15 Brain-Twisting Concept Albums That Are Endlessly Rewarding
3. Darwin! Banco del Mutuo Soccorso
One common criticism of concept albums, particularly those borne from progressive rock, is that they are pretentious. For some people, the concepts are too lofty, overly esoteric or just plain boring. So when a band with two keyboard players and a bearded opera singer writes a complex suite of songs on the subject of Darwinian evolution, the result is bound to offend some but Banco del Mutuo Soccorsos Darwin! is proof that on some occasions, pretension is justified. It starts off dark and mysterious, like the primordial ooze just beginning to form amid the chaos of comet collisions and stormy seas, until it gradually swells and life begins with the tinkling of a harpsichord. All the lyrics are sung in Italian, and though translations do exist, knowing the song titles is sufficient Francesco Di Giacomo belts the words out convincingly enough to let you know something big is going on. All the songs are tightly composed, featuring Di Giacomos gorgeous singing and the breathtaking keyboard interplay of brothers Vittorio and Gianni Nocenzi. Along the way, the band dabbles in haunting classical arrangements, pseudo-electronic, straightforward blues and operatic balladry, all with the unique Banco sound and tremendous imagination. Its definitely a weird album, particularly when the band decides to let loose with caveman grunts at the end of their most ferocious rocker, but if Darwin! doesnt make you imagine reptiles climbing out of the oceans and man standing savagely atop the bones of billions before discovering culture, its not for Bancos lack of trying.
Kyle Schmidlin is a writer and musician living in Austin, TX. He manages the news blog at thirdrailnews.wordpress.com. Follow him at facebook.com/kyleschmidlin or twitter.com/kyleschmidlin1.
