PROUDLY DERIVATIVE

 Acqua Fragile took form in Parma in 1971 under the name Gli Immortali. After some personnel changes and a good live activity, in 1973 the band released their eponymous debut album on the Numero Uno label, produced by PFM and Claudio Fabi with a line up featuring Bernardo Lanzetti (vocals, guitar), Gino Campanini (electric and acoustic guitar, vocals), Maurizio Mori (keyboards, vocals), Franz Dondi (bass) and Pier Emilio Canavera (drums, acoustic guitar, vocals). The overall sound of this work is proudly derivative, based on excellent vocal harmonies and obvious musical influences from bands like Genesis and Gentle Giant. Unlike most Italian bands of the early 1970s, Acqua Fragile chose to sing in English rather than in their native language and oddly enough, the original album inner sleeve doesn't feature the English lyrics but only their Italian translation...

The opening track, "Morning Comes", is a reflection on time passing by. Each morning the daylight sweeps away all dreams, the light streams in through the window, killing the shadows and freeing up space for the daily grind. The Genesis influence here is more than evident. Then comes "Comic Strips", a nice piece about the potential of comic book art and its ability to stir the imagination. It's another exercise of style, this time drawing inspiration from Gentle Giant. The acoustic, West Coast ballad "Science Fiction Suite" closes the first side of the original LP, taking you on a surreal journey to Mars and beyond. The main sources of inspiration here are the blue eyes of Judy and CS&N...

Side two opens with the dreamy and nostalgic "Song From A Picture", inspired by a photograph and featuring Genesis influences once again. The following track, "Education Story", initially leans more toward Crimson atmospheres before taking a different course. "Going Out" is a short acoustic ballad that invites you to find the right mood to leave home and embark on a journey to Venice, Redwood or any where you like. The last track of the album is the long "Three Hands Man", which describes a dangerous individual disguised as a businessman. It's probably the most accomplished track of the entire batch, albeit with the usual clear reminiscences of Genesis and Gentle Giant...

On the whole, a work that is certainly pleasant but not exactly essential.

You can listen to the complete album HERE

Acqua Fragile: Acqua Fragile (1973). Other opinions:

Jim Russell: This album has some nice music and melodies, but please be aware this is not a true RPI album. It is a collection of impostor originals from the English prog scene, sounding ridiculously like period Genesis, Yes, Giant, and Crimson in various places. Vocals are in English and there is not much Italian tradition or even RPI style in the music or performance. If you don't care about that, read on for what they do get right: some nice songs... (read the complete review HERE)

Paul Fowler: A criticism sometimes levelled at the band is their lack of an authentic Italian sound. This is true as their sound has a much more British feel and parallels can be drawn with early Genesis and Gentle Giant in particular. However taken on its own terms, this, their eponymous debut released in 1973 is a very good album and well worth seeking out. They make good use of vocal harmonies bringing Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young to mind, perfectly illustrated on Science Fiction Suite... (read the complete review HERE)