Malibran. What do you do with this band? Their debut was hit and miss - an English styled progressive rock similar to Ezra Winston, but not quite there. I did eventually part with it.
This was followed by Le Porte del Silenzio where I stated: "This is the album where they broke ranks with their British neo prog beginning. However the first two tracks here (totaling 17 minutes) maintain the English vocals and the music overall recalls the great Ezra Winston, arguably the godfather of the Italian prog renaissance. It's more polished and mature than their debut The Wood of Tales. For the remaining 35 minutes, Malibran slips into Italian most comfortably, and this includes the 27 minute title track finale. They have eliminated all doubt that their commitment remains with progressive rock through and through. The production and sound choices are clearly from their own era - that of the early 90s. However flute remains the primary instrument, giving it the 70s authenticity we all craved at the time. The songs are well written and repeated listens are encouraged and welcomed. I've owned the album since it first came out, and almost 30 years later, its musical value increases."
Their 4th release Oltre L'Ignoto, and essentially last album (as a group), I wrote: "I'm prepared to say it's their best... It's also the first album by them to be sung in Italian exclusively, which is not a coincidence in regards to my conclusion. Oltre L'Ignoto definitely has the characteristics of the classic Italian prog sound, with a light modern touch in the production. Of course the flute goes a long way to achieving that authenticity - both of the style and the retro outlook."
And so now we get to the last of the albums I need to review. La Citta dul Lago is their 3rd release, and maintains their English / Italian hybrid approach of their second work. As soon as the first song hit the laser, I thought this was going to be an easy decision: C'ya! Overly digital and flat production, strained vocals, the entire late 90s encapsulated for what makes up a sell bin. Somewhere in the fog that is track 2, the album pivots to a more distinct Italian prog sound. The piano and flute are divine and the melodies are well written. This is one of those albums you just have to let 'er rip and see where it takes you before making any grand proclamations about it. There are many elements of the almighty Celeste to be found here. Just when you think you've settled into that mindset comes the most unusual placement of heavy metal one can imagine. It's not prog metal in the slightest. It's more like this muddled early 80s proto thrash sound. Normally I'd frown on such intrusions, but the placement is superb (and sparse fortunately). I suppose this kind of pastiche approach is not usually well received, but I find Malibran to be adept at making things up as they go along. They have the spirit of the 70s masters, but it's a bit skewed. The comfort of Grandma's house during the holidays, with scary creatures under the bed. I worked hard this time to understand this album after owning it for 23 years now. The music doesn't make any sense and yet it's memorable. Which makes it an easy keeper.
Ownership: CD: 1998 Mellow. Jewel case with lyric and photos booklet. Purchased new a couple of years after release (2000).
2000; 2009; 9/6/11; 9/5/23 (new entry)
