04 March 2012

EMILIO LOCURCIO "L'Egliogabalo" Italy 1979

A crazed operatic symphonic Italian prog feast with assistance from the members of Pierrot Lunaire. Insane and lush, beautiful and overarching by turns. Locurcio's tale is as rich as the record housing/art itself, which in totality is an eccentrically irreverent trip.. from the outside madness to the inner gatefold storybox, pinnacled by the internal sleeve following the perverse logic within. The music covers a range of stylistics, eagerly attacking each with all due panache and a singular, decidedly quizzical, aplomb. Typical Italian-symphonic, Rock in Opposition, small Gong-esque bits, theatrical Ange-like departures, schizoid madness akin to the works of the three majors in that field: Semiramis "Dedicato a Frazz," Museo Rosenbach "Zarathustra," Osanna "Palepoli;" add a dash of Pholas Dactylus, a pinch of il Giro Strano, and impassioned vocals to contend with the likes of the powerhouse frontmen of Banco del Mutuo Soccorso, Jumbo, Area. Seemingly disjointed upon first inspection, this marvel takes at least 5 listens to truly engage with the insidiously hypnotic state of frenzy which it induces. Madness lies herein, of a wondrous sort, imbibe grossly.

"Did you wash your hands before coming to the table?"

"Don't do the spiritual..."