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Upon discovering a new band, I
don't often go out and quickly buy their other products. After
hearing "Storybook," the new live disc from the Italian
symph-prog band "Finisterre," I made an exception to that rule.
The "Storybook" album was recorded at the 1997 edition of the
Progday festival in Chapel Hill, North Carolina (their first
ever US performance), and contained songs largely found on the
band's first two albums. As soon as the opportunity arose, I
grabbed the second, "Finisterre" studio album, "In Limine."
However, comparing the original songs to their Progday
counterparts soon had me wishing that I had stuck to the live
album. Simply put, "Finisterre" smokes on "Storybook." There's
an energy there that doesn't show up on the studio album.
Part of it had to do with Boris Valle's
keyboards -- apparently, rather than dragging his rig all the
way across the Atlantic, Valle borrowed another band's equipment
for Finisterre's set. The result was a nice, warm, even jazzy
sound that plays off well against Sergio Grazia's flute and
Stefano Marelli's guitar lines. The production on "In Limine"
also plays a part in that difference. The studio versions come
across as somewhat cold, even austere, as if the "progressive"
part of the band's game totally eclipsed the "rock" side.
Not so on "Storybook," where tracks like, "Orrizonte
Degli Eventi" get the full out, rocking when appropriate,
nuanced-when-called-for treatment it deserves. That track,
clocking in at a sprawling 15:29,
shows off just about every facet "Finisterre" has to offer, from
a gentle flute opening, to passages recalling "King Crimson," "Genesis"
and "Echolyn," among others, to sections where Marelli cuts
loose a few driving riffs.
Another example of the meshing of this
band's two extremes can be heard on the 10-minute, "Altaloma."
The first half, a groove-laden, jazzy workout, keeps a
relatively low profile. Around the 5 minute mark, the tenor of
the track changes. Marelli starts up an insistent, but basic
three note riff, which he keeps repeating for about a minute
(with a few flourishes here and there), while bassist Fabio
Zuffani fills in the spaces between the repetitions with a
simple two note pattern. Halfway through, Valle comes in with a
single, rich note, which he simply holds for 40 seconds. The
buildup pays off when Andrea Orlando, who had been messing
around on his cymbals throughout this minute, starts banging on
his snares, leading
"Finisterre" off on a two minute whirlwind that includes a
couple of "Yes" inspired riffs. The song ends back in the calm,
jazzy mood, as if the band had to catch its breath after busting
loose for that short time.
My personal favorites from the disc are, "Macinaaqua,
Macinaluna" and "Phaedra." The latter, a full out
rocker of a tune,
includes band introductions wrapped around selections from "Genesis"
and "King Crimson" songs, erasing any doubts that may have
remained about "Finisterre's" influences.
Coincidentally, both songs were originally
on the band's self-titled debut album. Despite my experience
with the "In Limine" studio disc, I'm definitely going to be
grabbing that debut disc -- that's how good the performance, and
the songs on "Storybook" are.
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| Artist |
Finesterre |
| Title |
Storybook |
| Label |
Moonjune
Records |
| Reviewer |
Partha
Mukhopadhyay |
| Rating |
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| web site |
Moonjune
Records Home |
| win stuff |
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