Week of August 1, 2004
Maurizio Rivoltella
Sandro Zane
Luciano Zanardo
Sergio Piazza
Marino Rebeschini
Il Mucchio - 1970 Carosello SCLN 25001
CD: Mellow MMP 166
This little-known quintet from Venice released their eponymous album in 1970. Il Mucchio's musical style was rather song-oriented, although their clear classical influence ensures some interest. Instrumentally, a peculiar organ sound, almost like a harpsichord or celeste, is omnipresent on most tracks. They were clearly influenced by New Trolls in several ways - their heavy style on early singles, their multi-layered vocal arrangements, and they also had a vocalist with a high-pitched voice similar to Nico Di Palo. The main difference is the lack of lead guitars in Il Mucchio's music, although the fine keyboard arrangements (slightly similar to early Procol Harum) more than compensate. I suppose they had two keyboards players, but the sleeve contains no exact information. The album is recommended to those who enjoy music stylistically set between late beat and early progressive rock.
Taken from Scented Gardens of the Mind - A guide to the Golden Era of Progressive Rock (1968-1980) in more than 20 European Countries, by Dag Erik Asbjørnsen, Borderline Productions, ISBN 1-899855-12-2