London Underground (Italy)

London Underground is the side project of Standarte drummer/vocalist Daniele Caputo. Basically a trio, the band features Caputo, bassist Marco Paiggesi, keyboard player Gianluca Gerlini, plus a few guest guitarists. Stylistically similar to Standarte, but perhaps with a Beatles flair, ala Big Elf, the main difference is that this band is much less in a heavy rock vein. Caputo seems to feature classic retro 70's sounds, and the bands emphasis on Hammond organ, Mellotron, Moog, and vocal harmonies that would have found a home on any Beatles or Traffic album from that era. Guitars are used quite sparingly, instead leaving room for Gerlini to steal the show. From the production, to the instrumentation, down to the song arrangements, if you didn't know any better you would swear this album was recorded in 1971. Some of the highlights are the catchy "Worst Is Yet To Come", with its driving bass line, swirling organ, and addictive chorus. "Was She Worth My Time" is like a head on collision of The Beatles and early Deep Purple, complete with haunting Mellotron. There is even a neat cover version of the Brian Auger classic "Whatcha Gonna Do" included, featuring a hot Hammond solo that would make Auger smile. London Underground is one of those bands that, given the right promotion, could possibly catch on with a more mainstream audience. Only time will tell. -- Peter Pardo

I'm proud of Sweden when it comes to progressive & symphonic rock. We have many great bands such as ÄNGLAGARD, LANDBERK, The FLOWER KINGS, SINKADUS, ABRAMIS BRAMA, QOPH, SAMLA MAMMAS MANNA and ANEKDOTEN to mention a few. But we also have three of my favourite record labels here in Sweden: APM (Ad Perpetuam Memoriam), Mellotronen and Record Heaven. These three labels together are responsible for the main part of the releases today that are really interesting, Swedish and non-Swedish. - So when I started listening to LONDON UNDERGROUND's debut album, it didn't come as a surprise that this was another outstanding release from the Record Heaven label. LONDON UNDERGROUND are three Italian musicians and three additional musicians, playing British 60's & 70's influenced pop-rock with lots of vintage keyboards such as Hammond, Organ, Moog, Clavinet and Mellotron. Judging by the music, their biggest influence seems to be The BEATLES. But there's also reminiscences to ATOMIC ROOSTER, BIGELF, KING CRIMSON, PINK FLOYD, SHADES OF ORANGE and STANDARTE. The band also featuring the ex-STANDARETE drummer and vocalist: Daniele Caputo. - If it wasn't for the excellent production you could've easily believed that this album originated from the 60's or the 70's. My favourite tracks are the psychedelic "Worst Is Yet To Come", the BEATLES and Eastern influenced "Everywhere I Go", the ballad "Was She Worth My Time", Love Is A Beautiful Thing" and the groovy closing track "Whatcha Gonna Do". - Summary: This is a highly recommended album from a Swedish label, with an Italian band, playing British sounding pop rock. (PROGARCHIVES)

hiped пишет:Не знаю, Вадим (московский), как ты его упустил, но рад был поднять настроение хромому!
Второй альбом неплохой тоже, но он менее ретро, поэтому, Вадим (ленинградский) согласен с тобой, что выглядит побледней.