[Release date 28.02.14] www.phoenixagain.it
Just occasionally you come across an album that’s niche and evidently overlooked, but one that repays your undivided attention. Then you come to the conclusion: why? Especially as it’s lain for a little longer than necessary in my pile of “things to listen to” at the end of 2014.
Released in February 2014, ‘Look Out’ is the third album by these talented Italian instrumental prog rockers. They’ve been around in some shape or form since the early 1980s, centred on the brothers Sergio (guitars) and Antonio Lorandi (bass) and drummer Silvano Silva. It’s a truly family affair: in 2011 Antonio’s sons Marco (guitars) and Giorgio (percussion) joined the band and together with keyboard player Andrea Piccinelli make up the current line-up.
It’s rare to get an almost wholly instrumental album that’s so consistent and absorbing. The attention never wavers on tracks like the monumental opener ‘Adso Da Melk’ with its mellifluous blend of acoustic, jazz fusion and more strident prog.
If you like classic Camel and their contemporary progsters Caravan or even Focus when in best jam mode – but with more adrenaline - you will love this, and the album in general. In fact six minutes in it recalls ‘Lunar Sea’ and that vibe is repeated on the title track ‘Look Out’ which also references Pink Floyd.
Part of the trick is that the band shifts from the reflective to the upbeat with consummate ease and there’s a really nice blend of instrumentation and atmosphere. And even those classic mellotron keyboard textures are included to satisfy the seventies die-hards.
‘Oigres’ is a fabulous blend of fusion and rock whilst ‘Summer’ is essentially a pastoral piece led by keyboards and topped with complementary guitar. On the frenetic ‘The Endless Battle’ there is a hint of Yes and ‘Heart Of The Sunrise’. Even the one vocal track ‘Invisible Shame’ – with its sub-Neal Morse vibe – is perhaps surprisingly acceptable.
The highlight for me is the straight-ahead ‘Winter’, a nine-minute tour-de-force and possibly the best introduction to the whole album. It’s an almost perfect blend of synth, organ and rock guitar interplay driven by a superb rhythm section.
All this shouldn’t really surprise us: Italy has a wonderful prog tradition (PFM, Banco, Le Orme et al) and Phoenix Again is really the latest manifestation of musical creativity under a cheery Mediterranean sun. Wonderfully played and executed, and woefully under the radar. Give yourself a real tonic and seek out this album. *****
Review by David Randall
David Randall presents ‘Assume The Position’ on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio every Sunday at 22:00 GMT.
Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK
Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.
In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.
Next session: Sunday 1 December
Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio
David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 3 November 2024.
UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 29 October 2024.
How to Listen Live?
Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)
Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”
Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.
More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com
Power Plays w/c 11 November 2024
ARCANE MOON Hello Sun (indie)
S8NT ELEKTRIC XTC (Long Branch Records)
ARCANA KINGS Here We Go (Curtain Call Records)
KLOGR face The Unknown (Zeta Factory)
BEYOND UNBROKEN Dance With The Dead (FiXT)
REVENGIN Decadent Feeling (Wormholedeath)
Featured Albums w/c 11 November 2024
09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Singer Songwriter)
PDF - you can delete unwanted sections
