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After the release of several singles and the formation of a duo with Gregorio Alicata, called "Gli Ambulanti", Battiato decided to dedicate himself to experimental music, recording several albums for the record label "Bla Bla". The first of these was indeed "Fetus".
The album, as Battiato states, "entirely dedicated to the person and work of Aldous Huxley", is a prog work that, although tied to the melodies of the era, presents something completely innovative in the arrangements. Predominant is the then-uncommon use of electronic keyboards (EMS VCS3), acoustic guitars, and violins.
That the album is peculiar is immediately evident with the opening song "Energia".
The track begins with a conversation between children accompanied by the use of keyboards and gradually interrupts to introduce the song proper.
Erroneously, the track sequence listed on the cover begins with the title track "Fetus", followed by the track "Una Cellula". This latter should be considered one of the most interesting songs on the album, characterized by a particular sound that remains innovative even in more modern times.
The acoustic guitar and the violins play a fundamental role in "Cariocinesi", an excellent track, the shortest on the album, which opens the way to the subsequent more complex songs.
The splendid "Fenomenologia", animated by the acoustic guitar and a peculiar text that concludes with two mathematical expressions "x = a (sin. *t) x2 = a (sin. wt + y)", which translated represent two sinusoids that, drawn on the same graph, form the DNA helix, the main theme of the album.
Equally interesting is the track "Meccanica", divided into three parts that are united but different. The first part introduced by the synth, a second accompanied by guitars and violins, and a third where we find all three instruments plus Battiato's voice, concluding with an excerpt from the conversations between the Apollo 11 crew, Neil Armstrong, Edwin Aldrin, and President Richard Nixon.
"Anafase" is probably the track that best represents "Fetus". The right amalgamation of instruments and complex lyrics are a distinguishing feature of this song and the entire album, and precisely for this reason, it's appropriate to consider "Anafase" the best track of "Fetus", equal to "Fenomenologia".
The album concludes with "Mutazione", not at the level of other tracks, but equally good.
"Fetus" may not be Battiato's best album, but this does not make it any less important than the others. In fact, for originality and innovation, it won't be an album you'll easily forget.
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Other reviews
By Dj Lavoire
This album, almost on the edge of listenability, purely psychedelic and very electronic, is an album that makes you dream.
Guys, listen to it; it’s worth it. It’s true, the early albums are overlooked, so what are you waiting for?
By Naif_90
The journey begins with a heartbeat, a delicate guitar arpeggio, and Battiato’s voice introducing the world of Fetus.
'Fashions pass, various musical genres are destined for variation, but records like this are destined to remain fixed in the minds of all of us.'
By Listening Room
Some think he is a Martian or who knows what else. It’s Franco Battiato.
You will not find songs within it that follow the classic composition scheme or long tracks, because Battiato wanted to experiment in every way possible.
By Gianfranco
Battiato was ahead of his time, an artist like him in the Italian field is essential.
This is the beginning of his universe, both physical and mental, it is the prelude to birth, to composition, to the spring of the beast.
