Pholas Dactylus
Concerto Delle Menti

LA RECENSIONE

Few people in their lifetime will have heard of Pholas Dactylus, an Italian prog group that released only this album, "Il Concerto Delle Menti". Who knows if they didn't make a good choice (*).

Well, there are no half measures: either you like it or you don’t. It's an album too complex and atypical to say: "Well, yes, it's nice"... If you don't like this album, you must let it go and pretend nothing happened.
If, on the other hand, this work intrigues you, and you're ready to dive into the realms of lesser known prog, then prepare yourself to experience a fantastic journey, a narrative that lasts more than 50 minutes (a single suite, divided into two only due to recording/publishing needs), and with musical quality far more than modest. The lineup is: one voice (which only narrates, does not sing), a bass, a guitar, and two keyboards (organ and piano). An essentially minimal group, but with great potential.

Hold on tight, because it's an experience you'll hardly forget (it could become a cornerstone of your discography, as happened to me).

* Now I will explain the phrase from the beginning. I find that this group was perfect just as it is, essential in releasing only one album, but full of everything they had to express (and with a duration above average). Releasing another album would have been almost superfluous, as this is more than sufficient. And perhaps the most beautiful thing is to be remembered this way: for a single work that honored you and will be remembered with nostalgia (while many other bands continued to churn out albums and gradually declined). If this isn't humility...