I’ve been a bit of a busy boy lately as Uncle Steve has kept me plied with many, many CD’s. Moonlight Comedy are the last of one of the recent batches to wing my way. This means that I’ve had plenty of time to digest this effort from the eclectic bunch Italians. I have decided in my  (less than) infinite wisdom that this is definitely a bit of a grower. I have also had the chance to take a gander at what other websites have had to say about Dorothy. In fact, there’s one that I found which has hailed this very platter as a masterpiece. High praise indeed, but is it warranted? 

Well, yes and no. The playing is wonderful and for once the hyperbole of the band’s press release doesn’t lie when it says that, “the passion of the group lies in the fusion between melodic harmonies and innovative instrumental sequences.” Solar Eclipse is a particularly epic way to introduce the album. It features a kitchen sink approach to sound that works very well. On the downside, Lunar Eclipse, a few songs later is a dreary acoustic dirge that stops the momentum of the album stone dead. 

The star of the album is undoubtedly Simone Fiorletta who is an outstanding guitar virtuoso, but what sets him apart from other similarly talented chappies is his ability to rein himself in and play a short solo when required or a long one as necessary. The rest of the band is just as accomplished and vocalist Emiliano Germani has a pleasing style although some Neanderthals out there may well be put off by the fairly pronounced Italian accent. 

For some reason known only unto themselves Moonlight Comedy refer to themselves as, “Actors of the comedy at the moonlight,” hence the bizarre names to your right. That said, there’s loads to enjoy if your bag is progressive rock. Metamorfosi, for example, veers straight down the road marked “fusion” and reeks of quality. 

Rather like the recent Sun Caged CD on the same label, I feel that, at times, Dorothy is a little emotionally clinical rather than purely emotional (Jesus, how pretentious am I?) but that is often the way with prog. Given the choice between the two, I would plump for Sun Caged but as I now own them both, I’m a very happy bunny!

Let us know your views on 'Dorothy'

Track Listing

Int(r)o Desire & Whisper
Solar Eclipse
Fallin’ Under
The Sea And Time Of Mars
Metamorfosi
Lunar Eclipse
Into Whispers & Desire
Imperfect Mind
Dust Of The Past
…And Why Not?
Side Effects

Line Up

Emiliano Germani – Vocals
Gianluigi Farina – Keyboards
Simone Fiorletta – Guitars
Armando Pizzuti – Bass
Andrea Scala – Drums