LA FABBRICA DELLE NUVOLE

3.5 stars. A pretty good comeback album from this Italian band who haven't released a studio recording in over 40 years. When compared to the debut this one lacks the variety of horns and flute that the seventies release featured. We do get the same vocalist and he certainly is one of the main reasons I've given this 3.5 stars, I love his voice and it has some character to it. And yes he sings in Italian. The album is all over the place with quite a bit of variety including both modern and commercial sounding music. I really like the romantic RPI vibe but the heaviness with the GARDEN WALL-like guitars not so much. Same with the poppier stuff on here, I'm just not a fan.

"Un Ciclone Sul Pacifico" opens with a violin melody before it kicks into a real good groove. Man I like this part. Piano joins in then vocals. A catchy chorus follows then a guitar solo. Violin only like the intro after 2 minutes then it builds with keys and more. The vocals sound different after 3 minutes and we get a heavier sound.

"Perdo Il Colore Blu" starts with the drums and guitar standing out as keys and bass join in. A good driving sound here before it settles back with vocals. Contrasts continue. Piano only before 1 1/2 minutes as processed vocals join in. Not a fan of this. The heaviness comes and goes. A prolonged instrumental follows including some excellent guitar.

"Il Passo Delle Ore" is my favourite because it has such a classic RPI flavour to it. Great sounding vocals here and one of the rare times I feel emotion from the music, especially on the chorus.

"La Fabbrica Delle Nuvole" sounds so interesting with the percussion and sounds that come and go before some organ arrives. It turns heavy with GARDEN WALL-like guitars which I'm not into. The drumming is killer then after 2 minutes it changes and soon it's piano only before drums and more join in. An instrumental GENTLE GIANT vibe before 2 1/2 minutes. Synths lead later on trading off with the guitar. The bass and drums shine on this one.

"La Luna E La Lepre" is the other song I really like. Intricate guitar and percussion early on. Vocals just before a minute with strummed guitar. Love his singing here. Bass and organ join in as well. Nice guitar solo then back to that earlier sound. Great sound after 3 1/2 minutes as the vocals return. A feel good vibe with that guitar after 4 minutes.

"Estate '41" sounds different to begin with then these emotional vocals arrive before 1 1/2 minutes. Lots of intricate sounds. I like the atmosphere late to end it with violin.

"Nel Fiume Del Giorni I Tuo Capelli" sounds really good until the tempo picks up and this modern feel arrives. Suddenly before 2 minutes we get a GENTLE GIANT section both vocally and instrumentally. You should hear this! GENTLE GIANT all the way, a nice tribute then the guitars turn heavy which seems out of place. Back to the GG vibe as contrasts continue. Piano and violin ends it.

"Il Matto E L'Aquilone" opens with picked guitar then violin before a minute along with bass as relaxed vocals join in. Thankfully it changes after 2 1/2 minutes to a more uptempo and heavier sound that I actually like. Organ, drums and guitar stand out here. A calm after 4 minutes then it kicks in again. "Le Parole Che Non Vi Ho Detto" ends it and it's a short 2 1/2 minute track. Vocals, violin and more in this mellow closer.

Lots to like here but there's lots of sections that I don't like as well. A mixed bag you could say but I'm glad I got to spend some time with it. I'll stick with their classic seventies album in the future though.