Detailed Reviews [Mariposa - 2004 - "Nuotando in Un Pesce Bowl"]

Prolusion. I wasn't acquainted with the Italian project MARIPOSA until now. "Nuotando in Un Pesce Bowl" is their third full-length album, and the previous are "Domino Borelli" (2001) and "Suzuki Bazuki" (2002). As you can see above, for some reason they combine Italian and English words in the titles of their compositions.

Analysis. The material consists of five instrumental compositions, ranging from 5 to 12 minutes. Very surprisingly, it turned out that the last and the longest of them, Cece the Lil', has nearly nothing in common with the previous stuff, but the story of it is yet to come. Synthesizers are dominant throughout Palomma by Night and on the most part of The Guarracino Iette for C. With plenty of sound processing, both are pieces of spacey electronic music, though the latter is better. It features also harmonium, some flute and light metal percussion and is rather imaginative. Also, this one is given a more symphonic quality that works to intensify the essence of it. Acoustic piano rules on Palumme Vazoompa & Fly and The Mierulo Lucky, often interacting with harmonium, flute and clarinet-, clavier- and organ-like sounding solos of synthesizers. These are more eclectic and more innovative works, stylistically sliding somewhere between Ambient, Minimalist and Classical music. An inconceivable aura animates them, as each seems to be seeking to permeate the listener's subconscious. Although credited, guitar and viola are extremely rare on the album. The last composition, Cece the Lil', is exclusively chamber in character. It features guest musicians on violoncello and English horn, and nearly all of the other instruments involved are also acoustic. There are lots of acoustic piano, arranged in combination with an ensemble that includes said instruments, and also flute, harmonium, vibraphone and tambourine. This is a brilliant work, a piece of 20th Century Classical music with some minimalist and clearly avant-garde tendencies in places.

Conclusion. Well, what have we here in total? There's one masterwork, three good compositions and one makeweight, i.e. a good musical product overall. My only serious complaint lies in the style-related department. It's a bit strange that the band that has been around for several years still didn't determine their stylistic preference.

VM: March 9, 2005