Opening with lively flute, drums and hand percussion, followed by staccato piano, fuzzy electric guitar and the unmistakable sounds of the Moog, it’s clear Alusa Fallax are yet another serious contender in the Italian prog sweepstakes. One of the more obscure albums in an already obscure scene, “Intorno alla Mia Cattiva Educazione” (translating more or less to “Getting Around To My Poor Education”) is many a fan’s dark horse pick for “name the best Italian prog band nobody’s heard of”. Augusto Cirla possesses that wonderfully unique Italian gruff voice, also shared by Alvaro Fella (Jumbo) and Roberto Zola (Odissea) – which has that slow burn growth similar to a great hot sauce. With 13 tracks, an approximate 50/50 split of instrumental and vocal, the listener can expect the usual challenging listen, with a gazillion tempo breaks, that most Italian progressive rock albums are known for. In fact, Alusa Fallax takes a bit longer to adjust to, given the slightly more mellow texture, avant-garde leanings of the middle section and rough vocal component. The wait makes it all that much more powerful when it finally clicks, that moment when it eventually all makes sense. Some of the transitions from vocal to instrumental are sublime, the driving rhythm rising out of the melancholic and dramatic melody sections. No question this is in Italy’s Top 20, quite an accomplishment given that it’s from possibly the most fertile scene ever. Masterpiece.
Alusa Fallax - Intorno Alla Mia Cattiva Educazione
Intorno Alla Mia Cattiva Educazione is yet another solid entry to the ranks of Italian symphonic progressive, and unfortunately another in a sea of brilliant one-shot albums which would never see follow ups. Alusa Fallax play grand, morose symphonic rock rife with the usual amenities like flute, mellotron and layers of acoustic guitars. While the vocalist has a similar delivery to Locanda delle Fate's singer, he's somewhat raspier and not quite as good. Still, the very expressive vocals guide the stunning musical mosaic on its delicate course, reminding throughout of a darker PFM, with hints of Quella Vecchia Locanda and the aforementioned Locanda delle Fate. The music is darkly intense at times, plaintive and beautiful at others, marked with waves of flute, guitar and horn.
The album consists of thirteen shorter tracks that flow together as an extended piece. The first half of the album is the strongest portion, often breathtakingly gorgeous. In some of the middle tracks, the band muddles around a bit, playing with sounds and seemingly attempting some sort of more "experimental" vibe. It doesn't really work, but certainly doesn't ruin the album. These tracks are easy to ignore when sitting down with the album as a whole, and thankfully, the work picks up towards the end, as powerful vocals and sweeping symphonics guide the album to its somber conclusion. Fans of mellower Italian symphonic will likely find Intorno an indispensable gem.
- Greg Northrup [October 2001]
Allusa Fallax was an Italian band from the 70's playing in the sophisticated progressive style of Banco del Muttuo Soccorso, heavily leaning on classical influences. The vocalist is excellent and sounds similar to Banco 's F. di Giacomo. Although there are some quieter, pastoral sections that recall PFM or Errata Corrige, most of the album features energetic interplay between flute/sax, guitar, various keyboards and the rhythm section. Intorno Alla Mia Cattiva Educazione is yet another marvelous release of 70's Italian symphonic progressive.
