ligdjs

my brother gave it to me: wise brother that I have. I feel like seeing him again.

I agree with teenage about the double albums discussion. I've heard little so far, even though I'm starting to form an idea. But it’s too early, especially for this type of music.

I don't know, I've kind of drifted away from singer-songwriter music lately. If something comes up, I'll listen, but I can't say it interests me at the moment.
What I don't understand is: did he write "the pony man" as a kid and set it to music as an adult? Or is it all just a movie in my mind?

Well, that the suspicion of a commercial operation arises is obvious, just as I felt when I heard that Dweezil Zappa was playing Frank or Tommy and Filippo Graziani was playing Ivan... it's normal for such thoughts to come up. Determining whether it's a commercial operation is really difficult, but I would try to make a slightly different point: if the result is valid (as you say in this case, I haven't experienced it myself), even if it were a commercial operation, who cares?

I don't see it that way at all. I agree that there are influences, and very evident ones at that. But I think it's a group with its own personality. They started off as a decent band, nothing more (I don’t understand those who shower praise on the first album; there are some great tracks, but overall it's pretty average, not a masterpiece) and they've managed to create an amazing album like "requiem." "Requiem" is truly a remarkable album; it's objectively well done, the melodies are beautiful, they stick in your head, the rock energy is all there but it's smart.
The lyrics: as everyone knows, Alberto Ferrari himself has said that he uses them only to "color the music." Personally, I disagree; I think the lyrics in Verdena are very important, and if that's not the case for them, well, it is for me, the end product consumer. They're incredibly cryptic, often nonsensical, but there's something truly beautiful about them. And then Alberto's voice... when he unleashes it, it devastates.
From what I've heard, "wow" is quite different from "requiem," and I reiterate that I think that's perfectly fine, very much so.

but it’s also soooo risky! even the best, when they make such long albums, end up with hit-or-miss results, with the necessary exceptions, of course.

I had just expressed my happiness that no reviews of wow were coming in, but I have to say it's well written! There were some things I didn't like, especially the final sentence (not because of the concept, but because of the form) which brings the whole castle a bit down.
I've listened to the album in snippets, still too little to judge. Without a doubt, it's beautifully different from the previous ones! But I think after the masterpiece of requiem, they did very well to change. Change, but in continuity. Because in the end, they are always the Verdena, and keep going like this.

was it really necessary?

Well, you can write it, right?? Especially since we think differently judging by the vote... it's always better to have more opinions, right?? That's what this site is for!!!

mmh no, dad, he's not friends with the priest, but he's the one who always remembers every birthday! oh well...
anyway, I don’t know, this album doesn’t completely convince me, that’s why I rounded down.