Mass-Media Stars by Acqua Fragile, album from 1974.
The Acqua Fragile are an Italian band formed in Parma in 1971 from the ashes of the group "Gli Immortali", an Italian prog band of great musical quality and originality, which despite limited commercial resonance at the time, is now recognized among the greats of the genre.
I have spoken about them at length in their profile available HERE and on the Artists page
Mass Media Stars from 1974 is their second work, an album with excellent production also released in the United States, and represents the peak of their first artistic phase. Premiata Forneria Marconi (PFM) produced it together with Claudio Fabi, producer, composer, pianist, and arranger, one of the most influential and innovative figures in Italian discography.
Thanks to the use of the English language and compositional quality, it was one of the very few Italian prog records of the time to be distributed in the United States and Japan.
Bernardo Lanzetti's lyrics address criticism of consumer society and the power of the media, themes that were avant-garde at the time. In an era when television and radio were radically changing the perception of success, it was emphasized how image and technological mediation were becoming central in music, sometimes at the expense of artistic substance.
Musically, Mass Media Stars represents a refined evolution compared to the debut album, defining them as an "English" band born in Italy. The more polished production gives the sound a symphonic dimension.
Maurizio Mori's keyboards, unlike the first album which was dominated by organ and piano, focus on the massive use of synthesizers (MiniMoog) and Mellotron to build orchestral layers and grand riffs. The tracks are mini-suites, with extensive use of odd time signatures and frequent changes of tempo and atmosphere. The influences of Genesis (Selling England by the Pound period) and Gentle Giant are evident in the interplay between acoustic and electric guitars and in the contrapuntal arrangements.
Bernardo Lanzetti accentuates his characteristic vibrato by interpreting different roles within the songs, a theatrical approach reminiscent of Peter Gabriel.
Beautiful choral harmonies contrast instrumental complexity with more melodic moments, alternating rock moments with melancholic ballads.
The album consists of 6 tracks:
The opening track, Cosmic Mind Affair, is a complex piece performed with extraordinary technique, which evolves from an atmospheric beginning into driving rhythmic sections with outstanding keyboards and synthesizers. In 2018 Bernardo Lanzetti and the band filed a lawsuit against the American rapper Busta Rhymes, accusing him of sampling about 20 seconds of the track for his song Genesis (2001) without authorization or credit. The matter was resolved positively in November 2024, when the American rapper officially recognized the co-authorship of the work to the two Italian musicians.
Bar Gazing has an acoustic guitar introduction and vocals that recall the style of Genesis, and the track grows into beautiful vocal harmonies and outstanding electric guitar work.
Mass-Media Stars, the title track, is characterized by numerous tempo changes and a complex structure reminiscent of the style of the Yes.
Opening Act opens with an a cappella moment, and continues with vocal melodies that, together with Claudio Fabi's piano, build a splendid foundation for Lanzetti's great voice.
Professor is a track that alternates moments of calm with explosions typical of symphonic prog.
Coffee Song closes the album, with a theatrical sound and rich arrangements.
The album is the swan song of the original lineup; shortly after its release, in fact, Lanzetti left the group to join PFM, a great album that would have deserved greater success and that, upon listening, is certainly a record with an international sound, progressive rock that combines technical virtuosity with great melodic sensitivity.
Excellent album.
Note: All links to the musicians' works are in the TAGS under the article title or on the "Artists" page
Tracklist
1. Cosmic Mind Affiar (7:22)
2. Bar Gazing (5:07)
3. Mass-Media Stars (6:55)
4. Opening Act (5:40)
5. Professor (6:49)
6. Coffee Song (5:57)
Duration 37:50
LineUp
- Bernardo Lanzetti - lead vocals, acoustic, electric and 8-string guitar
- Gino Campanini - guitar, mandolin, vocals
- Maurizio Mori - keyboards
- Franz Dondi - bass
- Piero Canavera - drums, percussion, acoustic guitar, vocals, composer
With:
- Claudio Fabi - piano (4), co-producer
