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We are in the vast yet narrow realm of the “Italian progressive” of the '70s. Some may consider us fanatics if we dare to delve deeply beyond the usual suspects (Le Orme, P.F.M., Banco del mutuo Soccorso, Area).
Well, my fanaticism tonight leads me to re-listen to a semi-unknown band from Viterbo with a truly curious name: “Blocco Mentale”. Their only album is from 1973 and predominantly features ecological themes, as the title itself suggests: “Пoa” (“grass” in Greek).
Their prog at times might remind one of New Trolls, in other instances of Procol Harum or Van Der Graaf Generator, and the voice is imbued with an oneirism typical of Tagliapietra; whether it was these references or something else entirely, I truly enjoyed them.
In the end, the lyrics might come across as somewhat naïve, albeit relevant, and the music could be a bit too melodic, yet the sweetness permeates everything and they can’t help but be pleasant in their sensitivity.
Some songs are the kind that will strike you at first listen and you'll surely be humming them for days.
“Green it will be,
this air now finished.
Rays of sun
on the newly blooming branches.
And I will sing
that this age of ours
has already decided everything,
the green will remain.
Great city
we'll buy you the meadow,
on the sidewalks
you'll have the best age
and your people will be with you..."
The tracks are characterized by wind instruments and keyboards that are not particularly original, but still evocative. The beauty of the cover is noteworthy.
Ultimately, these five musicians wanted to exalt the value of grass, that thing which should cover almost the entirety of creation's work, and which instead today seems increasingly to belong to a dream world, and they wanted to do it by having fun and playing good music.
Hooray.
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