Morreale: "Appunti di Viaggio"
Massimiliano Morreale is a multi-instrumentalist from Bari, Italy. After being active on Bari's underground scene, he has released a debut CD on well-know Italian label Mellow Records. The twelve tracks show a variety of emotional landscapes which correspond to different styles that are, however, unitary linked to the 70's Art Rock/Psychedelic and Progressive Rock music. Appunti di Viaggio is conceived as a report of an inner journey which this artist wants to share with us.
Let's start with the seventh track "Super wonderboy returns", a suite of over twenty-two minutes, which is by far the climax of this record. The composition starts with a drum roll that is the prelude to a sort of march and after this introduction of about a minute it comes alive with an explosion of synthesizers that refer to Rick Wakeman and the Camel, from time to time supported by an abrasive electric guitar. At about five minutes the symphonic rock gives way to a dreamlike atmosphere sequence, with sounds of whales, between cosmic couriers and Pink Floyd. Then there are splendid intersections of arpeggiated guitars, which drive a rhythmic crescendo pushing the music into territories dear to PFM, up to an epic guitar-solo full of pathos (by Ago Tambone). A quarter of an hour has already flown by when we move on to a new section in which piano, acoustic guitar and flute sounds give a strong classical touch. It comes to an end and after listening to the waves of the sea, the electric guitar and keyboards give a psychedelic flavor and solemn rhythms start, which allow the six-string to let off steam again in another fantastic solo (by Ago Tambone), before crossing again with the keyboards for a majestic finish. The other spearhead of the album is titled "L’assenza", a piece that exceeds seven minutes and advances among melancholy melodies, languid guitars, an elegant sax often protagonist, vaguely Floydian and Hendrixian suggestions. The other tracks closest to the world of progressive rock are the guitar incipit of "Sehnsucht" that smells of Syd Barrett, the world-prichedelic mantra of "Gestalt", the minute and a half of "Fa un po 'Frescobaldi" in which the sound of a harpsichord brings baroque music and the final track "Ninna nanna per Ludovica", a dream pop piece which closes the CD with three and a half relaxed minutes that convey tranquility. The other songs present are very different and very varied, starting from "Cronache per la fine di un’infanzia", dirty, between indie and metal and with the particular and theatrical vocality of the avant-garde singer Claudio Milano (Nichelodeon), follow the tumultuous energy of "Il tempo vola", the jazzy blues rock of "King Miner blues", the Italian songwriting with a hint of folk "La metà di me" (lyrics by Antonio Gridi), and "Dung" (Alessandro Calzavara vocals aka Humpty Dumpty) that tastes like new wave 80s, of the good one (Sisters of Mercy, Bauhaus, Siouxie and the Banshees), with acid and metal guitars, up to the energetic rock songwriter of “Il mare” (Morreale/Tambone). The rich and visionary artwork is by Andrea Biancucci.
Have a listen and connect with Morreale on social media
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2rhn-sqD06IcqBE6GOfcNg
https://open.spotify.com/artist/7w1jCjgTDU2XG2ANd1bIqM?si=syeKG4bwRQqvgZzGs3Pl-A
