharmonized homage to "Hey Jude"?! I'll take it! "Tetraktys" continues this positive swing back to "great" with what feels like EGG. I love me my Dave STEWART, so I'm all for it.

Personal Standout Tracks: T1, T3, T9

While you wouldn't normally associate Italy with Canterbury just don't tell that to PICCHIO DAL POZZO, THE WINSTONS or this incredible band HOMUNCULUS RES. The latter have had a consistent five piece lineup since their second release and they offer up this happy, melodic, sophisticated, whimsical brand of music that softly screams Canterbury. This album is so uplifting and while I feel the first two records are slightly better, this one is a keeper.

I just feel the first two were more consistent and it's interesting that this is their first album of the four they have released not to have Ske on here helping out as he did on their first three. Lots of guests still, in fact ten adding viola, clarinet, oboe, french horn, vibes, bassoon, sax, flute, electric piano and more. Ten tracks over 48 minutes and I did feel it waned somewhat early in the second half but this is a solid 4 star recording all the way.

By the way it was interesting having Dave Newhouse from THE MUFFINS and Jarrod Gosling from REGAL WORM helping out on that second record which at the time I reviewed it I said I liked it slightly better than the debut. Well in doing my favourite Canterbury albums of all time it was the debut I picked for that list so in my opinion both are essential. I love the cover art for this one and have found their album art to always be at least interesting.

All the lyrics are in Italian including all the info in the liner notes. That opening number might be the most joyful song they've created. Everyone is just so happy. The dissonant sax is a nice contrast to this. I like the vocal melodies after 6 minutes on the third tune and while that fourth song might sound the most Canterbury it also features viola, oboe and french horn. One of my favourite opening sounds is the sixth track and the guest electric piano on the ninth song is really good.

A solid 4 stars and for Canterbury fans.