Customer Reviews

Darwin

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Banco's second album is a real grower and is a totally amazing masterpiece of Italian prog. The album's production and music has improved over their debut, released earlier the same year as Darwin! in 1972. The synthesizers are much more present as well. The band continues on the same classically-influenced, duo keyboards from the Nocenzi brothers and the semi-operatic voice of Francesco di Giacomo. Darwin! is a concept album about evolution and the rejection of Creationism. Unlike the original LPs of their previous album and their following (Io Sono Nato Libero), which were issued in gimmick packaging, the original LP of Darwin! was issued in normal gatefold packaging. Anyway, the album opens up with "L'Evoluzione" which is totally amazing. It's the longest piece on the album, and it's stuffed with great themes and solos. Some of the passages reminds me a little of ELP, or even Gentle Giant, for that matter. The next cut, the largely instrumental "La Conquista Della Posizione Eretta" is totally stunning. The synth sound has gotta be heard to be believed, it just sounds so dramatic and big. This cut alone is what made Banco one of the greats of Italian prog. I am also reminded of "Metamorfosi" from their previous album, as it's structured similarly: as about three quarters of the cut consists of lengthy solos, then the end part ends with vocals, only I think the vocal section here works better than on "Metamorfosi". "Danza dei Grandi Rettili" is a instrumental jazzy piece, rather laid-back, sounding a little different from what I'm accustomed to from Banco. There's an amazing ballad, "750.000 Anni Fa... L'Amore" which is by far the best Banco ballad I ever heard. "Miserere Alla Storia" tends to have a rather sinister atmosphere, while the last cut, "Ed Ora Io Domando Tempo al Tempo Ed Egli Mi Risponde... Non Ne Ho!" has a rather carousel waltz-like feel that sounds very Italian. I like the use of harpsichord and reed organ on that cut. I took me a few more listens to appreciate than Io Sono Nato Libero, but in the end, I feel Darwin! is just as great and essential. This album is right up there with Museo Rosenbach's Zarathustra, Le Orme's Felona e Sorona, PFM's Per Un Amico, Osanna's Palepoli, Cervello's Melos, and of course Banco's Io Sono Nato Libero, as far as Italian prog goes, so if you enjoy Italian prog, Darwin! is absolutely essential!

This LP proved beyond doubt that Italian prog bands could be much more than derivatives from the UK bands like Genesis, Gentle Giant or Yes. The Banco del Mutuo Soccorso (or Banco, as everybody here in Italy calls them) was able to mix classical influences, electronic sound and astounding live performances. The gorgeous musical structures engineered by the musical minds of the band, the Nocenzi brothers (keyboards) were the background for the wonderful vocal performances of the singer, Di Giacomo, one of the greatest Italian voices ever. In case you like prog music, have enjoyed the likes of VDGG, Emerson, Lake & Palmer etc. and wish to try something a bit different, do try Darwin.

I would not compare this album to the works of either Premiata Forneria Marconi or Le Orme. While PFM, a great group, is quite different in style, Le Orme's widely praised Felona e Sorona presents nothing extraordinary and the band itself is a pretty mediocre musical enterprise. Darwin is a masterpiece. Brilliant work, it's a step above the BMS's first eponymous album. The structure of the compositions is more complex and some influence of Gentle Giant can be seen in the rhythmical switches and melody turns. L'Evoluzione and La Conquista are certain favorites, but also listen to Cento Mani, Cento Occhi, it's an excellent piece. The balladic 750,000 Anni Fa is beautiful but too simplistic and rather atypical for them. Misere Alla Storia with sinister-sounding Di Giacomo is as close to Italian opera as it could be (in that part only), great track. The last piece, Ed Ora, in barrel-piano style creates atmosphere of last-century Italy as we know it from films. Their musical dexterity really shines throughout the entire album. Darwin and their third album are probably their best efforts.

This is one of the best albums of Banco. If you like prog you should try this album. The voice of Vittorio is amazing, specially in 750,000 Anni Fa l amore. This group with PFM showed us that not only England had good prog.

