A curious release in many ways from Italian proggers Karmamoi. It isn’t exactly a new album, as in completely new music. It’s a mixture of new songs, and reworkings of several old tracks given an orchestral makeover. Apparently, the core band were keen to do this, and when it works, I can see why. Their music is quite symphonic in approach, and so orchestrating their best songs seems logical.
For me, the stand out success of the orchestral tracks is Zealous Man, originally on 2021’s Room 101. It was always a good song, but the orchestral arrangement takes it to a new level, and it certainly earns its place on the album. It builds from a quiet intro into a robust symphonic workout, ebbing and flowing in a satisfying manner. In fact all the reworked songs sound markedly different, but that is at least partly because they are being sung by a totally different voice. Most of these songs were originally recorded with Sara Rinaldi’s voice in mind, a slightly fragile but beguiling voice which suited the songs well. Now they are being sung by Valerio Sgargi, and a more different voice is hard to imagine. His deep masculine operatic tones are more noticeable a change than the imaginative string arrangements to be honest. When it works, as on Zealous Man, or Room 101, or possibly even Nashira (from 2016’s Silence Between Sounds), it’s really quite moving.
There is a ‘but’ though, and for me, a couple of the song choices are strange. Take Me Home and Your Name, both originally from The Day Is Done (2018) just don’t work for me. Take Me Home is ponderous, and drags terribly, like wading through treacle. I’m not sure why they chose this song, as the original isn’t particularly great, but the orchestral version sounds suffocating. Your Name suffers mainly because it seems to be far better suited to Sara Rinaldi’s voice and style, rather than because of the strings. Aside from these, the songs largely work, though I find they have a tendency to be a bit over long, reducing their impact somewhat.
The other side of the coin on Strings From The Edge of Sound is the new material. There are four new pieces. Album opener Black Hole Era is the most immediate and impressive, and as Karmamoi often do, it builds from very restrained beginnings to a powerful climax, with some impressive and emotive guitar from Alex Massari.
Tell Me and I Will Come In Your Dreams are pleasant and enjoyable ballads, and the title track which closes the album is a sub-two minute oddity, a sort of poem set to an experimental string soundscape.
Delving into the world of Karmamoi has been an interesting experience, and listening to some of their back catalogue and comparing it to the new orchestral versions has been enlightening, but I think for me, this album represents a holding pattern, perhaps drawing a line under the past line ups and celebrating their older songs, whilst preparing the ground for future material. The next album will be more important, and they have the potential to create something really worthwhile. I will await future music with interest. Any existing fans may well love this album, and the new versions are significantly different, justifying buying even if you have the originals, but as a newcomer to the band, this feels like a stop gap release, and I’d prefer to hear brand new songs, especially of the quality of Black Hole Era.
TRACK LISTING
01. Black Hole Era (7:40)
02. Nashira (9:11)
03. Take Me Home (8:31)
04. Tell Me (6:07)
05. Room 101 (8:40)
06. I Will Come In Your Dreams (5:27)
07. Your Name (8:21)
08. Zealous Man (11:56)
09. Strings From The Edge Of Sound (1:58)
Total Time – 67:51
MUSICIANS
Daniele Giovannoni – Drums, Keyboards, Backing Vocals
Valerio Sgargi – Vocals, Backing Vocals, Keyboards
Alex Massari – Guitars
Alessandro Cefalì – Bass
ADDITIONAL INFO
Record Label: Independent
Country of Origin: Italy
Date of Release: 1st September 2023
LINKS
Karmamoi – Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | YouTube | X
