I think Il Paese dei Balocchi's sole album is the kind of Italian progressive album that is taken for granted. Usually filed under terms like "second tier", and though not an unfair statement when compared to the likes of PFM, Banco, Biglietto per L'Inferno, Semiramis, Il Balletto di Bronzo, ad infinitum, one should still call this "first tier". A beautiful piece of rock music. I think the orchestrations / singer songwriter romantic stuff is what doesn't sit well for first time visitors / scan-through listeners. After a bombastic opening, the album gives the listener a bit of a head fake. That said, all of the mellow parts are so well done and there are no whiny bits to endure, which usually detracts from other albums in the genre. Overall, it's looser and more sparse than most coming from Italy during this time. One of the few albums with a killer pipe organ solo. I do believe this is a classic! Yes, I do.
Ownership: LP: 1972 CGD. Originals come in a wonderful gatefold sleeve. I've had this on LP a few times, including the single sleeve Japanese press. Looks like I purchased this copy online in 2004.
CD: 2004 Strange Days (Japan). Mini-LP/papersleeve that replicates the original. Part of the Triade box set, and is likely to go nowhere anytime soon.
11//04; 5/10/16 (new entry)
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