Search - Pfm :: Passpartu (Mlps)

3.5 stars

02/19/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is a major shift in style and focus for this brilliant Italian band. This is not a progressive rock album. It is more focused on melody and song structure than previous efforts. Perhaps best described as progressive pop. The musicianship, as always, is terrific. Unfortunately, they do not stretch out the compositions as they did with past efforts. Vocalist Bernardo Lanzetti tones down the warble and vibrato to present his most accessable singing to date. Patrick Djivas bass playing swings. It's a shame that Franco Mussida and Flavio Premoli are so subdued as their respective brilliance is not as evident as one would hope. Not among their best but still enjoyable and worth purchasing...Simon"

Ending an era in style

Gareth Davies-Morris | San Diego, CA USA | 02/10/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The last of an unbroken line of great prog albums. PFM have recently resurrected themselves quite respectably on Ulysse, but fans of their classic 70s stuff may have missed this underrated gem, the last facet in the end-of-the-70s triptych that also included Chocolate Kings and Jetlag. Passpartu is more commercial, to be sure, but the emphasis is still very much on prog ideas, given the fluid musicianship and Lanzetti's gorgeous Gabrielesque vocals. The title track, "Svita la Vita," and the opening and closing numbers wouldn't be out of place on Jetlag, and the production is immaculate. No epics or even ferocious jams -- no "Traveler" or "Chocolate Kings," in other words -- but a brace of subtle yet never simple songs that continue their prog tradition while bettering the kind of pop that would come on later albums like Miss Baker. Give a listen to "Su Una Mosca E Sui Dolci" and you'll be convinced."

A departure for PFM - - Very uplifting

Michael A. Alcini | Las Vegas, NV USA | 03/21/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"These songs are very catchy. "Svita la vita" bounces along with such grace and the vocal line is simply brilliant. The percussion really spices up some of the songs. "Le trame blu", "Passpartu", and "I cavalieri del tavolo cubico" have a layed back sophistication to them, that certain magic PFM touch . This CD is so different from any of their other ones, a must have for Italian/Progressive fans."