This album, from Italian progster Fasce, starts well enough with a funky guitar based workout 'Hard' but, sadly, it doesn't get much better after this.
Title track 'Images from the Past' starts like an instrumental Elton John but gets a bit leaden as it progresses. 'Taxi' has the ubiquitous beatbox but with sci-fi synth could be the theme tune to a remake of 'Terminator'.
Fasce is evidently a talented multi-instrumentalist who started out in a band playing ELP covers. Here he plays keyboards and guitar to lesser or greater effect. 'Melancholy' for example is just that, but it's like someone has been let loose on a very basic PC-based midi rig circa 1996.
In sum, this CD should be filed under European 'new age'. The production smacks a bit of home studio noodling and needs focus. There's also an absence of strong and inspiring themes.
The rocking tracks 'Hard', 'Speed Limit' and - um - 'Rockey' are the standouts and show a style that Fasce might best follow in future, but it veers towards Miami Vice updated for a ProTools generation.
If TV backing tracks and ambient synthy vibes is your bag, track this one down. Otherwise, wide berth required.
***** Out of this world | **** Pretty
damn fine |
*** OK, approach with caution unless you are a fan |
** Instant bargain bin fodder | * Ugly. Just ugly
