MACROMARCO

Grieco's album is a modern, sensitive and quite vocal-based discovery with a deep atmospheric background, based on expressive vocals, melodic guitars, ambiental soundcapes and well-executed keyboards.It kind of remind me of acts/artists such as DORACOR, PHIDEAUX, TIM MORSE and KENNY MITCHELL, soundwise speaking, as all lyrics are written in Italian.The album, although not extraordinary, is well-composed with memorable tunes, occasional pleasant rhythmic passages, lyrical maturity and often rich textures.Despite the very good display of acoustic soundscapes and electric leads, the long instrumental moments are rather absent, however Grieco manages to add a certain instrumental depth in an otherwise pretty vocal-oriented work with the use of Hammond organ, sax, harmonica, recorder and piano.There are still moments of powerful and bombastic musicianship with flashy keyboard themes and dynamic electric guitars, both on lead and rhythmic parts, while the album contains also plenty of nice orchestral passages or laid-back, instrumental ambiences.Grieco was clever to keep a great balance and ''Il pianeta degli uomini liberi'' appears to be a warm and pleasant listening throughout its full-hour running time.

Grieco's later work was focused on vocal arrangements and the use of voice as an instrument.His solo album ''Il pianeta degli uomini liberi'' is sure to please all fans of Neo Prog or melodic Art Rock, which love an additional Italian spice in their menu.Recommended.

On the first third of the album, or so, the songs bear a strong resemblance to the later, dry Pink Floyd (Waters-less, get it?). There is a similarity to that smooth but spacy sound of the last two PF releases. Grieco's voice on these tracks even sounds somewhat like a mixture of Waters and Gilmour. These, to me are the better tracks on the album.

The remainder of the album veers more towards a Peter Gabriel-like sound. The verses tend toward the melodic simplicity that Gabriel used from the album "So" and later, while the breaks have the big, and slightly interesting sound of Gabriel's secong album. It's interesting, but not terribly compelling.

For the entire album, it may be a joy for the Gabriel fan, but to me it only rates 2.5 stars. Rounded down.

MacroMarco is the moniker for Italian composer/multi-instrumentalist Marco Grieco (born 1967, Salerno Italy). Marco began playing instruments at the tender age of 10 and has composed hundreds of songs over the years. In 2009 BTF released his debut progressive rock album entitled 'Il pianeta degli uomini liberi' (The world of free men). It's an impressive debut technically and musically, crossing progressive genres of RPI, neo-prog, and crossover. It should appeal to fans of bands like Coral Caves.

The website has a page for the concept album which features lyrics and visual/music content, and the project does have a very visual feel to it. I remember being reminded of 'US' era Peter Gabriel when listening. Warm and accessible pop/rock songs are developed into more elaborate affairs via Grieco's instrumental flair and luxurious arrangements. While some of the repeating choruses do get on my nerves there are enough excursions to keep things interesting. Spoken word narration and sound effects add layers of intrigue, the sounds of children laughing, thunder, a cigarette being lit, etc. Some of the more upbeat fair is tempered by melancholy instrumental parts like the introduction 'Temporale.' 'Via Col Vento' features acoustic guitars, female duet vocals, and Floydian overtones. 'Vado Lontano' is a favorite piece: gentle piano notes and strings, so sad, beautiful but very sad, leading to a lovely symphonic ballad. The rock quotient springs to life in the middle of the album with sharper electric guitars and feisty keyboard runs. 'Five on the Fire' is a solo piano interlude while 'Ancora Sul Fuoco?' is perhaps the progressive highlight with a long, glorious keyboard jam taking center stage. 'La Mia Isola' is also quite strong with building emotions and strong performances.

Macromarco's debut is a very promising album for those who enjoy refined art rock full of pop sensibility and melody. It runs on a bit long and is not a personal favorite of mine, but it certainly meets my standards of a good album.