Stereokimono
Prismosfera

PREMISE
When I first paused on the pages of this site, I never expected to become part of it as a reviewer, nor, even less, to begin a real journey in search of Italian music of a certain complexity. Like many who read this magazine, I thought that in Italy music was not very proactive and interesting. But, fortunately, I did not stop at prejudice and tried to verify this, I can say unfounded, unfortunate hypothesis. Thus, not without difficulty, a mostly unknown world is opening up to me, and I am pleased to share it with you as the spirit of Debaser wants.

STEREOKIMONO
Stereokimono began their activity in 1989, and although they have been around for a full 17 years, they have only two albums and various collaborations to their name, among which I could mention the innovative project "Syd Barret the vegetable man project," which involves a reinterpretation of "vegetable man" by 60 artists worldwide in exactly 10 seconds! After various lineup changes, the Bolognese Sterekimono remain only three to defend what they define as "oblique psychophonic rock".
Listening to them, indeed, nothing else could be said of the music they propose, as if to say: whimsical fantasies without head or tail, but brilliantly assembled! Clear, isn't it? Well, guys, how else could I explain the strokes of genius? Yes, it is about genius, so much so that I could venture to list Stereokimono as the ideal Italian successors of that Crimson King of Fripp that sounds so much like oblique psychophonic rock!

KALEIDOSCOPE OF COLORS: PRISMOSFERA
In 2004 the latest work of this technical and intelligent Bolognese band was released, with a truly surprising album. Already considered by the press with their debut work "Ki" (winner of the "Stratosferica" award dedicated to the memory of Stratos), the Bolognese were followed with particular attention because "Prismosfera" formally opened the dances for the record label "Immaginifica" by Franz Di Cioccio, which, with hindsight, would produce three albums of great interest and depth.

Already in the cover image, one can discern the artistic inspirations of Alex Vittorio, Antonio Severini, and the superb Cristina Atzori on drums. Yes, because the more attentive will notice a similarity with that "Dark side of the moon" that made Pink Floyd so famous. But listening to the music, no cover would have described the joys contained in the CD so well. Fusion of colors in a circle: or rather imaginative music that twists upon itself in an infinite sidereal space. Seven instrumental tracks in the work for 54 minutes of non-stop music, music and ideas in continuous motion. Starting from a pure and simple improvisation, the three manage to elaborate pieces that adhere more to the inspiration of the moment than to the melodic choices a music market would demand, and in the CD, this is felt effortlessly. Yes, because the music continually shifts from one genre to another, from pure psychedelia to noise, from rock to country rock, from progressive-space-rock to electronics, from jazz-fusion to symphonic... all mixed in a sound salad that stuns.

The starting matrix is a technical prog upon which odd times, psychedelic soundscapes, noise, and more are grafted without stopping for a minute! It's impossible to pause and scrutinize the sources of inspiration for the album; the closest comparison is with Crimson, ELP, distant echoes of Pink Floyd... but it would be unfair to try to compare such a rich dish with just a few names. 54 minutes that seem like hours; the same hours needed to focus on the boundless imagination of these youngsters. And thankfully, there are only three of them! 'Prismosfera' sounds as if the Rome auditorium were packed with musicians! So many instruments used and, where finances do not allow, the wise use of synths manages to fill every single frequency of sound. Definitely one for the ENT specialist!
Antonio Severini takes on the guise of Fripp (yes, you read that right) and creates with his guitar chords and solos worthy of the Crimson genius. The bass of Alex Vittorio sounds full and technical, like Karn's. Cristina Atzori is a formidable drummer, able to combine compositional imagination with pure technique and, notably, is highly skilled in her touch on the instrument. It's rare to hear a rock drummer capable of highlighting such clean dynamics as she does, especially in solos. In every respect, she could be listed among the "fine" jazz drummers.

The album is entirely instrumental, but in the booklet, Stereokimono create stories to accompany us through the tracks. Psychedelic photos and texts of the same caliber give a clear idea of the multimedia world in which the Bolognese push us, the idea of an endless journey in continuous experimentation. The album also concludes with a truly unique ghost track. Imagine that it is made by combining pieces of the best songs from the '70s... imagine putting Wyatt, Pink Floyd, ELP, Ultravox, Stratos, Led Zeppelin, and so on into a single track. You will be called upon to identify the notes... brilliant! Truly.

But 'Prismosfera' is not without flaws. Often in the chaos of fully expressed ideas on the album, one gets lost, and some passages seem a bit too forced. Moreover, for an ear not accustomed to this explosive and tumultuous mix, the album may seem not very long-lasting, and this could be a pity. Prismosfera should be savored one sip at a time like a well-aged and flavorful wine.

CONCLUSIONS
A lot of meat in the fire for one of the most intelligent albums in the Italian scene. Even though it is not a masterpiece, the album deserves a full 5 for innovation, technique, and compositional courage. Considering that not everyone can showcase the courage and skill to emulate an album of such magnitude, I award Stereokimono the ability to create. This is a talent that very few can boast of either in Italy or abroad. Italian music shows, once again, that it is quality music. To claim that our music should all be thrown away would be to admit one's own ignorance!

PS:
on the reported website you can listen to some mp3s. Enjoy listening, all strictly Italian (and to think I am not a nationalist!!!).