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Review:
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It’s hard to believe that a band whose last recording
was released in 1975 can come back after over 30 years and
deliver a great recording, but that’s exactly what we have
here with Il Nome del Vento from Delirium. After the release
of Delirium III in 1975, an album that’s become a classic
of Italian Symphonic prog, the band, like so many others
disappeared. Their return to the progressive rock music
scene is great news, but more than that their new release,
their fourth studio recordingIl Nome del Vento is simply
stunning!
All the classic elements are here, lush symphonic arrangements,
Mellotron, exciting jazzy interludes, complex song structures
and musical performances, all enhanced with a string quartet.
And it’s a concept album no less. There are eleven tracks
here, including one bonus cut, most of which are in the
six-minute range, a few shorter and only one that is longer
[9:40]. But the truth is most of the classic Italian music
of the seventies was never very long. There seems to be
an innate ability to instill the most in shorter compositions
using both classical and contemporary structures to create
music that is both melodic and complex. Speaking of melody
there are some great moments sprinkled throughout this disc;
parts of songs where you just ‘smile’ at how perfect that
particular melody is or how perfect that segment is arranged.
As you go through the disc, every instrument is allowed
a moment to shine in a solo setting. It’s never overdone,
but provides just enough to keep you coming back for more.
The music goes from full and lush, moving melodically from
segment to segment and then slides into a slower voice and
saxophone solo before changing yet again to feature a cool
jazzy-combo approach before giving us a dramatic symphonic
climax.
Ever since they released the live disc back in 2007
which came with the news Delirium were working on new material,
I have been waiting patiently. Would it hold up after all
these years? Well let me tell you, the wait is over and
Delirium have delivered a classic. Not only have they not
lost their musical edge, it’s expanded and become even better.
It is everything that was great about the classic seventies
sound, but blended with a totally modern prog sensibility.
Il Nome del Vento has earned a place on my favorites of
2009 list and I highly recommend it to fans old and new.
www.jerrylucky.com
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