Here we have a concept-album that requires quite a few spins on the trusted (but tired) CD player in order to digest all the tasty treasures that abound on this multi-flavored disc. Entering the progressive highway, we motor into Floydian territory, then suddenly veer off into a style more reminiscent of Queensryche or DT , a pit stop at the Marillion cafe and back on the road again heading towards jazzier climes. What a ride! The main culprit is the head-turning quality of Ricky Tonco’s intensely polyvalent vocals, displaying a set of pipes that can effortlessly latch onto the needed mood , be it a Morrison-like tone on the crunchier material or the Christian Decamps multi-hued colorations that evoke the various characters in the musical plot. “Just like a Night at the Opera” echoed the audience! Musically, leader Cristiano Roversi captains a solid crew of instrumentalists showcasing a particular flair for taste and diversity , unashamed to express an obvious passion for Andy Latimer of Camel fame. ( Moongarden, hmmm!!!). Guitarist Davide Cremoni is quite exhuberent but you must listen to this a few times in order to “Scarcely believe all the pleasures inside” , but this is not bread and butter rock music. I still prefer this album over the following two .

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