Logic Probe

cece65, try to take a look at it... you might really like it (I repeat, it’s not as operatic as it’s painted). Stay tuned, I’ll be posting some samples soon.

I don't know anything about the group in question Lukin, what is it about?

Hi Hal and welcome back to reading me :) When I talk about samples, I mean at least a couple of minutes per piece. All the samples I've included in the other reviews last between 2 and 3 minutes (30 seconds is really pointless... imagine how a post-rock CD might sound in 30 seconds!). What to expect from this CD: a strong narrative that diverges from the original Dracula to present it in a more "human" way, and music played at a high level as PFM knows how to do (think of De André played by PFM... simple tunes arranged to perfection). PFM doesn't know how to write lyrics, but they know how to play music. Hal, the album is fundamentally rock and not very operatic (it is a rock opera), played as it should be with non-trivial lyrics. I will include the samples on Saturday and then... the listeners will have the final say. :P

For Lukin: your quote from my review is actually a quote from the texts written by Vincenzo Incenzo (not mine :P). It embodies the spirit of the album. It’s clear that you need to let yourself be carried away by the album's plot to fully savor it. It’s like Ca Ira... listening to it for 2 minutes makes no sense. Just one observation, let me make this: if the album has "rock opera" written on it, what do you expect to find there? You already know you’re purchasing a "non-conventional" product (where conventional means a well-defined musical score with a certain number of songs and so on). The beauty of this album is that apart from some orchestration, it is, in every sense, a rock, progressive-rock album. Not to convince anyone, but if I buy Ca Ira I don't expect to hear The Wall. Or not? With affection.

For Zaireeka: As soon as possible I will put up some samples so we can make a comparison with Notre Dame... it doesn't seem like we can talk about the same thing. I won't repeat comments already made in the other review on DRACULA (by the way, I apologize to the Debaser community for this duplicate... we overlapped with mayhem) but the album is comparable to "the island of nothing." Then if you don't like it... well... let's remember the full 5 for Cesare Cremonini!! Ciaooo :)

Dear Jodo, everyone is free to express their own opinion. The problem is that one must assert their opinions while knowing that they reflect a completely relative perspective and not an absolute one. That’s all. If Italian prog doesn’t mean anything to you, it doesn’t necessarily mean it is bad by definition. That’s just your prerogative. On the contrary, I find that it has laid the groundwork for the modernization of music. Even house music and techno have allowed for new horizons, even if it doesn’t align with my taste.

Guys, have you listened to the album? Even though it says rock opera on the cover, the album is very much a rock record. You won't find La Traviata or Aida in the CD, but only a good prog rock album nodding to the 70s. (I'm neither the defender of PFM nor Taormina). The instrumental parts are left out of the CD, which implies the band's intention to produce a rock album rather than a complete opera. Now, anyone who has listened to the album knows this is true. If you like PFM, then this CD won't disappoint you (read: a turn towards the 70s). For Jodo: music follows evolutions and involutions. The contamination with opera is not a novelty. Many bands have tried to walk this path in the past. I find it quite interesting to expand the boundaries within which music wants to be confined (sorry for the pun). We live in an era where blending is interesting. PFM is simply dusting off its roots by merging prog with chamber music and opera, and they do it well. I repeat, this CD does not stray from the band's golden years... have patience to clear your minds of prejudices and give it a chance. If you don’t, nothing really happens, after all. But if we give 5 to Oasis, then Dracula deserves the Nobel Prize for music, right? Ciao :)

I love Manù's unique drumming style and Jan's delicate saxophone. I don’t know the album but the "musicians" are remarkable. The premises for an interesting CD are all there.

No, the album is not trivial. Considering PFM's latest production, it's even genius. The album diverges from what Cocciante and Dolcenera have produced, and she enriches the 11th track (frankly, she sings it well). PFM has always released albums of this kind in the past, and the music sounds like the 70s albums of the band (I don't find much difference between this and "l'isola di niente"). Prog rarely sounds "natural" as it draws from lyricism, symphony, and technicality. Some choices seem forced by the technique that wants to be showcased... in this, the album follows the stylistic features of prog. The story and the message are well crafted by Vincenzo Incenzo with lyrics that are definitely not trivial (even if the topic discussed is ultimately love). Dracula is an album by PFM in every sense, that rests on the "golden years," making it clear that the band is still musically alive. Of course, in my opinion! I repeat, the album is at the level of "isola di niente." :)

Azz mayhem you beat me to it!!!!! Yesterday I wrote a review on Dracula!!!! I APOLOGIZE TO THE DEBASER COMMUNITY FOR THE DUPLICATE ON ITS WAY! Coming to the album, I’d say it’s a great example of a return to the past, light-years away from Serendipity. The best album by PFM in recent years... I knew it would come sooner or later. For the rest of my thoughts, read my review as soon as they publish it. The review was a bit rushed and not very descriptive... you’ve written better ones. Ciauz :)