I still remember the day my brother's friend, owner of an excellent music store in Ottawa, ON, gave me a copy of Darwin based on my love of neo-progressive bands such as Marillion, Pendragon, Jadis, IQ, etc. Those bands I now consider "gateway" bands to the older symphonic marvels of Italian prog rock in the early to mid 1970s. I was immediatelt struck by Banco's intensity of songwriting and finesse of the muscianship. The twin keyboard set-up gives the music a richness and color that paints the album from beginning to end. Branching out from the obvious symphonic prog touchpoints, this album also features some jazz and folk influences, particularly in the guitar, all the while maintaining a distinct Italian identity. The soaring vocals can easily be linked to the classical / operatic tradition, but the phrasing and emotion give the singing a strong rock edge. Hard-charging, with moments of quiet, jazz-influenced brilliance, this is a great introduction to one of prog rock's finest.

I give this disc a five star rating simply because B.M.S. is one of my all-time favourite bands;so call me biased! Seriously speaking,this recording shows a slightly more mature band than the one that recorded their first LP only months before this.As the title suggests,this record deals with man's evolution,with all lyrics in Italian. The opening tune,"L'Evoluzione" opens slowly,and progresses in a manner not unlike that of "Il Giardino Del Mago" on their first album. Beautifully melodic keyboard solos,(courtesy of the brothers Nocenzi),are the order of the day here. The next piece,the 8-minute-plus "L'Conquista Della Posizione Eretta" sounds in places like a spaghetti western,but is nonetheless mesmerising;model perhaps as an up-date on "Metamorfosi" from their previous record. The rest of the CD is composed of shorter pieces in the five minute range,highlighted by the haunting and mysterious "750,000 Anni Fa...L'Amore?" featuring some of the sweetest singing that lead vocalist Francesco Di Giacomo has ever commited to tape. All in all the band is in fine form,and while this recording has its flaws,they are obviously poised to launch their next effort IO SONO NATO LIBERO.The future looked bright indeed...and you didn't even have to wear shades!

This is excellent Prog Rock at it's best. For the longest time I only had the American "Maticore" release (now Japanese Import Only), till last year. I bought everything available, as you see by the selection their going out of print. Get yours while you can! You won't regret it. This is up to or better than many British Progressive Bands from the same era.

ONE OF BANC'S BEST ALBUMS, EVERY TRACK IS GREAT, ESPECIALLY WITH THE AWESOME BLU SPEC AUDIO FORMAT. MUST HAVE FOR ANY CD COLLECTION, BUT DON'T PAY THESE RIDICULOUS OVER-INFLATED PRICES, I BOUGHT MINE FROM THE MUSIC SPECIALIST ON E BAY, THEY ALSO HAVE A STORE IN GEMM, ANTEATERMUSIC. SAVE YOURSELF A TON OF CASH.
CHEERS!

I still remember discovering this LP back in '72, along with their first album, while riding the heady progressive wave to its peak, arguably only a year later. I wore out the first Darwin! LP and and still have the second. What a lump-in-the-throat moment it was 18 years later when I saw them play "La Conquista Della Posizione" at the La Mirada Civic Theater (thank you again, Greg Walker!).

But let's get on track here. Anyone who considers themselves a progressive fan must have this CD in their collection. If you're new to prog and enjoy both intricate and melodic music this is a must-have. Getting into describing the individual songs is futile unless you know the Italian prog sound, and if you don't already own this pivotal CD you don't yet know the Italian prog sound. In a nutshell, this album is more dynamic than their first, but, being a concept album, it has a continuity of sound. There are creepy moments with a what sounds like a creaking swing and synthesizers are weaving in-and-out, then Francesco comes in singing sweetly in the foreground and a clavichord plays with melodic economy. There's the epic build up during "La Conquista" which leads you straight into what sounds like the best James Bond film you've ever, ah, heard. But it's not like a John Barry score, it's Italian. It's not spaghetti western's Ennio Morricone either, it's prog. And you really just have to buy this CD to know what that means.

This is a new recording 20 years after the original one
as many examples in music we have better aspects and worse ones
The bad point is Franchesco di Giacomo voice, now is 20 years after
Understandme, In this record he is extraordinary, but in the original one he was unsurpased. The biggest diference is in trak 5 750000 ani. still the beauty and finesse voice but the power is gone, It means, no more DRAMATIC.
The music is top of the line, now with more electronic gear, but also the pace, the rithm is much more mature, is totally a pleasure
EVALUATION: (each topic in points; 0-under, 1-standar, 2-over) 1) Voice-2, CD sound-1, Album Concept-2. Originality-2. Performance-2. Musical contruction-2, voice construction-1.
Totally One of a kind record that must have in any rock library.