BANCO DEL MUTUO SOCCORSO: Transiberiana (PROGRESSIVE ROCK): review / opinion to read on Music Waves

In 2019, Banco Del Mutuo Soccorso's return to the studio was as likely as the opening of the first ski lift on Mercure. Spearheading the Italian progressive rock of the 70s, the Nocenzi brothers and their singer Francesco Di Giacomo had written the most beautiful pages of it, with concept albums, high-pitched vocals and dizzying instrumentals. Alas, in the twilight of the 70s, like their British cousins, the Italians had to gradually simplify their format, eventually joining the ranks.

Twenty-three years after their last completely original album, Banco, which has nevertheless never stopped touring, is back with a concept album that should be adventurous. However, this return in 2019 poses two slight problems. The Nocenzi siblings are reduced to Vittorio, Gianni having slammed the door in the 80s, the other musicians (with the exception of Filippo Marcheggiani who appeared on ''Nudo'', a best-of unplugged) have never appeared on a Banco studio album. But above all, Francesco Di Giacomo's voice died out prematurely in 2014, the same voice that took us to seventh heaven on '750000 Anni Fa... L'Amore? To remedy this, the Nocenzi brothers could have resorted to the all-instrumental as on "Garofano Rosso" (soundtrack of the film of the same name) or "Di Terra". But the first few minutes offer an answer... Rather than hiring a vocal clone, the band chose a new voice though powerful, which does not cover as many octaves as his predecessor.

The first track, 'Stelle Sulla Terra', combines a typically progressive 70's sound with some electronic projections to offer a piece ravaged by tension. At the end of the track, the tension is released in an unexpected way, respecting the canons of Banco to the nearest note. One can sense that Vittorio Nocenzi has become the guardian of a temple where the balance between vocals and crazy digression reigns.

'La Discesa Dal Treno', with its poignant guitar accents, is caught up in a tribal threat barely tempered by a few hammered piano notes. 'Lo Sciamano' is charged with sulfur with organ and nervous voice where madness is never far away as the guitar solo close to Zappa proves. 'L'Assalto Dei Lupi' is based on the influences of ELP and Gentle Giant in a Mediterranean context. "Transiberiana" is no exception to the tradition of the poignant ballad 'Campi Di Fragole'. Tony's warm and sensual voice caresses this luminous piece. On 'Eterna Transiberiana', the interpreter sobs golden notes carried by a padded atmosphere. The guitar replaces the voice as naturally as possible. Majestic and symphonic, 'Il Grande Bianco' with its solitary piano finds verticality to this sinuous course which can only end with a moon landing. Those who are tired from long journeys can take a closer look at 'Oceano', shorter and which, despite its William Sheller style piano, synthesizes in three minutes the essence of Banco in its Camel-like atmosphere.

In spite of the very good health of the transalpine group, one will regret the violation of one of its fundamental rules: conciseness. Tracks like 'I Ruderi Del Gulag', despite its strange atmosphere, lacks a bit of madness and don't seem necessary. The band adds two bonuses, two concert recordings that allow us to hear two anthological titles, one of which is covered by Tony d'Alessio. If these two tracks prove to us that this new Banco is as sharp as the old one and especially that the new singer is able to go through the band's repertoire in his own way without distorting it, they unnecessarily lengthen an album that would have deserved to be a little shorter.

Anyway, "Transiberiana" is a success of the progressive rock genre. Banco offers us a pleasant trip in the 70's without ever sounding retro and reinvents itself thanks to a new vocally charismatic singer and a mastered grain of madness. A few regrettable lengths prevent this "Transiberiana" from reaching the highest step of the podium. - Official website

BANCO DEL MUTUO SOCCORSO

TRANSIBERIANA

INSIDEOUT MUSIC

PROGRESSIVE ROCK