Franco Battiato ~ Pollution [Bla Bla, 1973]

A1. Il Silenzio Del Rumore
A2. 31 Dicembre 1999 Ore 9
A3. Areknames

B1. Beta
B2. Plancton
B3. Pollution
B4. Ti Sei Mai Chiesto Quale Funzione Hai?

Vocals, Synthesizer - Battiato
Bass, Synthesizer - Gianni Mocchetti
Drums, Timpani - Gianfranco D'Adda
Guitar, Synthesizer - Mario Ellepi
Synthesizer - Ruby Cacciapaglia





'This very interesting recording of experimental/avant-garde/prog released by Franco Battiato in 1973, is one of two proggish albums he made in the early 1970's [the other being Fetus, 1972]. Given the complexity of this music, it is inconceivable that Battiato could have ever been a pop star, yet he was before 1972. He pretty much threw the pop approach out the window for this recording however, which consists largely of experimental passages on synthesizers including the VCS 2 [this is a new one for me] and the VCS 3, in addition to a tiny bit of pipe organ on Il silenzio del rumore. With regard to synthesizers, every band member with the single exception of the drummer plays one form of the VCS or the other. Furthermore, even though the VCS3 was used more as a sound generator than a melodic instrument, the tones employed are smooth, lush & clean. The pieces on the album are arranged such that tracks 1-4 form a suite of sorts that starts with a recording of classical music [it sounds like a waltz] over which Battiato provides spoken word passages in Italian [spoken word passages also close the suite]. The four pieces alternate heavily rocking sections of drums/bass/guitar, with experimental passages played on synths. Plancton starts of with some spacey sounds on the VCS3 and then gradually, acoustic guitar is incorporated along with some gloomy vocal parts. The closing segment of Plancton is heavily influenced by Italian folk music albeit with the added twist of odd sounds generated on the VCS3 [notice a pattern here?]. The title track Pollution provides more of the same, and at 8'48" is the longest piece on the album. The closing track is a personal favorite and just consists of heavily echoed/delayed, very sad and gothic sounding classically influenced synth lines [it almost sounds like a choir but not quite], on top of which Battiato half sings/half weeps his way through the piece [which ultimately gives way to his completely breaking down in fits of sobbing]. Highly recommended to all fans of Italian prog and experimental rock.' ~ jeff park

one of my favourite albums from this genuis of Italo psychedelique analog prog. if you thought the ems vcs3 or 'putney' was only capable of Hawkwind & Pink Floyd style signal processing, gleeps & gloops, hear they shine in owl their harmonically capable glory. happy & honoured to bring the definitive 320 version of this monster to the greater interwebs. give a hute, don't pollute :)