Quella Vecchio Locanda: Quella Vecchio Locanda (1972)

When in Rome…you get an afternoon to yourself, put your headphones on, and roam the streets looking for records stores. It wasn’t long before I found myself in front of Discoteca Laziale, a gorgeous marbled floor sanctuary for all manner of CDs and vinyl. My goal was some Italian progressive rock (again, when in Rome…) and was not surprised that Rome, like everywhere else, treats progressive rock like an unwanted step-child, relegating the vinyl to two unmarked boxes in the back and a small corner for CDs. Still, I grabbed the eponymous debut from Quella Vecchio Locanda (translated as “That Old Inn”) for just €9, and its blend of Jethro Tull-inspired folk rock with a heady dose of classical elements and symphonic arrangements made for a great travel companion throughout the first part of my trip to Italy.

ChrisJuly 17, 20251 Comment

Errata Corrige: Siegfried, Il Drago E Altre Storie (2015)

Here’s an obscure one the close the RPI week out. Errata Corrige was a symphonic prog band who released a rough debut in 1976 with limited funds, tried again with some slightly newer music that didn’t see release until 1991 and went away. Almost 25 years later the band, now older, wiser, and more experienced, returned to re-record their debut as they originally envisioned it. The result, Siegfried, Il Drago E Altre Storie, is a rich and layered experience, truly embracing the more pastoral aspects of the genre, and even if it isn’t the most thrilling album in the world, it’s got a lot of heft and weight in its idyllic grace.

ChrisMarch 14, 2025March 17, 20251 Comment

Vinyl

Le Orme: Felona e Sorona (1973)

Work got in the way the past few days, so a short one to continue the therapeutic trend of listening and writing. I debated which album from Le Orme I wanted to feature here, but in the end the classic of the genre beat out its lesser known (to my ears) follow up, and so we come to Felona E Sorona. The”E” is vitally important, as I discovered when I mistakenly bought Felona & Sorona, which is the same album but with English lyrics written by Van dear Graaf Generator’s Pete Hammill. Folks, don’t make the the same mistake I did. Go for the original article – there’s a reason it’s a classic.

ChrisMarch 13, 2025March 13, 2025Leave a comment

LogoS: L’enigma Della Vita (2014)

You can’t escape the past. We are the sum of what’s come before us, and that’s perhaps even more true when it comes other progressive rock. But the catch that too many newer bands forget is that we’re the sum of our entire past, not just what was happening in the UK in the 70s. And so when a band like LogoS comes around, consuming music and influences throughout progressive rock’s entire history it’s refreshing. L’enigma Della Vita is the band’s third album, coming 13 years after two solid if underwhelming releases. Thwe time spent was worth it, as this is a great sounding album with plenty of more modern touchstones to play around with.

ChrisMarch 12, 2025March 17, 2025Leave a comment

Vinyl

Il Balletto di Bronzo: YS (1972)

Does the 80/20 rule apply to the broad categorization of rock progressivo Italiono? We broadly define the sound as symphonic and often pastoral, with classical elements integrated, and I guess that does capture the vast majority of the bands coming at the time in the early 70s. But those edge cases are where the real gold lies, and Il Balletto di Bronzo, while carrying the general theme (as well as being a band that really had one or two albums tops before imploding) also turn the genre on its a head, being anguished and angular and heavy. Ys is not a comfortable album, I’m saying, and that tension is what makes it one of the classics of the space.

ChrisMarch 11, 2025March 11, 2025Leave a comment

Vinyl

Il Cerchio d’Oro: Pangea e Le Tre Lune (2023)

The theme this week is Rock Progressivo Italiano, which yes is essentially Italian progressive rock, but like the UK Canterbury scene, there was and remains a rich history of the genre in Italy. The focus is on classical forms and a more symphonic, pastoral approach to progressive rock…except when it wasn’t and it literally kicked your ass. This week I’ll focus on some big hitters from the 70s as well as some new players on the scene, and we’re kicking it off with a band who straddled both. Il Cerchio d’Oro formed in 1974 but things being what they were didn’t really get around to releasing any music until the early 2000s. Pangea e Le Tre Lune is their latest and completes a cycle on the elements, and brings a lot of the elements I like about the genre to the fore.

ChrisMarch 10, 2025March 9, 2025Leave a comment

Consuming the Tangible

We are what we consume

Tag: RPI

Quella Vecchio Locanda: Quella Vecchio Locanda (1972)

Errata Corrige: Siegfried, Il Drago E Altre Storie (2015)

Le Orme: Felona e Sorona (1973)

LogoS: L’enigma Della Vita (2014)

Il Balletto di Bronzo: YS (1972)

Il Cerchio d’Oro: Pangea e Le Tre Lune (2023)