Cherry Five - "Cherry Five" (1975)

An intense rollercoaster ride from start to finish. Incredible speed and great rippling rockpassages here. "Country Grave-Yeard" is all a real fast energetic opener, never a dull moment there. I hear some Yes-influeneces here and there but overall this is pretty original italian highenegery progrock of the highest class (yes it is an italian band). The singer sounds a bit like Bernard lanzetti from P.F.M. That is, he has a good and fitting voice to this kind of fast rock. The first track is perhaps the most wellknown and from that point the album just keeps going, reaching new heights, new glorious moments of musical complexibility and swirling instrumental passages.

"The Picture of Dorian Gray" opens with a beautiful, mellow theme, dreamy keyboards and acoustic guitar. And then comes a fast, furiously played hammond organ, the song rises slowly. I really like thyis sort of high class progressive rock-drive that they get into. The track is like the former also not gloomy or moody but rather a fresh and striking air about it. You just have to love this sound, this kind of interplay. There are loads of changes and the music never looses up on its high level, another fabolous track.

"The Swan is a murderer p1. 1" - Wow! The guitarist and keyboardist have some awesome riffs and passages here, it is really jawdropping at times. That harpsichord, it really sets the scene straight, and you will only get some moments to catch you breath at the end of the track while it fades out slowly and somewhat eerie. Soon the next track, the continuing story - "The Swan is a murderer pt. 2" begins. Needles to mention, again it is a fast paced track and I really can't come up with any good comparisons really. Take my word for it though, you will love this sounds, this drive and excellent progrock. Watch out for the harpsichord and keyboards again, sweeping you off your feet. Great backing vocals here and there also, the musicianship this band holds is so impressing once you get the whole picture, once you get more and more used to the different sections.

"Oliver" is another long track, (around 9 minutes) crackfilled with all the above mentioned magic. Mighty passages and a furious interplay between these guys. Almost half way into the song there is a wonderful break, the track slowing down for a while. This track also is equal in brilliance to the other tracks. The keyboardist really deserves to be noticed, a breathtaking musician I tell you. The last track, "My little cloud land" is no filler or shows the least trace of weakness or hesitation.
No sir, this really is a great album all the way. It is not often that I come across such a solid and winning album, that actually stands the test, that delievers such wellcrafted progrock from start to finish. My advice: get this album, you wont get disappointed.