Magnolia - 2017 - Con Fuoco

(58:06; Lizard Records)

Track list:
1. Con Fuoco 3:56
2. Rivolta 4:04
3. La Citta della Notte 6:54
4. Gea 4:59
5. Syrma 9:33
6. Stasi 5:20
7. Terre di Mezzo 10:09
8. Luna del Viandante Pt.1 (Stanze) 5:05
9. Luna del Viandante Pt.2 (Distanze) 3:42
10. Luna del Viandante Pt. 3 (Assenze) 4:24

Line-up:
Chiara Gironi - vocals
Donatella Valeri - piano, keyboards, arrangements
Bruno Tifi - guitar, vocals
Simone Papale - bass
Claudio Carpenelli - drums
Alessandro Di Cori - guitars, bass, synthesizers, vocals


Prolusion.
Italian band Magnolia can trace their roots back to the 1990s and a band formation called Eclissidra, but from 2010 and onwards Magnolia have been the chosen moniker. The band have two studio albums out so far. "Can Fuoco" is the most recent of these, and appeared back in 2017 through Italian label Lizard Records.

Analysis.
I experience this band as one that operate and explore an accessible variety of the progressive rock tradition, with a nice and balanced blend of hard progressive rock and neo-progressive rock as the cornerstones of the style they have chosen to explore. Quite a few of these compositions actually have an expression a bit more challenging to actually define in total, but where a harder edged and guitar riff dominated section will be a part of the landscape explored. These escapades appear early on in this case, and also feature other elements that are recurring in the shape of some orchestral textures being applied in places as well as a little bit of an acoustic and possibly folk music influx of elements by way of an acoustic guitar presence.

As this album unfolds further, we get a growing amount of more careful, floating and dreamladen passages, and these have a much stronger similarity to the atmospheric laden part of the neo-progressive rock tradition. With occasional lapses into the similar but still different blues-flavored landscapes explored by Gilmour era Pink Floyd. Again with some acoustic details that might or might not also incorporate a little bit of a folk music influence.

Otherwise we find extensive use of sound samples to establish mood and atmosphere in these songs, and while perhaps not a conceptual album this is very much a thematic one. And for those with a vested interest in sociological and political matters the band have opted to include English translations of the lyrics so that non-Italians can get a clear picture of the band's messages on the different topics covered on this album. And while I do suspect that some progressive rock fans that reside in the USA may not appreciate a political album, unless they come with a MAGA approved stamp, those with political views that reach a bit deeper than the cult referenced will probably find the messages in these songs worthy of thoughts and reflection.

I also note that the lead vocals are used very well to reflect the messages of the different songs here, with calm and collected vocals and passionate, emotional vocal delivery appearing when appropriate and called for by the lyrics. There is a distinct impression here that this is a band that are very passionate about the lyrics and the messages contained in them.

Conclusion.
Magnolia's second album "Con Fuoco" is a good example of a well developed progressive rock album with a striking and distinct accessible nature. Captivating melodies and lyrics that deal with topics of a deeper and more serious nature are combined with music that makes use of progressive hard rock and neo-progressive rock as key ingredients. In many ways I see this album as a passion project, where there is just as much if not even more passion invested in the lyrics than in the music itself. Those with an interest in lyrics that explore deeper topics and a generally accessible blend of progressive hard rock and neo-progressive rock should find this album a very interesting one to explore I'd imagine.

Olav "Progmessor" Björnsen, September 2024

Links:
https://www.magnoliaitaly.com/
http://www.lizardrecords.it/