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Rating:
LA RECENSIONE
The title is self-explanatory: we are dealing with a rock opera, that is a record featuring a progressive rock structure accompanied by monumental arrangements. A way to describe in a few words a truly unusual album for 2005: in fact, and I couldn't believe it, the album has just been released.
It's a concept about the story of Dracula, and indeed the album could be a splendid soundtrack for one of the many films on the subject. We start with the overture, a nice dive into the 1970s, with the instruments, technology, and innate attitude of Di Cioccio & Co. With "Ho mangiato gli uccelli" they give us a great example of what it means to "play like it should be", while "Non è un'incubo è realtà" represents the most visionary and romantic part of the work. Also noteworthy is "Il castello dei perché", one of the most marvelous tracks on the album, which I must recognize for its considerable musical greatness, though perhaps coupled with an excessive pomposity. The style is that of the good old days, indeed we (prog-maniacs) needed something like this: otherwise, we would have been condemned to a lifetime of listening to music in the time span [1968-1979], and goodbye. . . I won't mention the other tracks to keep this review light: just know that. . not a single one of them is subpar! Choirs, symphonies, mellotron, riffs & solos aplenty, Di Cioccio's voice always perfect, the virtuosity of each group member abundant, not forgetting an immense emotional charge. . . do I need to add more?
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Summary by Bot
Premiata Forneria Marconi's 2005 album Dracula is a remarkable rock opera with monumental arrangements and a strong progressive rock structure. The concept, based on the Dracula story, features emotional and virtuosic performances reminiscent of the 1970s golden era of prog. Highlights include robust instrumentation, rich choir and symphonic elements, and standout tracks like 'Il castello dei perché.' The album appeals to prog enthusiasts craving a revival of classic style blended with contemporary execution.Tracklist
Premiata Forneria Marconi
Premiata Forneria Marconi (PFM) is an Italian progressive rock band formed from members of Quelli around 1970. They earned international attention in the 1970s (notably via a Manticore connection) and released landmark albums such as Storia di un minuto, Photos of Ghosts and Chocolate Kings.48 Reviews
Other reviews
By Logic Probe
"Inside us, good and evil are inseparable, two lips of the same wound."
Dracula sounds like a PFM album in its best form, a fascinating and pleasant album despite the prog virtuosity.
By FLOYDMAN
An acoustic guitar, very light, paints in our minds right from the start a cursed yet damnably fascinating castle.
"It is a story from another era but it is the mirror of reality because good can never free itself from evil."
