For many of our readers the Italian musician Alex Carpani is a well known name in the progressive rock scene. He started his solo career in 2007 with the release of Waterline. Now 17 years later we can welcome his seventh album. Titled The Good Man. It is an album that might be considered as one of his best works ever. I will try to explain why. On this release Alex Carpani (vocals, keyboards, virtual orchestra, drum machine, synth bass, virtual guitars) is assisted by Bruno Farinelli (drums), Giambattista Giorgi (bass), Emiliano Fantuzzi (guitars), Alessio Alberghini (soprano sax) and Valentina Vanini (mezzo soprano voice). The album consists of the two long epic tracks Amnesiac and Good And Evil. Two suites, each a good 28 minutes long, each divided into nine parts. The two long suites represent an uninterrupted story. An experience lived through the folds and fragility of the human mind, through the infinite nuances of our emotions and feelings. The first suite Amnesiac describes in 9 parts the experience of deep amnesia that one experiences over the course of a day. Such as waking up in an unknown place, the chaotic race to escape danger, flashbacks of events that have already taken place, the world that seems to have been sucked into a vortex of madness, the search for one's own identity, memories of past lives and then finally the return of light and memory and the end of an incredible day. The second suite Good And Evil again describes in 9 parts an experience that hovers forever between good and evil. Here waves and frequencies that come from the depths of time and space. The stream of people who advance like automatons without rebelling, a post-traumatic experience that awakens feelings of guilt, the silence that precedes ecstasy, the subtle charm of darkness, a mystical experience, a party without any brakes, all things finally return to their place. Carpani describes the album himself as follows: "A bit like a small paper boat floating in the ocean of life between storms and gigantic waves, trying not to sink without ever knowing its final destination". Meaning that life is uncertain for everybody. Nobody knows his destiny and anything can happen in our journey through this crazy world. The soundtrack to this beautiful concept is as beautiful as the concept itself. It's a musical journey which grabs you by the throat right from the start and will only let you lose after the final notes have been played. A musical rollercoaster you have to take yourself to find out that Alex really did compose something out of the ordinary music wise. I was attracted and addicted to the music right away. For me there was no escape possible other than playing this excellent album over and over again. Everything that you hear on those suites is music of a very high level. Musically the two pieces are structured in a similar way. From catchy rock parts, which you cannot avoid to sing-along with, to great orchestral keyboard parts. Alex is a master in creating great atmospheric and orchestral music. Like on the opening tune On A Train or on Past Life and Lost Frequencies. On the other hand, his excellent synthesizer solos can be enjoyed throughout the entire album as well. Just like the excellent guitar solos. A good example is As Light Returns. The guests on soprano saxophone and mezzo soprano voice are very important on several of the compositions. In a way they make the differences. Listen for example to the earlier mentioned As Light Returns, Masquerade and P.T.S.D. and you will hear what both of them are capable of. But it is most of all Valentina who gives me goosebumps with her incredible vocals every time I hear her sing. Just listen to the songs Flashbacks, Past Life and End Of The Day and you will be as excited as I am. Mentioning any musical highlights is not easy because the entire album is one musical highlight for me. But I have to mention Mystical in particular because of its amazing Church organ parts. But also, all the songs on which you can hear the amazing voice of Valentina are the absolute musical highlights on this excellent album. But my favourites are without any doubt As Lights Returns, End Of The Day, Mystical and the musical climax Everything Falls Into Place which ends the album in a perfect way. It's always difficult to compare the musical work of somebody with that of other musicians.. But Steven Wilson came to mind several times. Of course, the musical influences of bands like King Crimson and Genesis are still present. But it is mainly an album with rather modern sounding progressive rock influences,but with influences taken from Symphonic Prog, Prog Metal/Hard Rock, Jazzrock, Fusion, Classical Music and Retroprog. The Good Man is without further ado an excellent progressive rock album that only deserves the highest rating possible! For me this musical effort is a true masterpiece and without doubt one of the musical highlights of 2024. Therefore, if you can come up with two magnificent progressive rock epics only the five stars can be given and nothing else! Chech the interview we had with Alex Carpani: link. ***** Henri Strik (edited by Dave Smith) Where to buy? |
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